You Now Need to Declare Your Age Before Downloading Mature Games

Google has begun rolling out a new, stricter age verification system on the Google Play Store, requiring users to prove they are 18 or older before downloading mature-rated applications and games. This move, which follows a similar system recently introduced on YouTube, is a direct response to a wave of new child safety and digital age-assurance laws being enacted in several US states, with some taking effect as early as 2026. 

This rollout marks a significant shift from the Play Store's previous reliance on users simply self-declaring their birth dates. Now, users attempting to install content rated 'Mature' (M) or 'Adults Only' (AO) may be stopped and required to validate their age. 

Google has said the process, which should only take a few minutes, will roll out gradually and will vary by region. For many apps, downloads for popular age-restricted titles will be blocked entirely until the age check is passed. 

Google is offering users multiple ways to complete the verification. These options include uploading a photo of a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, or submitting a credit card for a temporary authorization hold. 

In some regions, a facial age estimation option (a selfie) is also available. For users concerned about privacy, Google is also employing a third-party service called Verifymy.io, which estimates a user's age by analyzing data points like email, phone number, and app usage history.

Why Is Google Doing This Now?

This new policy is not an internal decision but a compliance measure. Google explained the changes are necessary to adhere to new verification laws passed in several U.S. states. Texas’s App Store law, for example, will be enforced starting January 1, 2026, with similar laws from Utah following on May 7 and Louisiana on July 1. 

California has also passed its own "Digital Age Assurance Act" (AB-1043), which imposes hefty penalties of up to $7,500 per intentional violation. 

This update has major implications for app developers, especially in the gaming industry. Under these new laws, developers will now be considered to have "actual knowledge" of a user's age, forcing them to be in strict compliance with child privacy laws like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act). 

To manage this, Google is providing a new "Play Age Signals API" in beta, which will send privacy-preserving signals to developers, such as "under-13" or "adult", rather than the user's specific age.

While Apple has also announced its plans to comply with these laws, it has publicly expressed concerns, warning that the requirements risk user privacy by "requiring the collection of sensitive data from all users". 

Google's new verification system is part of a broader effort to enhance safety, as the company also plans to require Android app developers in markets like Brazil, Thailand, and Indonesia to verify their own identities starting in 2026, with a worldwide rollout planned for 2027.