iOS 27 age verification is completely broken

• Does the Birthdate on your Apple Account match what is shown on your Driver's License when going to Settings > [name on top] > Personal Information > Birthday?
• Do you have a Credit Card added to your Wallet that is not yours?
• Do you have a VPN installed? If so, remove it instead of just turning it off.
• For best scanning results of the identification, place the card on a solid dark background in a well lit area without any glare. Hold phone still while the scan is being performed. If you receive a failure message, restart your phone before trying again.

It is your region that introduced it and the regions that did not pass age verification laws do not have to do it. That is why you are seeing it now where it has not been the case for you.

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

If you don't agree with the Age Verification laws that were passed in your region, then that is something you would have to take up with your Government. The only thing Apple can do is comply with all local laws and regulations.

Have you updated to iOS 27.2? If not, there is a selfie option for age verification that may work for you:

Confirm that you're an adult with a selfie - Apple Support

If you are just worried about what Apple does with your data, then review their Privacy Statements:

Legal - Apple Privacy Policy - Apple

Hi all. I had the same problem but just updated the phone to the latest software and then it gave me a selfie option, which worked right away

Then I would recommend taking your License to the Apple Store where they can assist in scanning the card. If there is a problem, it can then be addressed.

JAELEIGH3 wrote:

Me too, I can’t even download apps anymore because my verification keeps failing though my pictures of my id are clear as daylight. This update needs to be fixed asap.

Did you update to iOS 27.2 and use the Selfie option.

Confirm that you're an adult with a selfie - Apple Support

This support page has information about Apple support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support If live support options (chat and/or telephone) are available they will show near the bottom left.

- Telephone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.

- Chat options (telephone numbers appear as active links, not plain text) may depend upon cellular connectivity. If a number shows as an active link, click on it to see additional options.

- If chat is not available on the top level support page, try selecting your hardware and narrow down your issue to see if a support article offers a support link offering chat. For example, the contact support link on this page Check your Apple Account balance - Apple Support offers a chat link about emptying account balance even on a computer where the top level page does not offer any chat.

With an iPhone, iPad, or Vision, you may be able to chat using the Apple Support App if it is available in your country —> https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

The only other thing that occurs to me is different countries use different conventions for date entries. Make sure you enter all the digits and the correct day and month order for Australia.

If this was a problem that affected every user in Australia where they were unable to use the Age Verification mandated by the Country, it would be the top story on every news outlet there and I suspect that is not the case.

Does that mean there could be some that are struggling with the verification, absolutely. If you have followed the steps provided to make sure the identification is placed on a dark, solid colored background with good lighting not showing any glare, then taking the phone to Apple for them to assist is your best option, no matter how unfortunate that may be.

What that means for you personally is totally up to you.

Rodders7602 wrote:

What an absolute farce. Would expect something like this from a local, backyard hack service.

Couldnt even download a basic finance app today because of this joke.

Am not driving 40 minutes to my “local” Apple Store and navigating a major shopping center headache either, if it doesn’t resolve itself soon am 100% jumping ship.

Jumping ship might not help. ID is required by local law, not Apple. Whatever device you switch to will still require you to provide ID and might be just a problematic. Your best, and probably cheapest, bet is to make an appointment at the local Apple store and get their help.

• Does the Birthdate on your Apple Account match what is shown on your Driver's License when going to Settings > [name on top] > Personal Information > Birthday?

Yes they are both the same.

• Do you have a Credit Card added to your Wallet that is not yours?

No there are no credit cards attached to my wallet that are not mine.

• Do you have a VPN installed? If so, remove it instead of just turning it off.

No I don't have any VPN's installed.

• For best scanning results of the identification, place the card on a solid dark background in a well lit area without any glare. Hold phone still while the scan is being performed. If you receive a failure message, restart your phone before trying again.

Tried this multiple times, with dark background, there is no glare and there are no issues with the photos, they are clear. I still get the error message.

It may be that you are using a Debit Card which is not acceptable for age verification, but can be used for purchases.

In any case, update to OS 27.2 and see if the new selfie option will work for you instead.

Edit - I finally got it fixed but had to add my real credit card (debit card wouldn’t accept). I wasn’t happy about doing it but no way around it. Apple this is BS & needs to be removed.

I’ve tried everything… selfie, drivers license, credit card. I don’t have a passport. But no luck. The selfie screen fails to load and just spins

Agreed, same problem here. What a pathetic system from this “tech giant”. I’m 50yo and have been with Apple 20+ years and cannot verify my age to save my life. Don’t have a credit card or passport and the Australian drivers license is impossible to capture without glare with all its security features.

