Apple has updated its App Store policies to mandate a minimum age rating of 18+ for all applications that facilitate dating or romantic relationships. Crucially, this new requirement explicitly includes “virtual companions” that engage users in romantic or sexual content, effectively closing a loophole previously used by AI-powered relationship apps to target younger audiences.
According to Apple Developer updates, new content descriptor questions for “Dating and Relationships” and “Shared Location” will appear in App Store Connect on November 16, 2026. This technical change requires developers to disclose whether their software promotes romantic interactions, regardless of whether those interactions are with humans or artificial intelligence.
The move comes as the market for virtual companions reaches significant financial scale. Reported figures indicate these applications generated $162.8 million across the App Store and Google Play in the first half of 2026 alone. By categorizing AI romantic partners alongside traditional dating platforms like Tinder or Bumble, Apple is ensuring that “simulated” romance is subject to the same strict age-gating as human-to-human interaction.
Developers of existing applications must comply with these new declarations by January 12, 2027. Failure to update the age rating descriptors by this deadline could result in apps being flagged for non-compliance or removed from the storefront.
The policy update also introduces stricter controls for apps featuring “Shared Location” functionality. While the 18+ floor is a global standard for dating services, Apple is implementing regional variations for location-sharing to meet specific local regulations. In Brazil, for example, apps that include location-sharing features must carry at least an A16 rating, while those with dating or relationship features will be restricted to A18.
This shift represents a broader effort to standardize how AI-driven social apps are classified. While general-purpose AI tools that may be used for roleplay are not explicitly targeted by the “Dating and Relationships” descriptor, any app marketed primarily as a romantic or sexual companion will now be legally restricted to adult users on the iOS platform.