Issues with proving age over 18 on iPhone 17

Recent changes to laws in the UK designed to offer more protection for minors, it may be required to provide proof of age. Currently credit cards and Driver’s Licenses are the accepted forms of identity. Debit cards cannot be used because minors can open debit card accounts.

Update your device to the latest operating system, 26.4. This is a requirement. If you do not update, the verification will fail.

1. ”Depending on your country or region, different options might be available to confirm that you're an adult.

• • Existing Apple Account information – Apple might ask to look at information associated with your account, including whether you have a credit card on file or how long you've had an Apple Account to help confirm that you're an adult.
  • Use a credit card – You can add a credit card to your Apple Account to confirm that you’re an adult. If you use a credit card, you have the option to add it as a payment method for your Apple Account. Debit cards aren't eligible.
  • Scan your ID – You can scan your driver's licence or national ID to confirm that you're an adult. To help make sure that you scan your ID successfully, make sure that you're in a well-lit place (indoors works best). Place your ID against a neutral background and avoid glare. Make sure that the image of your ID is clear and in focus before submitting.

To confirm you're an adult, Apple may use details such as information related to your Apple Account, a credit card on file or ID document. Your credit card or ID document aren't stored unless you choose to save them for other purposes, such as adding a payment method to your account.

You might be asked to confirm your age after taking certain actions. If you decide not to, you'll see a message in the Settings app where you can choose to confirm your age later.“

If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult – Apple Support (UK)

If you need additional assistance or have additional questions please contact Apple Support using the link below.

Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support

What kind of card?

If you are in the UK, only Credit Cards are accepted for age verification. Debit cards or gift cards are not accepted at this time.

If you have a driving license, you can also use that.

If you have neither, then there's no other way to verify your age. You will need to wait until Apple adds additional options or Parliament approves additional options. At this time it's unclear who determines the available age verification options.

click here ➜ If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult - Apple Support

Hi. I just got mine to work. Some time ago I'd set my region to United States in the Language & Region settings. Can't remember why, think it was early adoption of Siri with AI or something like that. Anyway, after changing it back to United Kingdom (and after a reboot just in case) it worked first time for me. I do have a Credit Card linked to my account anyway but this was failing with US region. Hope this helps someone else.

Corvette03 wrote:

I believe that passports can be used to verify age.. hope I’m right.

Depends on where you are. In the UK, through Apple, Passports are not supported.

In the few US states that require age verification, a digital ID in the Wallet app based of your US passport can be used for verification.

click here ➜ If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult – Apple Support (UK)

Other manufacturers may offer other verification options.

Corvette03 wrote:

someone needs to come clean and tell us what’s going on..

Apple have chosen to use only two methods from a much longer list suggested by OfCom as "Kinds of age assurance that are capable of being highly effective".   These are: 

• Facial age estimation – you show your face via photo or video, and technology analyses it to estimate your age. 
• Open banking – you give permission for the age-check service to securely access information from your bank about whether you are over 18. The age-check service then confirms this with the site or app.
• Digital identity services – these include digital identity wallets, which can securely store and share information which proves your age in a digital format.
• Credit card age checks – you provide your credit card details and a payment processor checks if the card is valid. As you must be over 18 to obtain a credit card this shows you are over 18.
• Email-based age estimation – you provide your email address, and technology analyses other online services where it has been used – such as banking or utility providers - to estimate your age.  
• Mobile network operator age checks – you give your permission for an age-check service to confirm whether or not your mobile phone number has age filters applied to it. If there are no restrictions, this confirms you are over 18. 
• Photo-ID matching – this is similar to a check when you show a document. For example, you upload an image of a document that shows your face and age, and an image of yourself at the same time – these are compared to confirm if the document is yours.

It's not a prescriptive list - other methods can be used, e.g. Apple checking if you've had your Apple ID more than 18 years.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/age-checks-for-online-safety--what-you-need-to-know-as-a-user

Contact Apple support - the more people that do the more likely they are to add more methods. The link is at the bottom of this page.

Corvette03 wrote:

Ok.. thanks for the info. Does this now mean the government are obtaining my details through the iPhone if they are demanding age ID. I do not use a credit card so will attempt to use the drivers licence. More control I guess

Some things that people have reported that help:

• Scanning the license takes longer than it seems like it should. And, while it's scanning, there's not obvious indication that it hasn't failed. So, be patient.
• Try restarting or force restarting the phone.
• Try the option to add manually.

If you have a license, the government already has your information.

They can, but not with Apple is my understanding. Contact Apple Support for correct guidance on this issue.

If you’re in the US, please call  1-800-MY-APPLE, or outside the US, consult the support articles below. In Canada, call 1-800-263-3394.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Official Apple Support

If you’re having issues with the verification system please contact Apple Support in your country and/or region.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple

Your government has recently enacted laws that require many technology companies to obtain positive proof of age for access to certain online services and products. The law/regulation is know as the UK Online Safety Act. You’ll need to do your own due diligence to determine the best way to proceed.

If you’re have issues with the verification system please contact Apple Support in your country and/or region.

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Do you live in the UK? If so, your governmental representative would be your first contact to learn what personal and financial information your government wants. The vast majority of fellow Apple products users here are US based.

If you don’t know your representative then maybe Google or ask an AI resource like Perplexity and read the sources it sites. I don’t mean to sound harsh, but this is your government’s requirements. Sorry. 😢

Another resource is Apple Support. I’ve linked to them in prior posts in this thread. What did they say when you contacted them?

It's unclear how the process works at this time, but there is nothing to indicate the info is being sent to the UK government to verify.

It's probably some internal process with Apple which likely does not disclose any info to anyone and just verifies it.