Millions of iPhone owners in the UK will be asked to verify they are over 18 in order to access several Apple services, following pressure from the UK government on smartphone makers to do more to protect children online.
The UK is believed to be the first European market where Apple is rolling out its new age controls, which are designed to ensure that only adults can download apps rated on its App Store as being suitable for over-18s.
Following an iOS software update that was pushed out on Wednesday, adults who do not verify their age will face restrictions on web browsing, as well as “communication safety” checks to their messages and FaceTime video calls, which are designed to detect nude photos and videos.
Many digital services, including social media apps and porn sites, have rolled out age verification in the UK following last year’s introduction of new rules under the Online Safety Act that impose tougher controls on what children can see and do online.
App stores and mobile operating systems are not covered by the Online Safety Act, but Ofcom, the UK media and telecoms regulator, welcomed Apple’s move on Wednesday.
“Apple’s 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,” Ofcom said.
The UK government has pushed smartphone makers to do more to block explicit images on phones but have not yet made it mandatory for Apple and Google to do so.
However, some British iPhone owners are concerned about potential security and privacy risks associated with the proliferation of age checks.
“Myself and everyone I know… are doing everything to bypass these over-reaching age checks,” said one Reddit user in a discussion about Apple’s update. “I definitely do not want to grant my OS permission to decide that I’m happy to share my proven age status, under any situation.”
Apple did not respond to a request for comment about which services its new age checks will cover.
After upgrading to the latest version of iOS 26.4, iPhone owners in the UK will be presented with several options to prove their age, including checking the credit card stored in their digital wallet or taking a photo of their driving license or passport. Apple can also use the length of time that digital accounts have been active to confirm a customer’s age.
After installing the update, an on-screen notice tells users: “UK law requires you to confirm you are an adult to change content restrictions.”
Failure to complete the age check will limit which apps the user can access or download, though Apple’s support pages do not specify all of the affected services.
“Adults will have to confirm that they’re 18 or older to use certain services or features, or take certain actions on their account,” an Apple support page states.
Ofcom said it had “worked closely with Apple” and other services to protect users.
“This will build on the strong foundations of the Online Safety Act, from widespread age checks that keep young people away from harmful content, to blocking high-risk sites and stepping up action against child sexual abuse material,” the UK regulator said.
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