Have you ever downloaded an app for your child and later found out that it shares location or has dating features? Apple wants to fix that. The company has announced New content descriptions for App Store Connect that make age ratings more accurate and consistent with local laws.
What are the new age rating labels?
Starting November 16, 2026, developers will have to answer two new questions in the age rating questionnaire. The first step asks if the app offers shared location, which means it shares your real-world location with another person or group.
The second is about dating and relationships. These include apps that connect real people romantically, as well as virtual companions that engage users with romantic or sexual content. It also includes the AI companion apps.
Developers must answer these questions when submitting an app update or completing their age rating questionnaire, and each app must complete them by January 12, 2027.
How will this change what you see in the App Store?
Every app with dating and relationship features receives a minimum age rating of 18+. Shared Location is more relaxed, and in some regions an app’s minimum age rating may not change at all.
Brazil is a different story. Local regulations there require an A16 rating for co-location and an A18 rating for dating and relationships. If developers believe their app deserves a lower rating, such as a location sharing app for parents and children, they can request an official rating from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
This is a welcome change for parents. The next time you check an app’s age rating, it should tell you a lot more about what the app actually does.
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