I agree…Apple should do more to determine whether someone is an adult from the age of their account and the fact that multiple devices have previously been purchased directly from Apple Store using a credit card and linked to the same account now needing Age Verification.

At least, Microsoft, was diligent enough to do so, and instantly verified my accounts used for Windows and Xbox without needing any further age verification to access adult content.

Speaking of which: my current iPhone will actively block any 3rd-party apps by Microsoft from viewing age restricted content online; even though, Microsoft, has verified any accounts logged into apps as used by an adult and able to view unrestricted content.

What an absolute farce. Would expect something like this from a local, backyard hack service.

Couldnt even download a basic finance app today because of this joke.

Am not driving 40 minutes to my “local” Apple Store and navigating a major shopping center headache either, if it doesn’t resolve itself soon am 100% jumping ship.

Couldn’t agree more. This whole ID check thing is absolutely pathetic.

Follow the instructions over and over and it simply doesn’t work. Reach out for help and all they do is give you the same instructions again.

Hopeless.

What are we even paying for?

The only other suggestion I’ve had is to go the nearest Apple store, which is nearly 5 hours away.

Really? I have to go to all that trouble just because you lot can’t provide the service you’ve already been paid for?

What's more of a joke: Is Australian Government having GovID app to verify who you are for government services and for reasons of protecting your identity; although, they'd rather not use an already established government system/app for Identification/Age Verification, and enforce non-sensical laws/regulations that require a plethora of 3rd-party entities to verify your age as an adult to even use an iPhone or Mac/PC, and also, be responsible in safely storing your personal data.

It would be more logical for Australian Government to use Gov-ID app restricted for Adults ONLY and any restricted websites/services to generate QR-Codes or request that Gov-ID app verify age and simply respond with confirmation or denial of access etc.

edit: That way you will not be required to have a credit card or upload an image of your driver's licence or passport to identify yourself.

I Picked This Username wrote:

What's more of a joke: Is Australian Government having GovID app to verify who you are for government services and for reasons of protecting your identity; although, they'd rather not use an already established government system/app for Identification/Age Verification, and enforce non-sensical laws/regulations that require a plethora of 3rd-party entities to verify your age as an adult to even use an iPhone or Mac/PC, and also, be responsible in safely storing your personal data.

It would be more logical for Australian Government to use Gov-ID app restricted for Adults ONLY and any restricted websites/services to generate QR-Codes or request that Gov-ID app verify age and simply respond with confirmation or denial of access etc.

Um...okay. Maybe the Australian government?

jamiefrombx wrote:

Edit - I finally got it fixed but had to add my real credit card (debit card wouldn’t accept). I wasn’t happy about doing it but no way around it. Apple this is BS & needs to be removed.

What needs to be removed?

• If you mean the Age Verification, that is required by your region, not by Apple. For regions that don't require it, you don't need to do any sort of Age Verification.
• The Debit Card is not acceptable for Age Verification and if you are in the EU you can read the OFCOM regulations stating they will not allow a Debit Card to be used to comply with their regulations passed by the Government.
• With iOS 27.2, Apple did add a selfie option that works for many, but just because it may not be accepted for you does not mean others should not be able to see if it will work for them, for many it does.

Mandownunder wrote:

This will be my last Apple product. Apple has betrayed its customers. Treating us all as children by default.

Feel free to buy an Android phone and find out you have to perform the same Age Verification there. I guess then it will be your last Android phone. Well, that always leaves you the good old fashion landline phone. Good Luck!

Mandownunder wrote:

Obviously you have little understanding of open source on android.

You are more than welcome to give it a shot and also review the same complaints on the Android Support forum. I would always recommend choosing the best platform to meet your needs.

Just yesterday Google made the warning that users in Australia may soon be required to prove age for additional services that are not currently required, like Gmail and Messages, as there is a push to pass an even more restrictive law.

• https://www.firstpost.com/tech/no-gmail-for-under-18-google-says-australias-new-law-could-change-access-age-14058807.html

Yep same here. Just spent a small fortune on iPad Pro and Apple can’t coordinate elementary ID.

I’m having the same issue, I contacted apple support and their response was they can’t do anything about it

100% agree. It’s a joke! I’m also worried about what they will do with the data that we do upload.

why introduce it after years of never having it. Apple fix this asap please.

I don’t understand this another credit card

Me too, I can’t even download apps anymore because my verification keeps failing though my pictures of my id are clear as daylight. This update needs to be fixed asap.

I tried face scanning but keeps failing it literally keeps misreading thinking I'm not 18 when I'm 18 years old

This will be my last Apple product. Apple has betrayed its customers. Treating us all as children by default.

Obviously you have little understanding of open source on android.