Apple is introducing a mandatory 18+ classification for dating apps and AI companions that offer romantic or sexual conversations. The policy covers both services designed to connect people with one another and apps that present an AI chatbot as a virtual boyfriend or girlfriend.
From November 16, 2026, developers must disclose those features through a new “Dating and Relationships” category in App Store Connect. Apple is also adding a “Shared Location” category for apps that let users share their real-time location with individuals or groups.
The location-sharing declaration can affect an app’s minimum age rating in certain markets. In Brazil, for example, apps with this functionality require at least a 16+ rating. Developers have until January 12, 2027, to complete the declarations for all apps.
The move follows wider scrutiny of AI companion services and their effect on younger users. In October 2025, Character.AI said it would remove open-ended conversations with AI characters for users under 18, while retaining other creative tools, citing concerns raised by parents, experts and authorities over chat content and potential effects on teenagers.
Apple’s 18+ label does not necessarily mean every download will require an identity check. It does, however, allow parental controls such as Screen Time content and app restrictions to filter these services by age. The policy sets a clearer App Store boundary for apps that turn conversational AI into a romantic partner, ahead of the November 2026 implementation date.
