Apple is giving its App Store a much-needed upgrade when it comes to how age ratings are handled. In a move that could make life easier for parents and more transparent for users, the company has introduced new age categories to its existing system. Starting soon, you will see apps rated not just as 4 plus or 9 plus but also as 13 plus, 16 plus, and 18 plus, offering more precise guidance on what content an app may include.
These new labels are part of a larger update that Apple announced alongside its latest round of public beta releases for iOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, and other platforms. According to Apple, developers must respond to a new questionnaire through App Store Connect that assesses app features like violent content, medical or wellness elements, in-app AI usage, and more. Based on these answers, the system will assign the appropriate rating.
What makes this change even more significant is Apple’s plan to factor in region-specific standards. That means apps might receive different age ratings depending on the country or region where they are available. This is Apple’s way of respecting global norms while still enforcing a consistent framework across the App Store.
While the updated ratings will automatically apply based on the developer’s responses, Apple also gives developers the choice to manually opt for a higher rating if they believe the automated one is not sufficient. The goal is to strike a balance between automated moderation and developer discretion.
The new ratings will begin appearing across Apple’s ecosystem, including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26. But this is not just a cosmetic change. Developers who fail to complete the new questionnaire by January 31, 2026, will not be able to submit further updates to their apps.
This move signals Apple’s ongoing push toward more responsible digital spaces. With increasing scrutiny on online platforms and app ecosystems, offering clearer and region-specific age ratings is a step in the right direction.
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