New App Store Connect Content Descriptors for Age Ratings
Developers must update age rating questionnaires with new location and relationship descriptors by 2027.
1New Mandatory Content Declarations
Starting November 16, 2026, Apple introduces specific content descriptors in App Store Connect. Developers must declare if their applications feature shared location services or dating and relationship functionalities. These updates ensure that age ratings align with evolving local regulations and provide users with greater transparency regarding app capabilities and potential risks.
2Defining Shared Location Features
The shared location descriptor applies to apps that enable the sharing of real-world coordinates with other individuals or groups. While this declaration is mandatory, it may not impact the minimum age rating in every region. Developers must accurately assess their app's core functionality to determine if this specific descriptor applies to their product.
3Dating and Relationship Criteria
The dating and relationships descriptor covers features facilitating connections between real people or interactions with virtual companions involving sexual or romantic content. Apps categorized under this descriptor will automatically receive a minimum age rating of 18+. This change reflects a broader effort to standardize safety protocols for social and romantic discovery applications.
4Strict Implementation Deadlines
Developers must complete these declarations during any app update submission or when modifying existing age rating questionnaires. The final deadline for all existing applications to have these declarations fully updated is January 12, 2027. Failure to comply may impact the app's availability or status within the App Store ecosystem during future reviews.
5Specific Regulatory Requirements Brazil
Brazil enforces distinct local regulations regarding these content types. Shared location features require an A16 rating, while dating and relationship functionalities mandate an A18 rating. These specific requirements necessitate careful attention from developers targeting the Brazilian market to ensure their apps remain compliant with the local legal framework and store policies.
6Requesting Official Rating Exemptions
Developers who believe their app qualifies for a lower age rating in Brazil can seek an official determination. For instance, apps offering location sharing exclusively for parent-child safety may apply directly to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. Once verified, this official rating will be displayed on the Brazilian App Store.
7Operational Impact for Developers
The requirement to update questionnaires during every submission adds a layer of compliance to the standard release cycle. Teams should audit their current feature sets immediately to identify if they trigger these new descriptors. Proactive assessment prevents last-minute submission rejections or delays when the January 12, 2027, deadline for all apps arrives.
8Strategic Compliance and Safety
These updates signify Apple's ongoing commitment to aligning digital storefronts with international regulatory standards. By standardizing how location and social features are disclosed, the platform aims to protect younger users while providing developers with clear guidelines. Maintaining accurate age ratings is now a critical component of the overall app lifecycle and store maintenance.