Under the updated policy, all apps offering dating or romantic relationship features must carry an 18+ age rating. Starting November 16, developers will be required to provide new content descriptors so their apps’ age ratings accurately reflect those features.
Apple is tightening its App Store rules to restrict minors’ access to dating apps and AI companions that offer sexual or romantic content, the company said in an announcement to developers.
As of last summer, leading AI companion apps had collectively recorded 220 million downloads worldwide across Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Starting November 16, 2026, App Store Connect will include new content descriptors to help ensure your app’s age ratings accurately reflect its features and are in accordance with local regulations. The changes build on Apple’s broader child safety measures, including the global rollout of age assurance technology, expanded parental controls and additional protections for younger users. Apple is also introducing a content descriptor requiring developers to disclose whether their apps share a user’s real-world location with another person or group. Such features can raise privacy concerns, particularly when users are unaware their location is being shared. When completing the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect, you’ll need to declare whether your app includes: In Brazil, local regulations require an A16 rating for Shared Location and an A18 rating for Dating and Relationships. If you believe your app qualifies for a lower age rating in Brazil — for example, if your app provides location sharing specifically designed for parents and children — you can request an official rating directly from Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP/Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública). Once verified, the official rating will display on the App Store in Brazil.