Apple Requires Age Verification for New Texas App Store Accounts
*Starting June 4, new users in the state must confirm they are over 18 before downloading apps or making purchases.*
The Change
Apple has updated its App Store rules for Texas. New Apple Accounts created in the state now face mandatory age assurance. Users under 18 also require parent or guardian consent for downloads, in-app purchases, and major app changes.
The requirement stems from the Texas App Store Accountability Act. The law passed in May 2025 and takes effect on June 4, 2026. Apple posted the details on its developer site ahead of the deadline.
Prior Position
Apple had objected to the measure during its passage. The company is still complying once enforcement begins. The rules apply only to new accounts opened in Texas. Existing accounts are not mentioned in the policy update.
Both Apple and Google face the same obligations under the statute. The law targets how app stores handle accounts belonging to minors.
Limited Scope
The verification step covers three specific actions: initial app downloads, in-app purchases, and significant account-linked changes. Apple has not released further technical details on the verification methods it will accept.
No data on expected user impact or implementation costs appears in the announcements from Apple or the state.
Why It Matters
The move shows how state-level rules on minors and digital purchases are forcing platform changes even when companies resist. Developers and users in Texas will encounter extra steps at account creation that do not exist in most other states. Similar laws elsewhere could produce a patchwork of verification requirements that complicate account management for both companies and individuals.
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Sources:
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