Apple is tightening its age rating policies for apps featuring dating or romantic AI companions, as well as those with location-sharing features. Starting November 16, developers must explicitly disclose whether their app includes “Shared Location” or “Dating and Relationships” when filling out the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect. Apps in the Dating and Relationships category will automatically receive a minimum age rating of 18+. For Shared Location, the age rating may vary by region. All apps will need to comply with the new questionnaire by January 12, 2027.
Redefining what “Dating and Relationships” covers
The new rules target apps that allow connections between real people for dating purposes, as well as virtual companions that engage users with romantic or sexual content. If an app includes either element, it must declare its category and accept that it will carry a rating restricting access to adults only (18+).
Location sharing and regional nuances
Apps that let users share real-world location with others fall under the “Shared Location” disclosure. In most regions this won’t necessarily raise the minimum age rating, though in Brazil there’s a specific framework that does: in that country, location-sharing apps face a minimum age rating of 16, while those with dating or relationship features are rated 18. Developers in Brazil may petition for a lower rating in certain cases, such as child-parent location tracking, by going through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Implementation timeline and developer obligations
From November 16, every app update or newly submitted app must address the new questions around age ratings and content categories. Developers must complete the updated questionnaire, declaring whether their app fits into one or both of the definitions. Full compliance across the App Store is required by January 12, 2027. Failure to meet these standards could mean age misclassifications or potential removal.
This move follows growing concerns over how dating-style apps and AI companions are used, especially by younger audiences. By making age ratings more consistent and explicit, the company aims to ensure that apps with romantic or sexual dimensions are appropriately restricted. Developers will need to audit existing features and ensure any content or virtual interactions that simulate romance are properly disclosed.
What this means going forward: Apple’s change reflects an increasing emphasis on content transparency and protecting younger users from access to mature themes. It places the responsibility squarely on developers to self-declare sensitive content – something the platform has pushed before, but now with tighter definitions and harder age boundaries. As AI-based companionship features proliferate, this could reshape how apps offer virtual interaction, possibly limiting features or enforcing stricter moderation. Users should expect clearer labels and more consistency in what “dating” or “romantic companion” really means on the App Store.
This isn’t just a policy update—it’s a signal. Apple is laying down rules to align its platforms with rising concerns around age appropriateness, privacy, and responsible AI. The biggest questions ahead concern enforcement: how rigorously the guidelines will be policed, what appeals processes developers will have, and whether this will prompt similar moves from other platforms or regulators in the digital romance space.
