Apple activates Texas App Store age assurance measures after appeals court decision

Apple has begun implementing new age assurance requirements for App Store users in Texas after a federal appeals court allowed the state’s App Store Accountability Act (SB 2420) to take effect.

In a notice to developers, Apple confirmed that the new rules are now active and will apply to new Apple Accounts created in Texas. The changes introduce additional age verification requirements and parental consent mechanisms for minors using the App Store.

The move follows a recent court decision that lifted an earlier injunction blocking enforcement of the Texas law. As a result, Apple is now required to verify whether new account holders are adults or minors before granting access to certain App Store features.

Under the updated framework, users identified as minors must obtain parental or guardian approval before downloading apps, making in-app purchases, or accessing significant changes within apps. Parents and guardians will also be able to revoke permissions previously granted to a child account.

Apple said developers should review how their apps interact with the new system and ensure they are prepared for the changes. The company highlighted several tools available to support compliance, including the Declared Age Range API, which enables developers to request age-category information while preserving user privacy.

The company also pointed developers to PermissionKit’s Significant Change API, which can be used when notifying users about major updates or modifications to an app. Apple noted that developers remain responsible for determining whether a change qualifies as significant under the new requirements.

The Texas law is part of a broader trend toward stricter online safety regulations for minors. Legislators in several U.S. states, as well as regulators in international markets, have introduced measures aimed at increasing parental oversight of app downloads, digital purchases, and access to age-restricted content.

For developers operating in Texas, the latest update marks one of the most significant App Store compliance changes tied to age verification and parental consent requirements to date. The changes are now in effect for eligible users and developers across the state.