iOS 26.4 under 18 age restrictions on iPhone, iPad

I'm sorry to hear you're having so many problems.

When I updated my iPhone, before verifying my age, I noticed that my browser was completely blocked for any searches and was redirecting me to an Apple page stating that the service was blocked. However, I had my credit card in Wallet and verified my age by double-clicking the side button. That action unlocked all the devices connected to the same Apple account.

I’ve also heard from other people who contacted Apple Support that they were advised to go to an Apple Store to resolve the issue.

Well, if you think Apple will loosen the requirements think again. If anything they will make them more stringent as time goes on.

Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the UK - Apple Support

• You can confirm your age with a credit card, or by scanning a driver's license or one of the following PASS-accredited Proof of Age cards: CitizenCard, My ID Card, TOTUM ID card, or Young Scot National Entitlement Card. If you already have an Apple Account, Apple will check if you have a credit card on file or other eligible methods available to confirm that you're 18 or older.

Bottom line? If you can’t or won ’t provided the required documentation you are out of luck. It doesn’t matter what you think about Apple having stricter restrictions. The fact that a certain percentage of the U.K. population seems to exist without any from of ID is interesting to say the least but this is only going to get more intense and not easy.

These days governments see big tech as income sources by leveling massive fines for alleged violations of their onerous laws. So Apple would rather be stricter than get nailed with a $Billion dollar fine for allegedly violating the Online Safety Act.

That's not strictly true. They have done more than asked. They have placed stronger restrictions.

Many digital services, including social media apps and pr0n sites, have rolled out age verification in the UK following last year’s introduction of new rules under the Online Safety Act that impose tougher controls on what children can see and do online.

App stores and mobile operating systems are not covered by the Online Safety Act.

Restrictions are determined by the U.K. government. Apple has to follow the law or risk having to pay huge fines for noncompliance. This is all based on the U.K. government’s decision of what gets blocked or not.

Again, Apple is doing this to comply with the demands of the government. This wasn’t Apple’s idea to begin with.

Call your MP and ask them.