Apple has added selfie-based age verification in iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2, allowing users in supported regions to demonstrate that they are adults without submitting a credit card or government-issued ID.
The feature estimates whether someone is an adult by analyzing their face, according to a new Apple support document. The capture process involves following onscreen prompts to turn and tilt the head, providing views of the face from four directions.
Apple says the verification process combines processing on the user's device with analysis through Private Cloud Compute. The results are brought together locally, and Apple says the images remain inaccessible to the company and anyone else during processing. After successful verification, the selfie is deleted.
Users who receive an age confirmation prompt may be offered the option, although availability varies by location. Regional requirements determine when adult verification is necessary.
Possible triggers include setting up an Apple Account, installing a software update, accessing apps rated 18+, and adjusting safety controls. Once a user has successfully established their adult status, Apple says further confirmation is unnecessary.
Apple released iOS 27.2 on October 26.
