It means customers are required to confirm they are adults before accessing certain services, including 18-plus apps.

The change arrives with the latest iOS 26.4 software update and forms part of a broader push to strengthen online safety for younger users.

Once the update is installed, users are prompted with a message stating: "UK law requires you to confirm you are an adult to change content restrictions."

To verify their age, users can submit a valid credit card, scan official identification, or in some cases rely on existing account information already held by Apple.

The company may also assess how long an account has been active to help determine eligibility.

Those who do not complete the verification process - or are identified as underage - will automatically have web content filters applied to their devices.

Additionally, children under 13 will not be able to create an account without parental or guardian approval.

The move has been welcomed by regulator Ofcom, which described it as a "real win for children and families".

The regulator introduced stricter rules under the Online Safety Act in 2025, requiring platforms to improve protections for younger users, though device-level checks were not explicitly mandated.

An Ofcom spokesperson said the organisation had worked closely with Apple to ensure its rules could be applied flexibly across different technologies to better safeguard users.