App Store Age Verification Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, the mobile app industry is undergoing a significant shift. Four states – Texas, Utah, Louisiana, and California – have enacted laws requiring app stores and developers to verify user ages and implement safeguards based on age categories.
The Timeline Is Now
Texas led the charge. Beginning January 1, 2026, Texas’s SB2420 law requires app stores to verify ages. Users creating new Apple Accounts in Texas must confirm whether they’re 18 or older, and minors must join Family Sharing groups with parental consent for all downloads and in-app purchases.
The effective dates for other states are: May 7, 2026 (Utah) and July 1, 2026 (Louisiana). California’s law includes a six-month grace period for existing accounts.
How Age Verification Works
The laws require app stores to use “commercially reasonable methods” to verify users into four age categories: under 13, 13-15, 16-17, and 18+. This can include age gates, commercially available verification methods, or state-approved processes.
For minors, developers must request age verification or parental consent at download, purchase, or when implementing significant app changes. Parental consent is required for children and teenagers to access certain apps.
What Developers Must Do
Apple has released its Declared Age Range API and Significant Change APIs, while Google’s Play Age Signals API is now available in beta. Developers must integrate with these tools to receive age information from app stores and adjust their apps accordingly.
Legal Challenges Ahead
As of October 2025, the Texas law faced constitutional challenges from the Computer and Communications Industry Association, with unclear implications for enforcement. The industry continues to monitor these developments while preparing for compliance.
For app developers, the time to act is now. Integration with Google Play’s new age verification system and Apple’s age assurance APIs is essential to meet the January 1, 2026 deadline for Texas and prepare for upcoming state requirements.