Can't confirm age in UK

EpidemeUK wrote:

Having just updated my iPhone to 26.4 it's now asking me to confirm I'm 18+, I don't have a credit card and it doesn't give me the option to scan my drivers licence so now what? This is ridiculous if Apple are going to force us to do this at least give us options I'm 57 and now my phone is going to treat me like a child.

If you can't use your drivers license nor do you have a valid credit card, you're going to need to contact Apple UK directly for help. There are others in the UK, facing the same issue.

You can use the Support button at the bottom of this page or you can find Apple UK phone number here --> Contact Apple Support – Apple Support (UK)

After a phone call Yesterday found out both Birth Certificate and British Passport are a no goer. The National ID other than a Credit Card and Driving License. Will require one of the following:-

• Citizen Card
• Young Scot
• MyID
• Totum ID

Note that modern Citzen Card expires after 3 years, however an older instance won’t expire after 3 years. The other IDs likely also expire 3 years after production and purchase. Also the card must be a physical one and digital versions aren’t accepted.

I got into an online chat with an agent who told me to try again. This worked and a message came up to say that the length of time I had an account proved that I was over 18. I did the same for my father’s iPad - he’s 91 - and that worked too for the same reason.

So my advice is to click on the proof of age button again and follow the steps (and, yes, I know that it won’t work if you have had an Apple ID for a very short time. In that case I don’t know the answer, but would try chat again on the support page or go into an Apple Store - I imagine that they are very busy with this just now).

Iangas wrote:

Tried all ways to confirm my age . I don't have a credit card . It scanned my Driving Licence after several attempts and confirmed I'm under 18 .

I am 63 !!!

Get a grip Apple

I don't like the new format either

This is a user to user only forum. Telling Apple to get a grip won't be seen by Apple.

If the age verification with an approved method isn't working for you, contact Apple directly help. You can call Apple in the UK at: 0800 107 6285. Or use this link --> Contact Apple Support – Apple Support (UK)

I’m having the same trouble as a UK based adult, can’t and don’t drive. Not interested in Credit Cards, only use debit. Only have BC and Passport as forms of ID. BC isn’t acceptable, but passport is only acceptable if US card passport, or an EU (card form) or the IE (Irish) card form passport.

Have sent feedback stating that the UK passport is only available as a booklet. My proposed improved flow, for scanning is to scan the cover of UK passport to identify as passport, then the internal page with the actual ID.

For those of you who are also having the same trouble, may I suggest getting Apple Support on the phone and sending feedback similar to mine. If enough of us with this issue, get support on the phone and sending similar feedback, then their developers will get the message.

Kevnid201 wrote:

Farcical update phone and iPad are both demanding proof of age . Debit cards passports and birth certificates not valid yet credit cards and driving licenses are ?.. how is a credit card any different from a debit card . And forgive me if I am wrong but don’t passports clearly show date of birth lol . Farcical the exodus of people to android because of this . Especially in the uk is going to be huge

Because Minors can be issued a debit card, but can't be issued a credit card.

Threatening to move to Android falls on deaf ears on this user to user only forum. We don't care what you decide to purchase. But if you think Android and Google aren't required to follow the laws of the UK, think again.

You can use a Photo Drivers License. You can use a Citizen Card. You can't use a Passport. Here is a link about what you can use, but if you don't have what is currrently approved, then you'll need to speak with Apple directly for help --> Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK - Apple Support

If you want to complain to someone, complain to your MP or Elected Officials. They are responsible for this, as you say, farcical requirement. Or buy an Android, then you can get on their forums and complain there.

I bought a citizen card which I don’t really need . This didn’t work . Ended up doing a fairly lengthy online chat with Apple who advised most of the things I had previously tried . I had tried using passport however she asked me to try again. I tried to make passport as flat as possible and had to use photo option which seems to have worked as red flag to prove age has disappeared.

I had the same problem had online chat and was told to try again using my passport and it has worked.

RogueHaggis wrote:

Today, 12 April 2026, scanned the front and back of my UK driving licence. It says it cannot scan the.photo..presumably because of the holographic imaging on UK licences.

In the UK many people do not have these forms of ID nor does everyone hold a passport. Wouldn't bank verification be simpler..the bank has everything. And I agree, quite happy if I spend money. There is no online support..it just repeats itself. I was logged into my iPad before update and it logged me out of the whole system.. except it did keep my bank details...funny that..

The UK Drivers License has been confirmed to work by many others. There are some tips from users that did help for them to complete the scan:

• Place the ID on a dark background
• Hold camera steady until it completes the scan on each side and it may take longer than expected without any progress indicator.
• Some iPhones will focus on the image better if you tap the ID in the camera view to manual focus.

Bank information including a Debit Card does not prove you are an adult. Minors are able to open an account and have a Debit Card and the bank is not telling Apple your age or providing them any information. Apple uses Credit Card as authorization because only an adult can have a Credit Card, so if the card is verified then Apple knows the user is an adult, the actual age is not important.

21dunn wrote:

How can I do my age I’m 63 born 21 February

It's asking you to verify your age, because your government is requiring it. See this to learn how to validate your age --> Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK - Apple Support

Annejordan wrote:

On my screen it say confirm my age

This has been posted multiple times throughout this thread, but since you clearly didn't read past the first post, here you go --> Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK - Apple Support

Had a quick look and didn't see this solution so thought I'd add.

I had mutiple cards in my Apple Wallet. Had same issue but then changed it so my default card was a credit card and then worked immediately.

When it asks to enter your card manually you can go to the bottom of the page and it says other verification you can scran your driving license there

Found that, for some reason, a provisional drivers license works