App store age verification laws have reached real phones. Since June 4, 2026, a new Apple Account opened in Texas can be asked to prove its owner is an adult before it downloads an 18+ app. On January 1, 2027, Alabama adds its own app-store checks, and California starts making phones ask for an age at setup.
Headlines mix up six state laws, three federal bills and a Supreme Court order, and some trackers carry old dates. Here's what's live, what starts when, and what doesn't change: the age to play for cash.
TL;DR: Texas's App Store Accountability Act has applied to new Apple Accounts since June 4, 2026, so a new Texas account may be asked to prove its owner is 18 before downloading an 18+ app. Alabama's law and California's age-signal law start January 1, 2027; Utah and Louisiana moved to 2027. None of this changes who can play for cash: Skillz (now Firy Inc, NYSE: FIRY) already requires you to be 18 to download.
Status, checked September 26, 2026: Texas's law is in force; the Fifth Circuit hasn't ruled on the merits of the challenge. Alabama and California start January 1, 2027. Utah (May 6, 2027) and Louisiana (July 1, 2027) are delayed. We update this page when a court rules or a date changes.
- Texas, live: applies to new Apple Accounts created there since June 4, 2026 (Apple Support).
- Supreme Court, July 6, 2026: declined to block it during the appeal.
- January 1, 2027: Alabama (store checks) and California (phone checks, as amended by AB 1856).
- Delayed: Utah to May 6, 2027; Louisiana to July 1, 2027.
- Cash play: still 18+ even to download under Skillz's terms, and 19 in Alabama.
General information, not legal advice. Disclosure: Atay Games is an app developer too. We make 18+ cash games on the Skillz platform, and our iPhone versions are listed on the App Store.
What are app store age verification laws, and what's already in force?
App-store age verification laws make app stores check each user's age bracket (under 13, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, or 18 and over), link minors to a parent account and get a parent's approval before a minor downloads or buys an app. Texas's SB 2420 is the one in force: Apple applies it to new Texas accounts from June 4, 2026. (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ch. 121; Apple, June 2026)
In 2026, most of these laws copy one model. Utah passed the first version in 2025 (Stoel Rives), but Texas's is the first to take effect. Its App Store Accountability Act, SB 2420, works in three steps:
- The store checks your age at sign-up, using "a commercially reasonable method of verification" (§121.021).
- A parent approves for minors. An under-18 account must link to a parent, who consents to each download and purchase (§121.022).
- The store tells the app each user's age category (the bracket it assigned) and consent status (§121.024).
A federal judge blocked the law on December 23, 2025. On May 28, 2026, the Fifth Circuit paused that injunction, making the law enforceable, and in early June let it stay in effect during the appeal (Wiley). Apple started applying it on June 4.
On July 6, 2026, the Supreme Court denied applications to vacate that stay (docket 25A1389) in "brief, unsigned orders" with no public dissents (SCOTUSblog). It didn't rule on the merits. The Fifth Circuit will, after a hearing CCIA said was expected in August; as of September 26, 2026, we found no ruling.
California works differently: the phone's operating system asks, not the store. Google's Android developer verification rule is separate: it checks who made an app, not how old you are.
Which states have these laws, and when do they take effect?
Five states have enacted app-store or device age-signal laws that start by mid-2027: Texas (in force), Alabama and California (January 1, 2027), Utah (May 6, 2027) and Louisiana (July 1, 2027). Utah and Louisiana both pushed their original 2026 dates back a year. A federal bill, H.R. 3149, cleared a House committee 26-23 in March 2026 but hasn't had a floor vote. (Statutes and Congress.gov, checked September 26, 2026)
On a phone, scroll the table sideways.
