Apple · Apple App Store Review Guidelines · View original document ↗

Age Rating and Adult Content Restrictions

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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This analysis describes what Apple's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision operationalizes Apple's content governance for app store presentation materials, creating a separation between an app's functional content rating and its public-facing promotional materials. The requirement affects how developers must curate their store presence independent of the app's actual content classification.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jun 9, 2026

The updated guidelines state that developers must ensure kids receive age-appropriate experiences within their apps and must remove user-generated content that violates the guidelines, terms of service, or community standards. Under the revised policy, if Apple identifies policy-violating content, the developer will be asked to remove it and provide a compliance improvement plan. Based on the developer's response, the app may be removed from the App Store until compliance is demonstrated. This establishes a formal escalation pathway where developer inaction or inadequate remediation can result in app suspension or removal.

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Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Apr 3, 2026
First Seen
Apr 17, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 362 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision restricts the imagery and visual content that developers may display in app store listings, which affects what consumers see when browsing or searching for apps. The constraint applies to all promotional materials regardless of whether the underlying app is rated for mature audiences.

How other platforms handle this

Udemy Medium

You are solely responsible for the content that you post, upload, or otherwise make available through the Services. Udemy may, in its sole discretion, remove or disable access to any content that violates these Terms or that Udemy determines, in its sole discretion, is otherwise objectionable.

OpenAI Medium

Don't use AI to generate content that could unduly influence elections, including targeted political messaging, voting misinformation, or political rhetoric at scale.

NotebookLM Medium

You may not use our generative AI features to generate content or engage in activities that violate our Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy. You're responsible for your use of generative AI features and any content you create, including ensuring that such use and content complies with applicable law...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Metadata should be appropriate for all audiences, so make sure your app and in-app purchase icons, screenshots, and previews adhere to a 4+ age rating even if your app is rated higher. For example, if your app is a game that includes violence, select images that don't depict a gruesome death or a gun pointed at a specific character.

— Excerpt from Apple's Apple App Store Review Guidelines

Applicable regulations

DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Entity
Apple
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-000226
Document ID
CA-D-00025
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
877541265fefdbebabcd1e30fe9651433f6b1dd3064ee4d811f9f9918e043f98
Analysis generated
March 6, 2026 20:15 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Apple
Document: Apple App Store Review Guidelines
Record ID: CA-P-000226
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:15:42 UTC
SHA-256: 877541265fefdbeb…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/apple/apple-app-store-review-guidelines/age-rating-and-adult-content-restrictions/
Accessed: June 10, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Apple's Age Rating and Adult Content Restrictions clause do?

This provision operationalizes Apple's content governance for app store presentation materials, creating a separation between an app's functional content rating and its public-facing promotional materials. The requirement affects how developers must curate their store presence independent of the app's actual content classification.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision restricts the imagery and visual content that developers may display in app store listings, which affects what consumers see when browsing or searching for apps. The constraint applies to all promotional materials regardless of whether the underlying app is rated for mature audiences.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Apple?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Apple.