Apple Cracks Down on AI Girlfriends and Boyfriends With Shock 18+ Rule for App Store

Apple is tightening its App Store age restrictions, requiring dating apps and AI companions that offer romantic or sexual interactions to carry an 18+ rating, in a move that could affect popular platforms such as Character.AI and Replika.

Unlike general-purpose chatbots, AI companion apps allow users to interact with custom AI characters designed to embody particular personalities, including virtual friends, lovers, girlfriends and boyfriends. Apple's decision brings these experiences under the same adults-only classification as dating services when they involve qualifying romantic or sexual interactions.

Apple Tightens Rules on AI Companions

In an announcement to developers on 2 November, Apple outlined new content descriptors that will require apps to disclose whether they offer dating and relationship features or share users' real-world locations.

The company specifically includes virtual companions in its definition of dating and relationship functionality, covering features that connect users with real people or a virtual companion that engages users in 'sexual or romantic content'.

Apps offering these features will receive a minimum age rating of 18+, even if dating or romantic interactions are only one part of their wider functionality.

The new declarations will become available in App Store Connect on 16 November. Developers must provide the information when submitting app updates or changing their age-rating questionnaires, with all apps required to have the declarations completed by 12 January 2027.

The changes could affect services such as Character.AI and Replika, which allow users to interact with AI-generated personalities and develop simulated relationships. However, Apple has not confirmed the specific age ratings these platforms will receive.

AI Companions Hit 220 Million Downloads

Apple's decision comes as AI companionship becomes an increasingly popular segment of the consumer technology market.

According to data from app intelligence firm Appfigures, AI companion apps across Apple's App Store and Google Play had accumulated 220 million downloads globally by July 2025. Downloads increased 88% year over year during the first half of 2025, reaching 60 million.

The market has attracted major technology companies, too. xAI entered the AI companion market in July 2025 by introducing animated characters through its Grok platform, including an anime-style companion with Not Safe For Work capabilities.

These developments illustrate how AI companionship is moving beyond text-based conversations towards more immersive experiences. Under Apple's updated rules, developers must declare whether their apps offer the specified dating or relationship functionality, including interactions with virtual companions involving sexual or romantic content.

Apple Tightens Location-Sharing Rules

The policy update extends beyond AI relationships, introducing a separate requirement for apps that share users' real-world locations with another person or group.

Developers will have to declare whether their applications include this functionality so Apple can assess their age ratings according to applicable regional regulations. Shared-location features do not automatically trigger a higher minimum age rating in every region.

Brazil has specific requirements under the updated system. Local regulations require an A16 rating for apps offering shared-location functionality and an A18 rating for dating and relationship services.

However, family-oriented location-sharing apps specifically designed for parents and children can request an official rating from Brazil's Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The lower rating is not automatic and must be approved by the ministry.

The changes do not ban AI companion apps from Apple's App Store. However, services offering qualifying virtual romantic relationships will face an 18+ minimum age rating, potentially limiting their availability to younger users.