Apple enforces Texas age verification rules following federal court ruling
New accounts in the state must verify age, with strict parental consent protocols for minors, as legal challenges to the measure are lifted.
Apple has commenced mandatory age verification for new App Store accounts in Texas, aligning with state law SB 2420. The measure took effect on 4 June 2026, following a federal appeals court ruling that lifted a previous injunction. Under the new protocol, users under 18 must join a Family Sharing group, requiring parental or guardian consent for app downloads, significant updates, and in-app purchases. Developers operating in the state are required to support the revocation of such consent and may utilise Apple’s Declared Age Range API.
The implementation follows a timeline where Texas Governor signed SB 2420 into law in May 2025. A federal judge issued an injunction blocking the measure in December 2025, delaying its planned effective date of 1 January 2026. The recent appeals court decision reversed that block, allowing the law to take provisional effect while litigation regarding its constitutionality continues.
For users creating new Apple accounts in Texas, age verification is now a prerequisite. Parents or guardians must provide explicit consent for minors to download applications, receive significant updates, or conduct in-app purchases. The legislation also mandates that developers support the revocation of parental consent at any time, ensuring guardians retain control over access.
Apple has established groundwork for handling geographically tied regulatory requirements through previous international implementations, including age verification for iCloud accounts in the UK in March. The company’s approach to the Texas mandate reflects the broader impact of state-level age verification laws passed across the United States over the past year.
The legal landscape for SB 2420 remains fluid, with the law’s long-term viability uncertain pending a final constitutional ruling. Meanwhile, a federal version of the Act is progressing through Congress, which could impose similar age verification requirements nationwide, potentially expanding the scope of these compliance measures beyond state borders.
