Apple Rolls Out Age Verification for Texas App Store Users
Apple began age verification for Texas App Store users on June 4, 2026.
Why it matters: Legal mandates like Texas' App Store Accountability Act push tech companies to adopt compliance tools, impacting app developers, legal advisers, and compliance teams.
- Texas App Store Accountability Act signed on May 27, 2025, requires age verification and parental consent for minors.
- The law took effect January 1, 2026, but was blocked in December 2025 by a federal judge citing First Amendment concerns.
- In May 2026, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to go into effect, lifting the injunction.
- Apple requires Texas users to prove age when creating accounts and mandates parental consent for those under 18 via Family Sharing groups, starting June 4, 2026.
Apple has started implementing age verification technology for users accessing the App Store from Texas. The move follows the Texas App Store Accountability Act, signed into law on May 27, 2025, which mandates app stores verify the ages of users to prevent minors from downloading apps or making in-app purchases without parental consent.
The law took effect on January 1, 2026, but was temporarily blocked in December 2025 after a federal judge raised concerns about First Amendment rights in blocking the law. Nonetheless, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that injunction in May 2026, allowing the law to stand.
Starting June 4, 2026, Apple users in Texas must confirm whether they are 18 or older during Apple account creation. Those under 18 must join a Family Sharing group where parents give explicit consent for all app downloads and in-app transactions. Apple is also updating its Declared Age Range API to enforce these requirements.
Judge Robert Pitman analogized the law to "requiring every bookstore to verify the age of every customer at the door," highlighting its scope in regulating access based on age. For tech law practitioners, app developers, and compliance officers, Apple's quick adoption of the mandated verification highlights how state regulatory actions are rapidly translating to tech compliance operations.
By the numbers:
- May 27, 2025 — Texas law signed regulating age verification in app stores
- January 1, 2026 — Texas law took effect
- June 4, 2026 — Apple starts enforcing age verification in Texas
Yes, but: The exact methods Apple uses for verifying age and managing parental consent details have not been publicly disclosed yet.