If you’re stuck on Apple’s age verification in the UK,
iOS 26.4.1 may have just solved it — without a passport,
credit card, or a driving licence.
In this video, I show you exactly what happened when I
updated: the “Confirm You Are 18+” prompt and the All Set
screen that reveals what Apple actually used to verify me.
The answer might surprise you.
⏱ CHAPTERS
0:00 — Patch Changes Everything
0:26 — Quick Recap UK Lockout
0:47 — Unexpected All Set Screen
1:35 — How Apple Infers Age
2:59 — Is It Fixed Yet
3:24 — Test It and Report Back
3:48 — If Still Stuck Options
4:21 — Wrap Up and Next Steps
🔗 RELATED VIDEOS
Age verification not working? → [Part 1 link]
Your questions answered → [Part 2 link]
Thinking of switching to Android? → [Part 3 link]
#iPhone #AgeVerification #iOS26 #UK #OnlineSafetyAct
Age verification did not disappear with 26.4.1 unless you’ve had your Apple account over 18 years or you have Credit card attached to it. There’s too many failings it’s not picking up or reading peoples ID therefore I’m going to Samsung. I’ve already got an account with Samsung been with them since 2007.
No, it is still broke. It did not accept my Citizencard that Apple told me to get.
I just sent this to apple Dear Apple Legal Department,
I write to you formally and with urgency regarding the imposition of a mandatory age verification requirement on my iPhone, which is now restricting access to lawful content and core device functionality.
Your actions raise serious legal concerns under UK law and appear to constitute an unlawful and disproportionate interference with my rights as a consumer and data subject. and Misrepresentation of Legal Obligation
Your system indicates that age verification is “required by law.” This is factually incorrect in the UK context.
The Online Safety Act 2023 imposes obligations on providers of specific online services (e.g. adult content platforms), not on device manufacturers to enforce blanket, system-wide identity verification.
By presenting this requirement as a legal necessity, Apple is engaging in misleading commercial conduct, potentially in breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
Unlawful Restriction of Purchased Goods
I have purchased this device outright. Your subsequent imposition of access restrictions unless I provide personal identification constitutes:
A material degradation of the product post-sale
An interference with my lawful use and enjoyment under the Consumer Rights Act 2015
The introduction of new conditions not disclosed at the point of purchase
This is wholly unacceptable. I did not agree to provide identity documentation as a condition of using a general-purpose communication device..
Disproportionate and Coercive Data Processing (UK GDPR)
Requiring submission of identification (e.g. passport, driving licence, or financial instruments) in order to restore normal device functionality is:
Excessive and not necessary for the stated purpose
Potentially lacking a valid lawful basis under Article 6 UK GDPR
In breach of the principles of data minimisation and proportionality
Furthermore, the coercive nature of this requirement “provide data or lose functionality” calls into question whether any consent obtained is freely given, as required under UK GDPR.
4. Overreach Beyond Statutory Requirements
Apple has unilaterally implemented a device-level enforcement mechanism that goes far beyond UK legal requirements. This effectively places Apple in the position of a gatekeeper over lawful internet access, without clear statutory authority.
This level of control is unwarranted, disproportionate, and legally questionable.
5. Notice of Intended Escalation
Unless this matter is resolved promptly, I will have no hesitation in escalating complaints to:
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Trading Standards
Ofcom (in relation to regulatory overreach and misapplication of the Online Safety framework)
I will also consider pursuing remedies available to me under consumer protection and data protection law.
6. Required Action
I require the following within 14 days:
A precise legal basis under UK law justifying this requirement at device level
Immediate removal of any restriction on my device not strictly required by statute
Confirmation that I may use my device without submitting identity documentation
Full disclosure of all data processing activities related to age verification
Failure to provide a satisfactory response will be taken as confirmation that Apple is unable to justify its position under UK law.
i was able with this update to verify with my passport, you will be given a option to take a photo instead of waiting for it to scan. With a couple of attempts it worked. Hope it helps for anyone.
The update didn’t work for me. I don’t drive, don’t have a passport, don’t have any credit cards- I’ve also had an Apple ID since at least iPhone 11!
My hubby has a credit card, but using that didn’t work. I use my phone for work and use apps for pics and messaging, it was an update I didn’t need or want. The short term fix I used was hubby getting me an additional credit card in my name. Hubby gets his credit card back, but I got one to use in emergency. The sneaky bit I don’t like is that if I had an app that needed ‘age verification’ I would of simply used one that didn’t- I don’t like to be forced to give out info just so my phone can function like the phone I paid for.
No and neither did an hour long phone call from a guy at Apple, they say the Uk government have made them do it the way they have done it and they don’t want to but they have to comply, I told the guy I’m going to help send Apple into extinction and it’ll be mentioned with blackberry’s as a past phase
Citizen card does not work, updated iPhone….still not working
yet older phones don’t support this update so logically this whole idea dose not even work
Missing the point. Apple has intentionally and without warning crippled the functionality of their devices. It was never stated that they could or would restrict my choices or apply their censorship when I purchased the item. Incidentally there is no law in the UK that requires OS level age verification.
Just updated to 26.4.1, verification still required
Should have read 73
No apple wallet !Driving Licence not working Credit card not working by the way I'm 3 years old 🤔
I updated to ios 26.4 and was pissed about the age verification and didn’t want to do it when the update first landed. However after watching your video I have since tried again today on iOS 26.4 (not 26.4.1) and it used my Apple ID to verify me this time around “without” the use of any personal ID’s.
But I’m now anti Apple since they took this route and not make their customers aware of this before hand
I managed to get a passport to work after about 15 attempts, and that was before update 26.4.1 🤷🏻♂️
If you have a credit card and be egg n using it in Apple Pay they know your over 18
lol normal people are ditching the iPhones and going elsewhere
Doesn’t work for me
I've been an iPhone user since 2025, so this was never going to work for me. Having got nowhere after contacting Apple, I have complained to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
No change after update.