| State and law | Effective date | What app stores or phone makers must do | What developers must do | Penalties and who enforces | Court status | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas SB 2420, App Store Accountability Act |
In force. January 1, 2026 on paper; enforceable since the Fifth Circuit stay of May 28, 2026; Apple applies it to new Texas accounts from June 4, 2026 | Verify age category at sign-up; link minors to a parent; parent approves each download and purchase; share age and consent status with developers | Rate the app and each purchase; notify stores before significant changes; verify age and consent using store data; delete that data afterward | A violation is a deceptive trade practice under the Texas DTPA: state enforcement and consumer suits | Blocked December 23, 2025; Fifth Circuit stay May 28, 2026; Supreme Court denied applications to vacate the stay July 6, 2026; merits ruling pending | capitol.texas.gov; supremecourt.gov 25A1389, 25A1390 | Sep 26, 2026 |
| Alabama HB 161 |
January 1, 2027; accounts that exist on October 2, 2026 must be verified before October 1, 2027 | Same store model; also covers pre-installed apps; real-time age and consent data for developers | Request age data at each download or purchase; use the lowest age category shown; notify stores of significant changes | Attorney general only; up to $7,500 per violation; punitive damages for a consistent pattern | No lawsuit found | alison.legislature.state.al.us (enrolled bill) | Sep 26, 2026 |
| California AB 1043, Digital Age Assurance Act (Ch. 675, 2025), as amended by AB 1856 (Ch. 184, signed September 10, 2026) |
January 1, 2027; phones and apps already in use by July 1, 2027 | The phone's operating system asks for a birth date or age at setup and sends an age bracket on request; covered app stores request it and pass it on | Request the signal when the app is downloaded and launched; treat it as the primary indicator of age | Attorney general only; up to $2,500 per affected child (negligent) or $7,500 (intentional) | No lawsuit found | leginfo.legislature.ca.gov | Sep 26, 2026 |
| Utah SB 142 (2025), amended by HB 498 (signed March 18, 2026) |
May 6, 2027 | Verify age at sign-up; parent approval for minors; pre-installed apps added | Verify age and consent using store data; notify stores of significant changes | Private suits only, by a harmed minor or parent: actual damages or $1,000 per violation, whichever is greater. Attorney-general enforcement removed | CCIA's suit dismissed April 21, 2026, after the amendment | Wiley; McDermott; FPF chart | Sep 26, 2026 |
| Louisiana HB 977 (Act No. 185 of 2026), replacing HB 570 (2025) |
July 1, 2027 | Verify age at sign-up; parent accounts and approval for minors | Verify age and consent using store data; notify stores of significant changes | Attorney general only; 45-day notice and cure; up to $10,000 per violation | No lawsuit found | Alston & Bird; FastDemocracy action history; FPF chart | Sep 26, 2026 |
Texas, Alabama and California rows come from the enacted texts. The Utah and Louisiana legislature websites didn't load for us on September 25 or 26, 2026, so those rows rely on the Future of Privacy Forum's comparison chart (June 2026), which quotes the statute sections, plus law-firm alerts and Louisiana's bill history. No dollar figure is shown for Texas because we couldn't read the penalty section of its consumer-protection law.
Louisiana is not in effect yet. Some trackers, and Apple's own February 2026 developer note written before the delay, still list July 1, 2026. Louisiana's HB 977 (Act No. 185 of 2026), signed May 15, 2026, moved the date to July 1, 2027 (Alston & Bird). Utah's new date is May 6, 2027.
California changed its law this month. AB 1856, signed September 10, 2026, narrowed who counts as a developer, made app stores pass on the phone's age signal and added a safe harbor for developers. Most summaries still describe only the 2025 text.
| Law or bill | What it does | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado SB26-051 | Phone-level age signal, like California's | Signed June 3, 2026; takes effect July 1, 2028 (per the Colorado General Assembly) |
| Federal H.R. 3149, App Store Accountability Act | A national version of the Texas store model | Ordered reported by House Energy and Commerce, 26-23, March 5, 2026; no floor vote |
| Federal S. 1586, App Store Accountability Act | Senate version of the store model | Referred to committee May 1, 2025; no action since |
| Federal S. 5090, Digital Age Assurance Act of 2026 | A national version of California's phone-signal model | Introduced and referred to committee July 22, 2026 |
App-store age laws: what happened, and what's next
What changes when you set up an iPhone or download a cash game?
