Apple adds new App Store age rating rules for dating and AI companion apps

Apple is changing age rating requirements in the App Store. According to Global Dating Insights, starting November 16, 2026, developers will have to declare whether their apps include dating and relationship features and whether they allow users to share their real-world location. The new rules also cover AI companions that hold romantic or sexual conversations with users.

What changes for developers

Apps classified under Dating and Relationships will receive a minimum age rating of 18+. The new classification separately covers AI companions that engage in romantic or sexual conversations. Developers must complete the declarations in App Store Connect by January 12, 2027. The source does not specify how responses will be verified or what consequences follow from an incorrect declaration.

Requirements in Brazil

According to Global Dating Insights, local regulations in Brazil set their own ratings. Dating and relationship apps require an A18 rating, and apps with shared-location features require an A16 rating. The source does not explain how these requirements relate to Apple's new system in all countries.

Timeline

The first key date is November 16, 2026, when the new declaration requirements take effect. The deadline for completing declarations in App Store Connect is January 12, 2027. The article was published on November 3, 2026, and relies on a single source, so the details should be checked against Apple's official developer documentation.