July 24, 2025 – Apple has rolled out a more granular age rating system in App Store Connect to enhance content safety and clarity. The updated framework expands age bands beyond the existing 4+ and 9+ tiers, adding new categories: 13+, 16+, and 18+. Alongside this, developers must now respond to new questionnaire items to identify sensitive content—including app features like AI assistants—that could impact assigned ratings. 

What’s New in Age Rating?

• Expanded Age Ratings

  The age scale now includes 13+, 16+, and 18+, offering finer-grained classification aligned with regional standards. Rating assignments vary by country or region. 

• Mandatory Questionnaire

  All apps and games must now answer questions covering sensitive content elements such as in-app controls, wellness topics, violent themes, and AI-powered features. These responses are used to help calculate a more accurate age rating. 

• Manual Rating Override

  Developers may override Apple’s automated rating if their app enforces stricter minimum age requirements after completing the new questionnaire. Changes are managed via the App Information section in App Store Connect. 

• Automatic Updates Across Platforms

  Apple has retroactively updated age ratings for all existing apps. These new ratings are visible on devices running beta versions of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, tvOS 26, visionOS 26, and watchOS 26. 

Why It Matters

Apple emphasizes that features like chatbots and AI assistants must be evaluated for potential mature or sensitive content, even in apps that appear innocuous at first glance. This ensures that the rating reflects actual user experience rather than just a surface-level assessment. 

Timeline & Compliance

To avoid disruptions in app updates, developers must submit the completed questionnaire for each app by January 31, 2026. Missing this deadline may delay your ability to publish updates in App Store Connect. 

Bottom line: Apple’s new rating system helps developers better align their apps with appropriate age groups and requires careful review of app content, including AI-related features. Make sure to complete the updated questionnaire before the January 31, 2026, deadline to keep your app update flow uninterrupted.