If you open a new Apple Account in Texas, Apple may ask you to confirm you're 18 with a personal credit card or an ID scan before you can download apps rated 18+, and the account's age range is always shared with apps. Under-18 accounts must join Family Sharing, where a parent approves every download and purchase. Apple says existing accounts on iOS 18 or earlier aren't affected. (Apple Support, June and September 2026)
In 2026, Apple's rules cover new Apple Accounts created in Texas on or after June 4 (Apple Support). As of September 26, 2026, Apple's region rules page lists Texas as the only US state with these rules.
How you confirm. Apple may ask when you create an account, update your software or download an app rated 18+. Use information already on your account, a personal credit card, an ID scan or a Wallet Digital ID made from a US passport; debit and gift cards don't count (Apple Support).
Why a cash game triggers it. On September 26, 2026, we checked all 12 Atay listings on the US App Store, and every one is rated 18+. Skip Apple's prompt and you can keep using your phone, but you must confirm before downloading apps "rated 18+." A quirk: Apple's public iTunes lookup API still shows the retired 17+ label for all 12.
Under-18 accounts must sit in Family Sharing, and kids and teens need permission for every download "regardless of age rating." For new Texas accounts, Apple adds, "your age range is always shared with developers and can't be turned off." Apps see a bracket, not a birthday.
| Step | New Apple Account in Texas (from June 4, 2026) | Existing Apple Account | Android APK from our site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age confirmation | May be asked to confirm 18+ (credit card or ID scan) | Apple says not affected (iOS 18 or earlier) | Google Play's Texas checks run inside Google Play; our APKs don't come from it |
| Under-18 accounts | Family Sharing required; a parent approves every download | Unchanged | No store account involved; Skillz's 18+ rule still applies |
| Age shared with apps | Age range always shared; can't be turned off | Only if you choose to share it | Google's age API serves only apps updated by Google Play; how California's 2027 phone signal will reach other apps, Google hasn't said |
| Downloading an 18+ cash game | Confirm you're 18 first | As before | As before |
| Who enforces 18+ for cash play | Skillz's terms (18+ even to download) and the identity check you may face at withdrawal, on every phone | ||
Sources: Apple Support 127462 and 125662; Apple's age assurance developer Q&A; Google's Play Age Signals docs; Skillz User Terms §1.3.1 and §8.3.
Setting up a new phone? See our checklist for moving your cash-game account to a new phone. Android players, read the APK section below.
What does a cash-game developer like Atay have to do?
Developers must use the store's age data, not guess. Texas requires developers to rate each app and purchase, build a system that checks each user's age category and parental consent through the store, and delete that data afterward. Apple says even apps rated 18+ must check age through its Declared Age Range API where the law requires it. (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§121.052-.055; Apple developer Q&A)
In 2026, only Texas's developer duties are live. For apps offered "through an app store" there (§121.051), a developer must:
- rate each app, and each purchase inside it (§121.052);
- tell each store before a "significant change," including "new monetization features" (§121.053);
- verify age category and parental consent using the store's data (§121.054);
- use that data only for age limits, compliance and safety, then delete it (§121.055).
Can an 18+ app skip the check? Apple's age assurance Q&A asks whether 18+ apps still need its Declared Age Range API, the tool that passes an age bracket to apps. The answer: "Yes. In regions where legally required, you need to check the age of the people using your app with the Declared Age Range API." If a parent revokes consent, "Apple will prevent the app from launching."
From 2027, Alabama developers must request age data at each download or purchase and use the lowest category shown. California developers must request the phone's age signal (the bracket your phone sends an app) "when the application is downloaded onto, and launched from, a particular device," and treat it as the "primary indicator" of age.
| Role | Texas (now) | Alabama (January 1, 2027) | California (January 1, 2027) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who checks age | The app store, at account creation | The app store, at account creation | The phone's operating system, at setup |
| Parent's role | Approves each download and purchase | Gives verifiable consent for downloads and purchases | As account holder, enters the user's age at setup |
| Developer's job | Rate apps and purchases; verify via store data | Request age data at each download or purchase | Request the signal at download and launch |
| Who enforces | The state and consumers (DTPA) | Attorney general only | Attorney general only |
Where do we fit? Our games are built on Skillz (now Firy Inc, NYSE: FIRY), whose terms already bar anyone under 18 from registering or downloading. The new laws add a store-level check in front of that rule. They don't replace it.
