Apple’s App Retailer age score system is getting an overhaul, the corporate introduced on Thursday. Customers will quickly see extra granular age scores for apps and video games on the App Retailer, as soon as builders undertake the brand new scores. The adjustments have been unveiled on the identical day that the iPhone maker launched public beta variations of its upcoming working system updates together with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS. Apple says builders should undertake the scores for his or her apps by the top of January 2026.

Apple Says it Will Use Area-Particular Age Scores 

Based on an replace posted on the Apple Developer weblog, the corporate has added 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings for apps on the App Retailer, which have joined the prevailing 4+ and 9+ age scores. These further classes will enable builders to point out customers (together with dad and mom) a greater thought about apps they’re downloading on their units.

Whereas Apple’s web site lists the 5 age scores listed above, the corporate says that it’ll assign scores primarily based on completely different international locations and areas, relying on various “suitability requirements” world wide, and particulars can be found on the company’s developer support website. Builders should reply a set of questions for every app that’s obtainable on the App Retailer, and the scores for his or her apps might be assigned primarily based on their responses.

These questions are associated to an app’s in-app controls, app options, content material that features violent themes, and whether or not it covers medical or wellness matters. Nonetheless, builders can even set a better age score manually, if the corporate assigns a decrease score.

Apple says that builders should additionally reply the questionnaire primarily based on how varied options constructed into their app perform, together with ones that supply AI options. The corporate additionally says apps should adjust to laws from varied areas, such because the US and the EU.

The brand new scores might be displayed iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26. In an effort to give builders time to finish the questionnaire for every app, Apple has set a deadline of January 31, 2026, after which they will not be capable to submit app updates for his or her apps.

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