Texas Age Verification Law Spurs Major Apple iOS 26.2 Update

Apple is rolling out a significant software update to comply with a new Texas law. The company announced new age verification tools for its App Store. These changes are mandated by the Texas App Store Accountability Act, known as SB 2420. The law officially takes effect on January 1, 2026. Apple’s iOS 26.2 will include the necessary features for developers.

The update introduces new APIs for age confirmation and parental consent. This marks one of the most substantial regional compliance shifts for Apple’s platform. According to Reuters, such state-level laws are increasingly influencing tech giant policies.

New iOS 26.2 APIs for Texas Compliance

Apple is providing developers with three key new tools. The first is the Declared Age Range API. It shares a user’s age category, not their exact birth date. Categories include under 13, 13-15, 16-17, and over 18.

The system also notes the method of age assurance. This could be a credit card check or a government ID. This approach aims to balance legal compliance with user privacy.

Another new tool is the Significant Change API. It requires developers to flag major app updates. A significant change would trigger a fresh parental consent request. Changing an app’s age rating is one example.

Broader Impact on Users and Developers

This law fundamentally changes the App Store experience in Texas. New users must verify they are over 18 when creating an Apple account. Parents must give explicit consent for their children’s downloads and purchases. They can also revoke that consent at any time.

For developers, this means adapting apps to new technical requirements. They must integrate the new APIs and define what constitutes a “significant change.” Failure to comply could result in an app’s removal for Texas users. This creates a new layer of regional app regulation.

The Consent Revocation API lets parents block an app instantly. Developers will receive a server notification when this happens. This gives parents direct control over their children’s app usage.

This iOS 26.2 update demonstrates how state legislation is directly shaping global tech platforms, setting a new precedent for age verification standards.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the Texas App Store Accountability Act?

It is a new state law requiring age verification for digital stores. The law mandates parental consent for minors’ app downloads and purchases. It takes effect on January 1, 2026.

Who is affected by the iOS 26.2 changes?

All Apple users in Texas will be affected. App developers worldwide must update their apps for the Texas market. Parents with children using Apple devices in Texas will see new consent prompts.

What are the new age categories?

Apple’s system uses four categories. They are under 13, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, and over 18. Developers receive the category, not the exact age.

How does parental consent revocation work?

Parents can withdraw consent for any app through device settings. This action blocks the app from launching on the child’s device. Developers get a notification when this happens.

When will these changes be active?

The legal requirement starts on January 1, 2026. Apple is releasing the iOS 26.2 update with the new APIs beforehand. This gives developers time to test and implement the changes.