Do these laws reach Android APKs downloaded from a website?
Nobody has said yet. Google's age-signal API only serves apps "updated by Google Play," and Atay's Android games install as APKs from our site, not Google Play. Texas defines an app store broadly, while Alabama, Utah, Louisiana and California cover platforms that distribute apps from third-party developers. As of September 26, 2026, we found no court ruling or attorney-general guidance on a developer's own download page. (Android Developers; state statutes)
An APK is an Android app's install file. Our Android games install as APKs from the official Atay game pages, because real-money skill games aren't on Google Play.
What's certain. In 2026, Google's Texas checks run inside Google Play, and its age API "is limited to apps that are updated by Google Play" (Android Developers, updated July 20, 2026). Google's Play Console help tells developers: "It is your responsibility to determine how these laws apply to your app, and whether and how to use these features to meet your obligations."
What the statutes say. Texas defines an app store as a service that "distributes software applications from the owner or developer" to a phone user (§121.002), with no third-party limit. Alabama, Utah and Louisiana cover services offering apps "from third-party developers." California's developer owns or hosts an app "in a covered application store."
What's open. No one has said whether a developer's own download page counts. California's rule runs through the phone's operating system, so it's the one to watch on Android; as of September 26, 2026, Google hasn't said how that signal will reach apps from outside Google Play.
What doesn't change. Skillz's 18+ rule covers downloading on every phone, and you may be asked for identifying information at withdrawal (Skillz User Terms §1.3.1, §8.3). An APK isn't a way around the age rule.
Do the new laws change who can play for cash?
No. The store's top bracket starts at 18, but eligibility comes from the platform's terms and state law. Skillz requires you to be at least 18 to register an account or even download a Skillz-powered game, and Atay's terms require 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi. Skillz may also ask for identifying information when you withdraw. (Skillz User Terms §1.3.1, §8.3; Atay Terms §2)
Skillz's User Terms (updated May 22, 2025) say that "to download Software," among other things, you must be "at least 18 years of age or older" (§1.3.1). Our terms (section 2) raise that to 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi.
Here's a gap most coverage misses. Every law's top bracket starts at 18, so from 2027 an 18-year-old in Alabama will pass the store's check and still can't play our games for cash until 19.
The store's "adult" starts at 18. Cash play may not.
A parent's approval doesn't change this, and neither does sharing an adult's account (why accounts can't be shared). At withdrawal, Skillz says "you may be required to submit your social security number or other identifying information" (§8.3).
Where you live is a separate question. As of September 26, 2026, Skillz lists five states with no cash games, Louisiana among them (check your state). For minimum ages by state, see how old you have to be to play cash game apps.
What happens next, and what should players do now?
For most players, nothing changes today. If you open a new Apple Account in Texas, confirm your age when asked, with a personal credit card or an ID scan. Watch for a Fifth Circuit ruling on Texas's law and for January 1, 2027, when Alabama and California start. Your minimum age to play for cash stays the same. (Apple Support; court dockets, checked September 26, 2026)
What to watch (as of September 26, 2026):
- The Fifth Circuit's merits ruling on Texas. No date is set.
- Alabama's attorney-general rules on how stores verify age (§10). None are published yet.
- The 2027 dates: January 1 (Alabama, California), May 6 (Utah), July 1 (Louisiana, plus California's deadline for phones in use) and October 1 (Alabama's existing accounts).
- Congress. H.R. 3149 has had no floor vote; S. 5090 and S. 1586 sit in committee.
The votes show a split. In every state vote we could document, chambers passed these bills almost unanimously. The House committee vote on the federal bill was 26-23.
Share of "yes" votes on app-store age bills
What to do, by situation:
- Existing account: nothing changes.
