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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