Apple just unveiled how it'll comply with Texas' controversial age verification law, and the changes are more sweeping than expected. Starting January 1, 2026, all new Apple Account users must confirm they're over 18, while anyone under 18 gets locked into mandatory Family Sharing groups with parental consent gates for every app download and purchase.
Apple is fundamentally changing how iPhones work in Texas, and three more states are coming next. The company announced today its compliance plan for Texas' SB2420 age verification law, revealing a system that'll require every new Apple Account holder to prove their age starting January 1, 2026.
The mechanics are stricter than many expected. Anyone under 18 won't just need parental permission - they'll be forced into Apple's Family Sharing ecosystem with no opt-out. Parents become gatekeepers for every single app download and in-app purchase, creating what amounts to a walled garden within the walled garden.
But it's the developer requirements that could reshape the App Store entirely. Apple is updating its existing Declared Age Range API "in the coming months" to handle the new Texas requirements, forcing developers to integrate age-checking directly into their apps. Even more significant: a new API launching "later this year" will let developers trigger fresh parental consent requests whenever they make "significant changes" to their apps.
That last detail matters more than it sounds. Every major app update, new feature rollout, or privacy policy change could potentially require another round of parental approvals. For developers, it's a compliance nightmare. For parents, it's a constant stream of permission requests.
Google is facing the same pressures and has already published guidance for Play Store developers. The search giant's approach appears similar to Apple's, though with less fanfare about the technical implementation.
The timing isn't coincidental. Utah passed similar legislation earlier this year, followed by Louisiana. Apple confirms "similar requirements will come into effect later next year" in both states, meaning this Texas rollout is essentially a national beta test.
