IOS 26.4 How can I pass age verification in the UK without credit card or photo ID?
I’m an older person struggling with this. I don’t have a credit card and health problems mean I can’t drive or travel, so I have no drivers licence or passport. (The phone asks for national ID but the UK doesn’t have that).
Surely looking at the age of my account and activity they must realise I’m an adult.
iPhone 17 Pro
BrotherUrth wrote:
Currently the UK does not require age verification, Apple has jumped the gun. I was reassured by the manager of my local Apple Store today, that with a little patience it will recognise a UK passport. This was nonsense, and goes against Apples own guidelines. This needs to be rectified by Apple asap.
It is the Online Safety Act passed in 2023 where they have given companies until March 25, 2026 to comply and why you are seeing those implemented now with the iOS 26.4 release on that same day.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50
It is not actually age verification where they are looking for your exact age, it is verification to determine if you are over 18. It is OFCOM that has offer suggested methods to do that to comply with the law and Credit Card and Driver's License are 2 of those methods. Debit Cards are specifically not allowed by OFCOM.
It certainly may be true at a later date, Apple will add the Passport as an additional method, but currently the requirements are detailed here:
Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK – Apple Support (UK)
BrotherUrth wrote:
Currently the UK does not require age verification, Apple has jumped the gun. I was reassured by the manager of my local Apple Store today, that with a little patience it will recognise a UK passport. This was nonsense, and goes against Apples own guidelines. This needs to be rectified by Apple asap.
It is the Online Safety Act passed in 2023 where they have given companies until March 25, 2026 to comply and why you are seeing those implemented now with the iOS 26.4 release on that same day.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50
It is not actually age verification where they are looking for your exact age, it is verification to determine if you are over 18. It is OFCOM that has offer suggested methods to do that to comply with the law and Credit Card and Driver's License are 2 of those methods. Debit Cards are specifically not allowed by OFCOM.
It certainly may be true at a later date, Apple will add the Passport as an additional method, but currently the requirements are detailed here:
Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK – Apple Support (UK)
The verification can use the length of time you've had your Apple Account to verify age.
If the account is less than 18 years old, then that option will not be available.
Unfortunately at this time, thee is no other way to verify age.
You will want to contact Apple Support and let them know it's not possible to verify your age.
click here ➜ https://getsupport.apple.com
herbwormwood wrote:
There is a substantial number of people in the UK who for whatever reason dont have credit cards and I am not interested in getting one at the moment, personal choice and my right to choose how I use my finances, as is it for many others.
Im pleased that so far this has not affected my ability to use my phone, and that it should not affect the security updates?
There are additional methods that were added yesterday beyond the Drivers License and Credit Card. You are not required to have a Credit Card.
Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK – Apple Support (UK)
After a total of nearly two hours on the phone and in chats, I’d finally been escalated to someone who knows what is going on.
They have been inundated today by calls and chats from people who are clearly adults but don’t have the rather restrictive set of ID that Apple currently requires.
They confirmed that even though the support pages say that you can confirm with your Apple account this doesn’t actually exist.
They have reported back to the engineers that more methods of verification are needed and they expect a solution shortly.
We can only hope this is resolved soon.
It’s currently causing a lot of upset for Apple consumers and a lot of work for Apple Support!
NRJ-Scot wrote:
I researched online and found OFCOM is involved and I was able to send them a message identifying to problems we have experienced. During my research I discovered a House of Commons Committee Report related to 'The Rights of Older People' (Publications.Parliament.UK/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/414/report.html#heading-3) in which section 3 considered Digital Exclusion which occurs when individuals and sections of society are unable to use the internet in ways that are required to fully participate in society. Digital exclusion is flagged as a key issue. Apparently Age UK have argued there is a 'lack of Government re-digital exclusion'.
That would be perfect if Ofcom/Government offered you an exclusion where Apple could update your account with that information. That seems to be the sticking point with Ofcom/Government not offering any method where they are responsible for the age check to absolve a company from being liable.
NRJ-Scot wrote:
I have asked for information on making changes to allow a CitizensID card to be used or UK Passports and again will just need to wait.
No need to wait, that has already been done and both the CitizenCard and the UK Passports are acceptable.
Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK - Apple Support
If you are having trouble scanning either of those and have already used the suggestions such as making sure you are in a well lit room without glare and holding the camera steady while the document is being scanned, then take your device to the Apple Store where they are well skilled by now in assisting users with the scanning of their document.
Felipe_felop wrote:
It seems poorly thought through. In the US most people have credit cards and there are national IDs. But not in the UK.
Compliance is dictated by the Age Assurance laws in effect in the UK. For most in the US there is not that requirement currently. Other regions may allow a National ID/Government ID for compliance when no Driver's License is available.
