Updated Age Ratings in App Store Connect
The age rating system for apps and games has been updated in order to provide people with more granular age ratings. We’ve also introduced new age rating questions to help identify sensitive content in your app and added the ability to set a higher rating to reflect your app’s minimum age requirement.
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We’ve introduced a new set of required questions to the ratings questionnaire for all apps.
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Please provide responses to the updated age rating questions for each of your apps by January 31, 2026, to avoid an interruption when submitting your app updates in App Store Connect.
When I log into App Store Connect, it shows a banner that says, “Age Ratings Are Changing,” but there seems to be no way to actually answer the questions for my apps. Maybe you have the opportunity to do this when submitting a new version, but Apple’s guidance above implies that they want you to answer the questions before that.
Previously:
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It's possible for me to update the age ratings for my iOS app, but not for my macOS app. For iOS, the link next to "Your Age Ratings" says "Edit", whereas for macOS it's simply "View".
It has been evident for a very long time that the developers* of App Store Connect have never had to dogfood it. Especially the secondary streets of Mac functionality.
*I have also long believed that "App Store Connect developer" is synonymous with "Apple Summer Intern".
I'm seeing the same thing for my personal, side-project account, but my work account (a much, much more popular app) can answer the questions without submitting a new version.
It's only possible to change for the next version of your app.
Then it says "Edit" and your able to change it with the next version.
@Jan_Damm, simple question - what if you DO NOT wish to change anything? As of now, I only get (a) a section of text with (b) ratings for - so far - three areas I'm unable to change because (c) I'm not ready for a new version.
To quote App Store Connect:
> "Existing age ratings for apps have been automatically adjusted to align with our updated system. You can view your adjusted age ratings and respond to new ratings questions from within the App Information section of each app." (Home page.)
> "Before January 2026, you must provide updated age ratings responses to continue submitting app updates.". App page - don't forget the emphasis Apple made on "Before January 2026..." and the use they did with "... you must provide... to continue submitting...".
To quote the email I was sent:
> "Action required: Answer the updated age rating questions." That is the actual subject line.
> "We've introduced a new set of required questions to the ratings questionnaire for all apps." Note the use of the word REQUIRED.
> "Please provide responses to the updated age rating questions for each of your apps by January 31, 2026, to avoid an interruption..."
Please, explain why this entire thing is NOT confusing to this experienced programmer (back in the day when it was called that) who only gets (logical) thinking that says the use of "required", "must provide", and "by January 31,2026" to mean that I can RIGHT NOW answer these required questions and not waste my time later by creating another version of my apps just for this. Nothing anywhere says this - in fact, virtually everything I see says I am required and must answer these by next January, whether I'm working on an update or new app. It's a 7 step questionnaire I can view but not do anything. I tend to call that sloppy.
Look I get that Apple is dealing with several legalities. It's implied when below my rating I see:
173 countries or regions are 4+
Brazil is something called AL
Korea, Repucblic of is ALL
Still, this reeks of Apple (a) digging their heels in with these legalities by (b) not making it any easier for developers but instead (c) passing it on to them in the worst way possible. Seriously. What happens when those other 173 countries (Japan, UK, EU, etc.) need to be split. Will I get another email like the one speaking of "must", "required" and need yet another version to be able to answer (at least0 7 step) question?
It's Apple's App Store. They have total control over it as far as I'm concerned. But they can't even let me edit this without a new version?
