Apple is tightening its App Store rules to keep minors away from dating apps and AI companions that offer sexual or romantic content. The company told developers on Monday that all apps with dating or romantic relationship features must now carry an 18+ age rating, according to TechCrunch.
The change fits a broader push by Apple to strengthen child safety, following the global rollout of its age assurance technology and new parental controls. Starting November 16, developers must add new content descriptors so their apps' age ratings accurately reflect their features.
AI companion apps in the crosshairs
The policy could hit AI companion apps hardest, especially those where romantic or sexual features are only one part of the experience. Services like Character.AI and Replika let users create AI friends, lovers, boyfriends, girlfriends and fantasy characters, and they often attract younger audiences.
The scale is significant: as of last summer, top AI companion apps across the Apple App Store and Google Play had been downloaded 220 million times globally. Apple's move also follows xAI's launch last year of 3D animated AI companions that let users unlock NSFW capabilities.
- Dating and romantic relationship apps: mandatory 18+ rating.
- AI companions offering sexual or romantic content: also 18+.
- Apps sharing a user's real-world location with others: must indicate this feature.
- Compliance deadline: November 16, 2026, with new content descriptors required.
