Apple Now Makes Age Verification Mandatory for Using the App Store in Texas

Apple is now requiring users of new Apple accounts in Texas to verify that they’re over 18 to use the App Store. The new age assurance requirement is going into effect in the US state today, June 4, 2026, to comply with Texas law SB 2420 (via MacRumors)

The Texas App Store Accountability Act was initially set to come into force on January 1, 2026, but a Texas federal judge blocked it in December. However, a court ruling later reversed that decision, which is why new Apple accounts in Texas now have to respect the age assurance law.

In practice, people in Texas creating a new Apple account can confirm that they’re an adult by using a credit card or by scanning a government-issued ID. Debit cards aren’t eligible, and Apple won’t store credit card or ID information unless users choose to save it for other purposes.

With the new law, users in Texas under 18 will need to have their Apple account join a Family Sharing group, where a parent or guardian will be able to approve or revoke all App Store downloads, app purchases, and in-app transactions. App developers are also invited to use new APIs to provide age-appropriate experiences and safeguard privacy in their apps and games.

The new age assurance law also applies to the Google Play Store, and Google detailed the new APIs and tools developers can use to make their apps provide age-appropriate experiences to Android users in Texas and other states that passed verification laws.