Can't confirm age in UK

Jluis236 wrote:

I am writing to raise a concern regarding the age verification process introduced in iOS 26.4.

My son is 18 years old and is trying to verify his age on his Apple ID. He does not have a credit card or a driving licence yet, but he does have a valid UK passport. From our understanding, a passport should be accepted as an official form of identification for age verification.

However, when attempting to complete the process, the system does not properly accept the passport. In some cases, it appears to request information that a passport does not provide (such as scanning a “back” of the ID), or the verification simply fails without clear explanation.

My son is 18 and currently not in full-time work, which means he is unable to apply for a credit card. This makes it even more important that alternative identification methods, such as a passport, work correctly.

In the United Kingdom, we do not have a standard government-issued digital ID or national ID card system. While there are some third-party ID services available, these are not officially recognised in the same way as passports or driving licences. This creates a significant issue for young adults like my son, who may only have a passport as valid identification.

Additionally, modern UK passports support NFC (chip) technology, which allows secure digital verification of identity. Therefore, iOS 26.4 should be capable of accepting and verifying a UK passport using NFC, rather than relying on methods that are more suited to other forms of ID such as driving licences.

This has left us unable to complete the required verification, despite having valid documentation. It is also unclear what alternative options are available for users in this situation.

I'm sure you're frustrated. But you are only raising a concern with your fellow users many of whom are also frustrated. This is a user to user only forum. Apple isn't here, doesn't participate here, nor read for user feedback.

Use this link if you'd like to raise your concern with Apple directly --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Deanl34 wrote:

What are we supposed to do if we don’t have photo id or a credit card ?

It's not just any photo ID, it's a driver's license. If you don't have either of those, currently your options are to 1) get one of them or 2) not verify that you're an adult and live with the restrictions. I'm not trying to be unkind. That's just the way it is right now.

I've heard that provisional driver's license work.

Deanl34 wrote:

It’s disgraceful, I’ve had Apple for years, and now they are starting this, I have no restrictions yet but don’t know long before I get restrictions, i can’t understand cause you have to be an adult to set up Apple ID so why can’t they use that ?

Disgraceful? Not really. But it's the UK Government you should be upset with. This wasn't Apple's decision. And anyone can create an Apple Account from the age of 13 years old in the UK. So your assertion that only an adult can create an account is patently wrong.

GlasgowDave wrote:

Thanks for the info.

Age estimation using facial scanning is a valid form of age verification under the Online Safety Act. I’d think that an ‘Apple-like’ way to implement checks would be to use such a technique locally on the device. This is similar to how a cashier has to confirm that an individual visually looks over 25 in order to allow the purchase of alcohol (without further ID checks) in the UK.

Think about that. What would stop you or someone else from handing their phone to someone who is older to use their face for age verification. Also, what about teens who look older for their age? Apple would be subject to astronomical fines if they used something so easily faked and then a minor got access to inappropriate content.

I get this is frustrating. But Apple isn't going to open themself up to massive fines. And remember this is being mandated by the UK government. Apple certainly didn't wake up and say, "hey, how can we frustrate and upset our users in the UK, for fun?" People who are in this situation should be reaching out to their elected officials and vociferously complain. You elected them. You pay their salaries. They need to hear from their employer, the people who elected them.

Go to Settings > [your name]. · Tap Personal Information. You might need to sign in to your Apple Account. · Tap your birth date to edit it. Read more

Request to Correct Date of Birth on Apple ID

I'm sorry. I wish there was anything we users could do to help you, but there isn't. Honestly, if it was me, I'd get myself a credit card and be done with it.

I did that. They said that this was a beta version and that this would be fixed soon. So, completely useless.

Sounds like we all off to Apple shop in our areas to see if fix can happen as the stores must I hope have answer to our issue

The UK government requirements are a separate issue. It’s Apple’s implementation that I find fault with. I have numerous forms of ID that satisfy the Government requirements but Apple don’t currently accept those.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

I get the frustration, but this is a user to user only forum. We can't help you with this. And Apple isn't here, so they won't see your post.

Leave feedback for Apple here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

I realise that. However, the forum has always been a place where people can share their experiences and views and often benefit from solutions identified by other users. If nothing else we can sympathise with others.

Well when I spoke to Apple twice today they said it’s not up to them. What verification you you can use it’s up to the government obviously this is another way to push national ID cards through and they told me that my passport would not work. Unless it’s an American account because you need your passport to open a bank account there.

Thanks for the info.

Age estimation using facial scanning is a valid form of age verification under the Online Safety Act. I’d think that an ‘Apple-like’ way to implement checks would be to use such a technique locally on the device. This is similar to how a cashier has to confirm that an individual visually looks over 25 in order to allow the purchase of alcohol (without further ID checks) in the UK.

Go to Settings > [your name]. · Tap Personal Information. You may need to sign in to your Apple Account. · Tap your date of birth to edit it. Read more

Update the date of birth associated with an Apple Account

You’re not alone. I don’t have a credit card at the moment and my driver’s licence is the old UK paper type without a photo. I’ve had an Apple ID for about 20 years.

With this restriction, I’m going to lose functionality on my phone that I’ve already paid for. Worst still is if they add this to iPadOS and this restricts me from using that device for my job.

All in all, Apple have failed on this one.

Dave

Not every one can get these so easily I have a passport that is the main form of ID in the UK I can’t get a credit card and I can’t drive ! Why did they put it in place before actually seeing we don’t have ID cards here like other countries and changing it to passport first before the update it’s ridiculous. I’ve been with Apple for nearly 20 years. I’ve got my bank cards stored in my wallet. Why didn’t they just do passport verification as well as driving license? Loads of people in the UK don’t have driving licenses or credit cards ffs