The UK has specific age assurance requirements to access certain content. You may be required to confirm you’re an adult before changing certain safety settings or taking other actions with your Apple Account
Legal - UK Online Safety - Apple
*A Digital ID in Apple Wallet created using a U.S. passport can be used to confirm that you're an adult.
If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult - Apple Support
My wife and I are both in the older age group with health issues and were affected by the Age Verification issue.
Neither of us have a National I.D. Card, we have valid passports, mine recently updated and I when I was asked what the purpose was I selected 'for ID purposes' (neither my wife or I can use these for age verification even though they scan but not accepted), we don't have Credit Cards and don't want these but our Debit Cards aren't accepted, we have Scottish Government National travel cards but these aren't accepted either, my wife doesn't have a Driving Licence but I do (after 2 days of trying to scan it it was eventually was accepted) but my wife still hasn't been able to verify her age as over 18 years. I researched online and found OFCOM is involved and I was able to send them a message identifying to problems we have experienced. During my research I discovered a House of Commons Committee Report related to 'The Rights of Older People' (Publications.Parliament.UK/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/414/report.html#heading-3) in which section 3 considered Digital Exclusion which occurs when individuals and sections of society are unable to use the internet in ways that are required to fully participate in society. Digital exclusion is flagged as a key issue. Apparently Age UK have argued there is a 'lack of Government re-digital exclusion'. The Equality Act 2010 came into force in 2012 and age apparently is one of nine protected characteristics. The question would be 'are the older age group protected in relation to 'Digital Inclusion'? Is there a UK Government Digital Inclusion Strategy for older people? Is the UK Government meeting a 'Legal Duty of Care' towards older people with regard to Digital Inclusion.
Hopefully, a solution to the access problem affecting iPhone users will be resolved soon.
[Edited by Moderator]
NRJ-Scot wrote:
My wife is still in the same situation - no credit card or Drivers Licence with photo ID so still stuck at the age of 18 years.
It is now over 20 working days since I heard from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) who had my enquiry in relation to Age Verification passed to them. I have contacted them asking for an update but no response as yet. OFCOM is the same - no word received yet. I have asked for information on making changes to allow a CitizensID card to be used or UK Passports and again will just need to wait. Perhaps Apple may come up with a fix. If not, I can always try contacting the News Media as I still haven't seen any articles or programs raising this as an issue. There are local elections coming up in the UK on the 7th May - it may useful to raise it with those hoping to become Members of Parliament in the relevant countries.
A CitizenCard is an acceptable form of ID for verification.
Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK – Apple Support (UK)
herbwormwood wrote:
I cannot verify my age as i have no credit card or driving licence
There are no other options, unless you have had your Apple Account for a significant enough length of time that would indicate you are over 18.
I updated to iOS 26.4.1 and did the age verification and it worked by how long I've had my Apple account to accept my age. I've had my account for 15 years, so why it's now accepted that whereas previously it wouldn't I don't know. I guess they probably realised people don't have Apple accounts when they're 3 years of age.
My M.P. hasn't replied yet either. Guessing that they're all slightly pre-occupied right now but there was a week's recess.
Some here have found that the update the other week solved the problem by using the length of time that their account had been held.
I used Klarna, which was supposed to cost a service fee of £0.49 but didn't in the end. It scanned my passport.
Good luck :)
My wife is still in the same situation - no credit card or Drivers Licence with photo ID so still stuck at the age of 18 years.
It is now over 20 working days since I heard from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) who had my enquiry in relation to Age Verification passed to them. I have contacted them asking for an update but no response as yet. OFCOM is the same - no word received yet. I have asked for information on making changes to allow a CitizensID card to be used or UK Passports and again will just need to wait. Perhaps Apple may come up with a fix. If not, I can always try contacting the News Media as I still haven't seen any articles or programs raising this as an issue. There are local elections coming up in the UK on the 7th May - it may useful to raise it with those hoping to become Members of Parliament in the relevant countries.
Felipe_felop wrote:
@mac Jim ID
I am afraid that’s just randomly copied web links and doesn’t really help at all. Eg How would I in the UK have a US Passport
I wouldn't say they are randomly copied web links, they are Apple Support articles that have recently been added to account for the Age Assurance laws passed in the UK, and also some other regions. In the US there are 2 states that also require the age verification which is why you see that in the Support Article. What is allowed on your device will depend on your region, so obviously you would not have the option for a US Passport.
The Face ID is to access your Apple Wallet to check for a credit card. It isn't a face scan.
I was researching last night and it turns out I can't get a credit card, and nobody in my immediate family is eligible for one either. My mum should be alright as she has a driving licence, but I'll have to apply for a provisional if I want to gain access to my phone again. 😐
[Edited by Moderator]
IOS 26.4 How can I pass age verification in the UK without credit card or photo ID.
