If your iPhone asks you to confirm that you’re an adult, Apple accepts a credit card that belongs to you or a scan of your ID. Debit cards and gift cards don’t work, and you can check where you stand in Settings under your name > Personal Information > Age Confirmation.
Apple explains the prompt in a support article, “If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult,” published September 14. The reason it gives is legal: “This is required by law in some states, countries and regions.”
When the prompt appears
Depending on where you live, Apple says you might be asked to confirm your age when you:
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
- create a new Apple Account
- update the software on your device
- try to change certain safety settings
- try to download or purchase apps with an age rating of 18+
Because software updates are on that list, the request can turn up after an update. Apple doesn’t say that iOS 27 itself triggers it, and the article isn’t tied to any iOS version. Setting up a new iPhone 18 Pro with a brand-new Apple Account also counts.
The ways Apple lets you confirm
The options you see depend on your state, country or region. Apple lists these:
- Your existing Apple Account. Apple might look at information associated with your account, “including whether you have a credit card on file or how long you’ve had an Apple Account.”
- A credit card. It has to belong to you. You can add it as a payment method for your Apple Account, but you don’t have to, and if you don’t, Apple says “your credit card isn’t stored.” Debit cards aren’t eligible.
- A scan of your ID. A driver’s license or other government-issued ID works. Apple lists a passport as available in Australia, Singapore, the UK, and Texas in the United States.
- A Digital ID in Apple Wallet. Apple says one created using a U.S. passport can also be used, regardless of your state, country or region.
For an ID scan, Apple recommends a well-lit place, with indoors working best. Put the ID against a neutral background, avoid glare, and make sure the image is clear and in focus before you submit it. Some IDs need additional review, and if you submit for it, you’ll get a notification when it’s complete.
What happens to your ID image
Apple says it and its service providers use the image to confirm you’re an adult and to prevent fraud. “The image of your ID is kept for a short period of time to complete this process, after which it’s deleted.” Apple doesn’t give a number of days.
If you’d rather not upload an ID, a credit card is the other route, and it isn’t stored unless you choose to add it to your account.
Check your status
- Open the Settings app (System Settings on a Mac).
- Tap your name, then tap Personal Information.
- Tap Age Confirmation.
If you skip it, or it won’t go through
Saying no doesn’t lock you out. “You can continue to use your device,” Apple says, but you’ll need to confirm before you can turn off certain safety settings or download apps rated 18+. Later, you might see a message in Settings offering to confirm, or get the prompt again the next time you try one of those actions.
Apple’s iOS 27 guide names one more place it matters. The note on Journal’s Apple Intelligence writing prompts says “You must be an adult to use this feature” and points to the same support article.
If confirmation fails, Apple suggests three fixes:
- Update your device to the latest software.
- Use a supported method: a credit card that belongs to you, or your passport (where available), driver’s license or government-issued ID. Debit cards and gift cards aren’t supported.
- Try another device. “Some confirmation methods are available only on iPhone and iPad,” so if you’re on a Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV or Apple Vision Pro, try your iPhone or iPad.
If you’re not an adult, the path is different. Depending on where you live, you may need to join a Family Sharing group with an adult who has confirmed their age before you can download apps or change certain safety settings, and some actions might not be available until you turn 18.
