Apple has started asking iPhone users in the UK to verify their age after updating to iOS 26.4, and this change affects how users access certain services, download apps, and manage content restrictions on their devices.
The company says users must confirm they are over 18 to continue using specific features, and if they do not complete this step, Apple will automatically apply stricter safety settings across the system, including limits on web content and message filtering.
How Apple Verifies Age
Users in the UK will see a prompt after installing iOS 26.4 asking them to prove they are adults, and Apple gives multiple ways to complete this process depending on what information is already linked to the account.
- Scan a passport or driving licence
- Verify using a credit card
- Use an existing payment method linked to the Apple account
- Allow Apple to estimate age based on account history
If a user skips verification, Apple restricts access to some apps and enables child safety protections such as blocking adult websites and blurring sensitive images in Messages and FaceTime.
Apple explains the requirement clearly in its support documentation.
âAdults will have to confirm that theyâre 18 or older to use certain services or features, or take certain actions on their account.â
Reason Behind the Age Checks
The move follows pressure from the UK government to improve online safety for children, especially after new rules pushed platforms to take stronger action against harmful content.
The Financial Times reports that millions of iPhone users in the UK will now go through this process, even though Appleâs App Store and iOS are not directly covered under the Online Safety Act.
The regulator has already welcomed this step.
âAppleâs decision that the UK will be one of the first countries in the world to receive new child safety protections on devices is a real win for children and families,â Ofcom said.
Changes for Users
After completing the update, users who do not verify their age will notice tighter controls across their device, and this includes limits on app downloads, web browsing restrictions, and added communication safety checks that scan for explicit content.
Apple also shows a clear message during setup.
âUK law requires you to confirm you are an adult to change content restrictions.â
At the same time, some users have raised privacy concerns, especially around sharing ID or payment data for age verification, while others are actively looking for ways to bypass the system.
Apple has not shared full details about which services require age checks, but the rollout signals a broader shift toward stricter content controls at the operating system level.
I wouldn’t give those data even if I had them – it’s preposterous and Orwellian. Apart from that – who can guarantee that the next big data leak won’t spread everything around – as it happened before? Time to look for other options. Apple just burned the bridge.
I am 66 been a loyal apple fan for over 20 years had a apple account for 19 years. I had my driving license taken away due to health reasons, I do not have a credit card and do not want one. I have contacted apple support many times and offered a facetime call to verify my age apple support point blank refused, Was advised by apple support a number of years ago to turn on content lock if I did not want in app purchases, Now due to the update I am unable to delete browsing history or turn off content lock even with pin number. I now own a iphone brick the device is completely useless. Apple Support lacks common sense. I do not want to access adult content online like porn sites. I do want to watch normal adult entertainment. However with content lock I am unable. I won’t be buying another apple device again. Apple has won the battle but not the war they will lose loyal customers.
Iâm 70 years old and do not travel so my passport is out of date,I donât drive so no license, Iâve never had a credit card and donât have a Iâd card
I have a apple iphone,iPad, Apple Watch so they have been happy all these years to take my money but now telling me because of there criteria how can I prove that Iâm over 18
I would like to know whether my previous dealings with Apple are enough to prove myself before doing the upgrade. The general move to digital id is eventually going to be a governmental control of our behaviour, and given our governmentâs abismal record in wrecking aspects of my life and my country I would prefer to maintain a good level of self autonomy in my dealings.
Iâve done the update but donât have credit card ,photo Iâd and my passport is out of date, this is ridiculous as Iâm 70 years old not happy with this update.
Probably like millions of others I or the rest of the family will not be doing it. And if Apple push it Iâll just remove every Apple device in my household.
I have lived outside the UK for over 12 years, yet it still requires me to verify my age. It won’t recognise my ID card, neither my bank card. If I use my UK bank card is says that my Post Code is invalid. Maybe time to revert to iOS 26.3. Yes, I am over 18 years old
Your iPhone won’t let you downgrade from iOS 26.4 to 26.3. This isn’t specific to version 26.4, it’s generally impossible to downgrade iOS from *any* version after updating.
Cannot verify age, donât have a credit card, photo card driving license or photo id, so will not be updating phoneâĤ
what kind of an adult doesn’t have any of those things? You need photoID to vote.
Yeah. Nice one, mate.
Tell him heâs not a proper adult. Thatâll teach him for saying something on the internet.