Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Texans who download apps will see new prompts before they hit “install.”
A state law known as the App Store Accountability Act, or Senate Bill 2420, will require platforms to verify a user’s age before apps are available to download.
Supporters say the change strengthens online safety for kids. Critics, including Apple and Google, say the rules could compromise user privacy by requiring more personal data collection.
The law passed in May and was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in August.
Here’s what to know about how it will work.
Who will have to verify their age?
Anyone in Texas who creates an account with an app store, like Apple or Google Play, will be asked to verify their age, according to the bill.
App store owners must use a “commercially reasonable” method to determine whether a user is a child (under 13), younger teenager (13 to 15), older teenager (16 to 17) or adult (18 and older).
If the user is under 18, the app store must link their account to a parent or guardian’s account before allowing downloads or purchases.
Parents will be able to manage permissions and monitor activity through these connected accounts.
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What does parental consent look like under the new law?
Before a minor can download, buy, or make in-app purchases, the app store must get permission from a parent or guardian through the connected parent account.
Parents will receive information about the app before granting consent, including its content rating, what data it collects and whether that data will be shared.
If a parent later withdraws permission, the app developer must be notified to disable access. A single parent account can be linked to multiple child accounts, allowing families to manage several users from one place.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes. The law does not require consent for apps that provide emergency or crisis services, such as 911 or mental-health hotlines.
Nonprofit educational apps used for standardized testing or college admission programs are also exempt.
Apps that collect only limited information for legal or safety purposes, such as identity checks under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, are excluded as well.
How are Apple and Google responding?
Apple announced that it will roll out new systems for Texas users ahead of the 2026 deadline.
Anyone creating a new Apple ID will have to verify their age, and minors will need to join a Family Sharing group to access the App Store. Parents in those groups will approve app downloads and purchases.
The company said it is introducing a Declared Age Range API to help developers classify users by age and renew consent when apps undergo significant updates.
However, Apple also voiced concerns that the law could impact user privacy by requiring more personal data collection, according to PCMag.
Google plans to make similar adjustments to its Play Store in Texas, Utah and Louisiana.
In a company blog post about Utah’s App Store Accountability Act. Google’s public policy director, Kareem Ghanem, said the legislation shifts responsibility to app stores instead of social platforms that expose minors to harmful content.
“These proposals introduce new risks to the privacy of minors, without actually addressing the harms that are inspiring lawmakers to act,” he said.
What happens if companies do not comply?
Under Section 121.101 of the Texas bill, violating the new age-verification or parental-consent rules will count as a deceptive trade practice under Texas law, which could lead to enforcement or legal action from the state.
App stores and developers can avoid penalties if they follow widely accepted industry standards and act in good faith when verifying users’ ages and obtaining consent.
Is Texas the only state doing this?
Texas is one of several states passing new rules to protect minors online. Similar age-verification laws are set to take effect in Utah and Louisiana in 2026.
Apple said the same verification features it introduces for Texas will also be extended to users in those states.
Other states are considering their own versions of the policy, part of a growing national conversation about online safety and data protection for minors.