Ing. Calogero Bono
On November 2, 2026, Apple announced two new descriptors for the age questionnaire in App Store Connect. Starting November 16, developers will have to declare whether their app shares a user's real location or includes dating and relationship features. Apps with the second feature will be rated at least 18+. All apps must complete their declarations by January 12, 2027, so it is worth checking in good time.
A few terms before we get into the facts. App Store Connect is the portal where developers manage their apps on the App Store. Age rating is the age classification, obtained by filling in a questionnaire. Content descriptor is an entry in the questionnaire that flags a type of content or feature. MJSP is Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security, which can assign official classifications.
What changes in the App Store Connect questionnaire?
According to Apple's official announcement, the new descriptors are meant to ensure that ratings truly reflect app features and respect local rules. There are two.
- Shared Location, sharing a real location with another person or a group.
- Dating and Relationships, features that enable romantic connections between real people and/or a virtual companion that engages the user in sexual or romantic content.
When must features be declared?
The descriptors appear from November 16, 2026. Declaration is mandatory when you submit an app update or modify the questionnaire. In any case, Apple writes, all apps must have completed it by January 12, 2027.
Those who do not publish updates in that period cannot therefore wait. The questionnaire must be opened regardless, including for apps that have been dormant for a while.
Are dating apps and virtual companions always 18+?
Yes, for apps that include Dating and Relationships Apple sets a minimum of 18+. As reported by 9to5Mac and MacRumors, the rule also applies when the relationship is with a virtual companion that leads the user toward sexual or romantic content.
This is a consistent step after the crackdown already seen on sensitive content, which we covered in our piece on the rules on intimate deepfakes and apps with hidden features.
What happens in Brazil and for shared location?
For Shared Location, Apple notes that the effect on the minimum rating may not apply in some regions. In Brazil, by contrast, local rules require A16 for shared location and A18 for dating and relationships.
If you believe your app deserves a lower rating, for example because sharing is designed for parents and children, you can request an official classification from the MJSP. Once verified, it will appear on the Brazilian App Store.
Limits to know
Sources only report Apple's wording. We do not know how the definition of virtual companion will be applied in practice, nor which regions besides Brazil apply specific rules for shared location. It is unclear what happens to apps that do not complete the declaration by January 12, 2027, because Apple does not specify it.
What changes for those working in digital
If you develop or commission an app, review its features with fresh eyes. A chat with profiles, an assistant with a romantic personality, or a map showing where contacts are can fall under the new descriptors. An 18+ rating narrows the potential audience and can affect marketing and advertising. For those publishing in Brazil, the required rating is higher. It is wise to declare accurately, since a wrong classification can cause problems during review. If you have an app in progress, you can plan for this at the design stage, for example in your iOS and Android app development.
Our take
The move is reasonable and also predictable. Romantic virtual companions were a grey area, and stating it openly in the questionnaire reduces ambiguity. The risk is that the definition stays broad. A friends-dating app, or a family app with shared location, could end up in a category designed for something else. The Brazilian route to an official lower rating is useful, but it takes time and bureaucracy that not every small developer can afford.
Frequently asked questions
When does the change take effect?
From November 16, 2026 the new descriptors appear in App Store Connect. They must be declared when you submit an update or change the age questionnaire.
What is the final deadline?
January 12, 2027. By that date all apps must have completed the declarations, even if you have no updates planned.
Do dating apps have to be 18+?
Yes. Apple states that apps with Dating and Relationships receive a minimum rating of 18+, including when a virtual companion with romantic or sexual content is involved.
Does shared location always raise the rating?
No. According to Apple, it may not change the minimum rating in some regions. In Brazil, however, local rules require A16.
How can I get a lower rating in Brazil?
You request an official classification from Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security. Once verified, it appears on the Brazilian App Store.
What to check before January 12, 2027
Use it to review your apps calmly, well before the deadline.
- Map the social, chat and location features of every published app and note which fall under the two descriptors.
- Follow Apple's Developer News for any clarification on the definition of virtual companion.
- If you sell in Brazil, decide early whether you need to request a rating from the MJSP.
