Apple will force Texas teenagers to get permission before downloading any app

Starting January 1, 2026, Apple will require anyone creating a new Apple Account in Texas to confirm whether they’re over 18, marking a significant shift in how the company manages underage users. Minors will be locked into Family Sharing groups, giving parents and guardians approval rights over every app download, purchase, and in-app transaction.

Apple announced the changes while voicing sharp concerns about the privacy trade-offs involved. The company warned that Texas’ App Store Accountability Act forces users to hand over “sensitive, personally identifiable information to download any app, even if a user simply wants to check the weather or sports scores.”