Apple's age rating now asks about social media, and an answer is required

On July 9, 2026, Apple added questions about social media features to the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect. Beginning in September 2026, answers are required to submit new apps or updates to the App Store, or to notarize apps for alternative distribution. The answers feed Time Allowances, new parental controls in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27.

What counts as social media

Apple defines a social media capability as the ability to redistribute, amplify or interact with user-generated content through a social feed or a similar discovery method. The Social Media category depends on that capability, not on the App Store category you pick.

What the answer changes

• Apps with social media features go into the Time Allowance category for Social Media, get a minimum age rating of 13+, and show a new Social Media content descriptor on their product page.
• Apps that turn those features off for anyone under 13 aren’t placed in the Social Media category for users under 13. They must use the Declared Age Range API, at a minimum, to check users’ age ranges. The rest of the questionnaire then sets the rating, which may be lower than 13+. These apps stay in the Social Media category for users 13 and older.
• Entertainment and Games: apps with either as their primary or secondary App Store category go into the matching Time Allowance category.

What Time Allowances do

Apple says Time Allowances give parents more flexible ways to manage the time children spend in apps across categories, including Entertainment, Games and Social Media. Apple repeated the social media requirement when it opened iOS 27 submissions on September 9, 2026.

Who is affected

Any app that lets users redistribute, amplify or interact with user-generated content through a feed or a similar discovery method, including apps made with no-code or AI builders. Apple’s Time Allowances post says this covers features that visibly spread content to many users.

What to do

Answer the new questions in App Store Connect before your next update. If your app has a feed but children under 13 use it, decide whether to turn those features off for them and add the Declared Age Range API.