iOS 26.4 age verification without credit card or plastic ID

I’m trying to understand the new age verification prompt in iOS.

In Settings, I now see a heading: “Confirm you are 18+”. When I go into it, I’m asked to scan my credit card and then enter the security (CVV) code. I declined, as that feels like quite sensitive information to provide just for age verification.

What concerns me is that banks (at least here in the UK) are very clear about not entering your CVV unless you’re completely sure who you’re dealing with, as it can be used to authorise payments.

A few things don’t quite add up to me:

• I’ve had my Apple ID for many years, so I would have thought my account history would already indicate my age.
• A friend of mine (also in the UK, only a few miles away, similar setup) was told he didn’t need to verify at allbecause of the age of his account.
• I haven’t been given any alternative option (such as driving licence or other ID), only the credit card route.

So I’m wondering:

• Is this expected behaviour or part of a phased rollout?
• Why are some users exempt while others are asked for card details?
• Are alternative verification methods available or coming later?

At the moment I’m hesitant to proceed with entering a CVV for this, so would be interested to hear what others are seeing.

Dsb43 wrote:

I absolutely agree. I have a modern UK passport and that apparently isn’t valid for age verification. You have to give a great deal of information to get a passport and even have to have it witnessed by 2 professional people who know you to get one. It clearly states your age, date of birth and comes complete with photo ID. It is the most secure document you can obtain and yet it still isn’t enough. I don’t have a credit card or modern driving licence so am not able to verify my age. I will think twice about buying Apple Mobil etc in the future due to this.

So what will you buy in the future? Android? Nope. Google? Nope. They are just as responsible for following UK law as Apple is. You should, however, buy whatever device you think best meets your needs. That doesn't honestly matter to anyone here on this user to user only forum, which Apple neither participates nor reads for user feedback.

Jmas92 wrote:

Can you explain why my citizen card by isn’t allowed? Considering it works for everything else

According to this link, a Citizen Card should work --> Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK - Apple Support

Jmas92 wrote:

Can you explain why my citizen card by isn’t allowed? Considering it works for everything else

What is happening when you try, as it is listed as an acceptable method. Similar to using a Drivers License, these tips may help you:

• Be in a well lit area.
• Place the card on a dark solid background.
• Keep the camera steady on the entire card and it does take longer than what you would expect to scan without any progress indicator.
• Some phones will handle the focus better in the camera if you tap the card on screen.

Zurarczurx wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

So what will you buy in the future? Android? Nope. Google? Nope. They are just as responsible for following UK law as Apple is. You should, however, buy whatever device you think best meets your needs. That doesn't honestly matter to anyone here on this user to user only forum, which Apple neither participates nor reads for user feedback.

As pointed out many times, other companies offer more options. Microsoft uses facial recognition and mobile phone numbers. Ofcom had seven recommendations of which Apple has restricted users to two.

Hello~ As pointed out many times before as well…we are not Apple. Apple doesn’t ask our opinions about their decisions. Apple will continue to make decisions based on their own criteria of which we are not privy to either. Arguing a point here in these for is well…pointless.

~Katana-San~

I believe that posting here helps bring visibility to an issue that is causing concern for many people in the UK, particularly those who are more vulnerable or elderly or just turned of age. It also provides a space where individuals can share their perspectives. While it is understood that this is not a channel for direct assistance from Apple or technical support specialists, it nonetheless allows people to offer one another helpful guidance and support.

100clicks wrote:

I believe that posting here helps bring visibility to an issue that is causing concern for many people in the UK, particularly those who are more vulnerable or elderly or just turned of age. It also provides a space where individuals can share their perspectives. While it is understood that this is not a channel for direct assistance from Apple or technical support specialists, it nonetheless allows people to offer one another helpful guidance and support.

Providing helpful guidance and support is great. Complaining about this, however, is against the terms of use of this forum. People often are unaware (even though they agreed to the terms of use) that Apple isn't here. If someone wants to express pure anger and frustration, this isn't the place to do that. Quora and Reddit are great forums to complain about something. This forum though, not so much.

I was actually horrified when I updated to the latest software and they asked for this. Firstly I thought it was a scam then I realised it was real. I have a passport not a credit card.aAparently the passport doesn’t work because of the glare and I’ve had problems taking photos of my passport before as there is a huge glare issue. Also this is a data protection issue. I’m not happy with giving Apple my credit card details. They don’t inform people how they store the data in any shape or form so all of that is actually illegal.

It’s all well and good showing us what we can use to verify our accounts but we simply don’t have these, why can we use our national insurance number and birth certificate, plus our debit card, the government accepts them when you make a new claim for universal credit, doesn’t make sense

I saw the 18+ notification on my mother's iphone today. I tried to verify using her debit card but that didn't work. She's 95, no Driver's Licence or credit card, doesn't travel and the passport expired a while back, so I couldn't provide 18+ verification. Spoke to Apple but no solution offered there.

With this over 18 confirmation , what does Apple suggest we do when it’s a shared Apple device for work? Devices aren’t owned by the user, they’re owned by the company and therefore can’t expect them to use their personal credit cards or IDs?

WhoSaidThat wrote:

With this over 18 confirmation , what does Apple suggest we do when it’s a shared Apple device for work? Devices aren’t owned by the user, they’re owned by the company and therefore can’t expect them to use their personal credit cards or IDs?

Why are you using a work phone as your personal phone? Apple would suggest you have your own device, is likely what they would suggest. Work phones are more often managed devices to begin with. They usually employ MDM Software, which already limits what you can do on their phone. It's their phone. Not yours. But since they own the phone, not you, you should contact the administrator where you work for guidance on this.

What happened to face recognition, I’m sure that can define how old you are

all this technology and they can’t get this right, so genuine adults won’t be able to access there account cause the government have messed up once again

Deanl34 wrote:

What happened to face recognition, I’m sure that can define how old you are

all this technology and they can’t get this right, so genuine adults won’t be able to access there account cause the government have messed up once again

Hello~ Take that up with your government. In the meantime click on and review the information found there…

If you’re asked to confirm that you’re an adult - Apple Support*

*Region-specific rules for managing an Apple Account - Apple Support

As for ditching Apple products…now that’s really asking for problems but go right ahead.

~Katana-San~

The purpose of my post was to correct your misinformation, not because I expect you to fix it.

Your second suggestion is correct right answer: this is Apples decision, so the correct advice is to take it up with them.