Overview

• Children must seek parental approval before messaging or calling new phone numbers in Messages, FaceTime and compatible third-party apps through the PermissionKit framework.
• The App Store will introduce new 13+, 16+ and 18+ age-rating tiers, enabling more precise content restrictions via Screen Time and Ask to Buy.
• The Declared Age Range API lets parents share a child’s age bracket with apps without revealing the exact birthdate.
• Default web filtering and Communication Safety interventions will extend to teens aged 13–17, matching protections previously limited to younger Child Accounts.
• Apple has streamlined the Child Account setup process and will roll out these features across iOS 26 and companion updates this fall.