- New Apple Account in Texas: confirm when prompted, with a personal credit card or an ID scan, not a debit card.
- Parents: approving a minor's downloads doesn't open Skillz cash games to under-18s. For limits on your own play, see how to cut screen time without quitting.
- Turning 18 in Alabama: cash play there still needs 19.
Don't hand your ID or card details to anyone who contacts you about "verifying your age"; Apple's check happens in Settings or at the App Store prompt. And don't use someone else's account to get past a prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisiana's app store age verification law in effect?
No. Louisiana replaced its original law, which was set for July 1, 2026, with HB 977 (Act No. 185 of 2026), signed May 15, 2026. The new effective date is July 1, 2027. Some trackers still show the old date. Separately, Skillz cash matches aren't available in Louisiana.
Does the Texas app store law apply to existing Apple Accounts?
Apple applies Texas's rules to new Apple Accounts created in Texas on or after June 4, 2026, and says existing accounts on iOS 18 or earlier won't be affected. New Texas accounts may be asked to confirm the owner is 18 before downloading apps rated 18+.
How do I confirm I'm 18 on my iPhone?
Apple accepts information already on your account, a personal credit card, an ID scan (passport scanning works in Texas) or a Wallet Digital ID made from a US passport. Debit cards and gift cards don't count. To check your status, open Settings, tap your name, then Personal Information, then Age Confirmation.
When do Alabama's and California's age verification laws start?
Both start January 1, 2027. Alabama's HB 161 makes app stores verify age and get parental consent for minors. California's Digital Age Assurance Act, amended by AB 1856 on September 10, 2026, makes your phone's operating system ask for an age at setup and share an age bracket with apps.
Do these laws apply to Android APKs downloaded from a website?
It's unsettled. Google's age-signal tool only works for apps updated by Google Play, and most of the state laws cover stores that distribute apps from third-party developers. As of September 26, 2026, we found no court ruling or attorney-general guidance on developer download pages. Skillz's 18+ rule applies either way.
Can a 16- or 17-year-old play Skillz cash games with a parent's permission?
No. A parent's approval under these laws only lets a minor's account download or buy an app. Skillz's terms require you to be at least 18 to register or even download a Skillz-powered game, and Atay's terms require 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi.
The Bottom Line on App-Store Age Checks
The store now checks your age before the download, but the age to play for cash hasn't moved.
- Texas: live for new Apple Accounts since June 4, 2026; the Supreme Court declined to block it.
- Alabama and California: January 1, 2027. Utah: May 6, 2027. Louisiana: July 1, 2027.
- APKs from a developer's own website: unsettled.
- Cash play: 18+ even to download under Skillz's terms; 19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi.
Old enough and in an eligible state? Browse our games.
Sources
- Texas Legislature, S.B. No. 2420, App Store Accountability Act (enrolled; Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ch. 121, §§121.002, 121.021-.024, 121.051-.056, 121.101; vote certificates), retrieved 2026-09-26, capitol.texas.gov
- Alabama Legislature, HB 161, enrolled (§§1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 11, 15), retrieved 2026-09-26, alison.legislature.state.al.us
- California Legislative Information, AB 1043, Digital Age Assurance Act (Chapter 675, Statutes of 2025, approved October 13, 2025), retrieved 2026-09-26, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- California Legislative Information, AB 1856 (Chapter 184, Statutes of 2026, approved September 10, 2026; bill history and votes), retrieved 2026-09-26, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
- Supreme Court of the United States, Docket 25A1389, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas v. Paxton, and Docket 25A1390, CCIA v. Paxton (applications to vacate stay denied July 6, 2026), retrieved 2026-09-26, supremecourt.gov
- SCOTUSblog (Amy Howe), Supreme Court allows Texas to enforce law requiring age verification and parental consent on apps, July 6, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, scotusblog.com
- Wiley, Key Developments With State App Store Accountability Acts, as Texas Act Takes Effect, June 8, 2026 (Fifth Circuit administrative stay of May 28, 2026; stay pending appeal June 5, 2026), retrieved 2026-09-26, wiley.law
