Apple prepares developers for Texas parental consent law with new app age verification and consent APIs

Apple is rolling out new tools and technical requirements for app developers ahead of the implementation of the Texas App Store Accountability Act (SB2420), which is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The law introduces new age verification and parental consent rules for mobile apps distributed in Texas, affecting both users and developers.

The company outlined the changes in a newly published set of developer resources and in the beta release of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2, where the required APIs are now available for testing. Apple emphasized that the updates are intended to help developers comply with state regulations, while also noting that it remains concerned about the privacy implications of mandatory age checks for routine app downloads.

Starting in 2026, Apple will require users in Texas creating new Apple accounts to confirm whether they are over 18. For minors, parents or guardians will need to grant approval before apps can be downloaded, in-app purchases can occur, or major features within an app can be used.

Developers will not receive a user’s exact age, but instead will use the new Declared Age Range API to receive an age category:

• Under 13
• 13–15
• 16–17
• Over 18

The API will also provide information on how age was verified, such as credit card or government ID checks.

Under the Texas law, certain app updates or feature modifications may require renewed parental consent. Developers are responsible for determining what constitutes a “significant change,” though the state defines a change in age rating as one qualifying example.

To support this, Apple is offering the Significant Change API within the PermissionKit framework. When invoked, it prompts the child user to request new parental approval. Developers can restrict access to the app or specific functionality until consent is obtained.

The law also gives parents the ability to withdraw approval at any time. If consent is revoked, the app will be blocked on the minor’s device. Apple will send server-side notifications to developers when this happens so app systems can respond accordingly.

All APIs are available for sandbox testing now. Apple has advised developers to implement and validate compliance before submitting apps aligned with the release candidates of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.

Apple also noted that similar legal requirements are expected soon in other regions, including Utah, Louisiana, and Brazil, with further developer guidance planned.