Apple will make age checks for iPhone and iPad users mandatory in the UK to access “certain services”, which will be initiated after an Apple software update iOS 26.4. Users will be asked to confirm they are over 18, which they can do by presenting their identity in a number of ways to enable features or change content restrictions.
Those who do not verify their age will face automatic safety limits, restricted internet browsing and blurred or blocked explicit images across apps. Ofcom hails the development as a move for privacy for our children and families, who have been battling against big tech companies’ content, what is available freely on the internet without restriction, and algootrithms – particuarly of social media – to enforce good parenting controls. Now, the good parenting of millions can be backed up and supported by tech companies taking the lead on age parameters for their services and blocking access to minors.
The software update will trigger a message saying: “UK law requires you to confirm you are an adult to change content restrictions.”
Ofcom has welcomed the change as a step forward for child safety, after it added new rules to the Online Safety Act in 2025.
Users can verify their age through methods such as credit cards, driving licences or existing account history if they are old enough. Children 13 and below will be blocked entirely from setting up accounts without their parents’ knowledge.
Regulator Ofcom is overseeing enforcement of strict bans for under-13s in the UK by approaching companies such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox and X about the standard of their age checks.