- CCIA, Supreme Court Opts not to Intervene and Block a Texas App Store Law that Likely Violates First Amendment, July 6, 2026 (expedited Fifth Circuit hearing expected in August), retrieved 2026-09-26, ccianet.org
- Apple Developer, Update for Apps Distributed in Texas, June 3, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, developer.apple.com
- Apple Developer, Age requirements for apps distributed in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana, February 24, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, developer.apple.com
- Apple Developer, Age assurance developer Q&A, retrieved 2026-09-26, developer.apple.com
- Apple Support, Age requirements for managing an Apple Account in the United States (Texas), article 127462, published June 4, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, support.apple.com
- Apple Support, If you're asked to confirm that you're an adult, article 125662, published September 14, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, support.apple.com
- Apple Support, Region-specific rules for managing an Apple Account, article 125666, published September 14, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, support.apple.com
- Android Developers (Google), Play Age Signals overview, last updated July 20, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, developer.android.com
- Google Play Console Help, Changes to Google Play for upcoming app store bills for users in applicable US states, retrieved 2026-09-26, support.google.com
- House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Full Committee Markup Recap: E&C Advances Eight Bills to the Full House of Representatives (H.R. 3149 reported 26-23, March 5, 2026), retrieved 2026-09-26, energycommerce.house.gov
- Congress.gov, S. 5090, Digital Age Assurance Act of 2026 (introduced July 22, 2026) and S. 1586, App Store Accountability Act (referred May 1, 2025), actions via the Congress.gov API, retrieved 2026-09-26, congress.gov
- Colorado General Assembly, SB26-051, Age Attestation on Computing Devices (signed June 3, 2026; effective July 1, 2028), retrieved 2026-09-26, leg.colorado.gov
- Stoel Rives, Utah's App Store Accountability Act Goes into Effect, May 15, 2025 (Utah "became the first state to pass legislation requiring app store providers to verify users' ages"), retrieved 2026-09-26, stoel.com
- Future of Privacy Forum, App Store Accountability Act comparison chart: Texas, Utah, Louisiana, last updated June 2, 2026 (Utah and Louisiana effective dates, enforcement and penalties), retrieved 2026-09-26, fpf.org
- Wiley, Utah Amends App Store Accountability Act (ASAA): Key Obligations Delayed Until May 6, 2027, April 30, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, wileyconnect.com
- McDermott Will & Schulte, Effort to invalidate original Utah App Store Act voluntarily dismissed following legislative amendments, April 29, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, mcdermottlaw.com
- Alston & Bird, Louisiana Delays App Store Accountability Effective Date to July 2027, May 27, 2026, retrieved 2026-09-26, alstonprivacy.com
- FastDemocracy, Louisiana HB 977 (2026) action history (House 94-0, Senate 36-0, "Becomes Act No. 185"), retrieved 2026-09-26, fastdemocracy.com
- Skillz, User Terms and Conditions of Service (updated as of May 22, 2025), sections 1.3.1 and 8.3, retrieved 2026-09-26, skillz.com/legal
- Skillz help center, Who is eligible to compete in Skillz competitions?, article 50571142430356 (updated July 5, 2026; US states without cash games), retrieved 2026-09-26, support.skillz.com
- Atay Games, Terms of Service, section 2 (eligibility), retrieved 2026-09-26, ataygames.com/terms
- Atay Games first-party check: the US App Store web pages of all 12 Atay listings (each shows an 18+ age rating) and Apple's public iTunes lookup API (each returns the legacy 17+ label with a "Gambling" advisory), September 26, 2026.
Legal disclaimer. This article is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes statutes, court orders and platform pages as of September 26, 2026, and all of them can change; the Texas case is still on appeal. Nothing here says how any law applies to a particular app, business or person. Real-money play is 18+ under Skillz's User Terms (older in some states), and availability depends on where you live. If gaming stops being fun, call or text the National Council on Problem Gambling's helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Play Informed
Check your age and your state first, then play for fun. Cash play is optional, skill-based and 18+ (19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi).
Browse Atay Games
