Apple is restricting a fast-growing category of apps. Here’s what users need to know

Apple will require developers to declare by Jan. 12, 2027 whether their apps use AI to facilitate romantic connections or offer a virtual companion engaging users in sexual or romantic content, and will impose a minimum 18+ age rating on such apps starting Nov. 16, according to Apple's Nov. 2 developer announcement. Apps must also declare real-world location sharing, though in Brazil regulations require only an above-16 rating. The change lands as dating apps including Hinge, Tinder and Bumble add AI features and as a 2025 Common Sense Media survey found 72% of teens ages 13 to 17 have used AI companions at least once, with 31% saying the experience is more satisfying than talking to humans.

Apple is about to put greater restrictions on dating apps and AI https://www.fastcompany.com/section/artificial-intelligence companions. Starting on Nov. 16, it will require developers to declare whether their apps use AI to facilitate romantic connections. The apps that do use AI, whether it’s an AI companion, or technology that assists humans in connecting to one another, will only be allowed for users over 18. According to Apple’s Nov. 2 announcement, https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=yxkh08us apps will have to declare whether the app offers real-world location sharing, as well as “features that enable dating or relationship connections between real people and/or a virtual companion that engages a user in sexual or romantic content.” The announcement continued, that app creators “must provide these declarations when submitting an app update or making changes to your age rating questionnaire.” It noted that the declarations must be complete by Jan. 12, 2027, and said that all apps using the technology must have a minimum age rating of 18+. In some places, location sharing won’t automatically impact minimum age restrictions, like in Brazil where regulations only require an above-16 rating. Dating apps have been widely adopting AI to assist romance-seekers in making connections. Apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble use AI for things like helping with profile creation, choosing photos, suggesting matches, and more. And earlier this year, Bumble announced it’s introducing an AI matchmaker named “Bee” https://www.fastcompany.com/91545621/your-next-bumble-match-may-be-chosen-by-ai-instead-of-your-thumb to the app. Of course, the age-related changes may not be widely felt on dating apps themselves, given most dating platforms already have 18+ restrictions in place. Still, many AI companion companies have a large number of teen users. Some of the most popular apps teens are using to connect with non-human companions are Character.AI https://www.fastcompany.com/91241586/character-ai-is-under-fire-for-hosting-pro-anorexia-chatbots , Nomi https://www.fastcompany.com/91043874/nomi-bots-friends-mentors-and-lovers , and Replika https://www.fastcompany.com/91152367/ai-chatbots-companions-romantic-sexual-relationships-red-flags-privacy-ethics , ChatGPT https://www.fastcompany.com/91355975/your-reliance-on-chatgpt-might-be-really-bad-for-your-brain . But while ChatGPT and Claude aren’t aimed at companionship, teens are using them the same way in droves. According to a 2025 survey https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=yxkh08us from Common Sense Media, 72% of teens ages 13 to 17 have used AI companions at least once. But a staggered 52% use them regularly. In maybe the survey’s starkest finding, 31% said it’s more satisfying than talking to humans. Common Sense Media has routinely recommended that AI companions should not be used by anyone under the age of 18. In an April 2025 press release, https://about.commonsensemedia.org/press-room/press-releases/ai-companions-decoded-common-sense-media-recommends-ai-companion-safety-standards James P. Steyer, the CEO of Common Sense Media, warned that AI companions are dangerous for minors for a host of reasons. “Social AI companions are not safe for kids. They are designed to create emotional attachment and dependency, which is particularly concerning for developing adolescent brains.” Steyer continued, “Our testing showed these systems easily produce harmful responses including sexual misconduct, stereotypes, and dangerous ‘advice’ that, if followed, could have life-threatening or deadly real-world impact for teens and other vulnerable people.” Fast Company reached out to Apple about the recent announcement but did not hear back by the time of publication.