Falling in love with artificial intelligence raises a lot of questions about loneliness, human connection and what the heck we’re doing as a species. Apple has a more immediate concern: Are you at least 18?

The company is tightening its App Store rules, requiring dating apps and AI companions that offer romantic or sexual interactions to carry an 18-and-over age rating. The change applies whether you’re looking for love with another human being or flirting with a chatbot that never leaves you on read.

Take Replika, an AI companion app that lets subscribers choose whether their chatbot is a friend, mentor or romantic partner. The app is already rated “18-plus” on Apple’s App Store, but the new rules will make that classification mandatory for other apps offering similar romantic interactions.

In a notice to developers on Monday, Apple said it will introduce two new content descriptors on Nov. 16: “Dating and Relationships” and “Shared Location.” Developers will have to disclose whether their apps offer dating features, including romantic or sexual interactions with virtual companions, or whether they allow users to share their real-world locations with others.

Location-sharing features may also affect age ratings, depending on the country. In Brazil, for example, apps that allow users to share their locations must carry a minimum age rating of 16, while dating apps require an 18-and-over rating. Developers have until Jan. 12, 2027, to complete the new disclosures for all their apps.

Digital dating and teens

Most major dating apps, including Tinder and Hinge, already require users to be at least old enough to vote (in the US, that is). The more interesting part is how Apple’s rules could affect AI companions, which have become increasingly popular.

Last year, Character.AI, a platform where users can create and interact with fictional AI personalities, removed open-ended chats for users under 18. The company continued offering other features to younger users, but the decision came amid growing concerns about the emotional and psychological risks of forming relationships with AI.

A 2026 Common Sense Media report, which surveyed more than 1,000 children ages 9 to 17, found that many were already treating AI as a confidant. An earlier 2025 study found that nearly three-quarters of teens had used AI companions, with a third choosing chatbots over humans for serious conversations. The nonprofit has warned that such relationships can pose risks to minors, particularly around emotional attachment and dependency.

Apple’s announcement also follows the company’s expanded parental controls in iOS 27, which gave parents more control over their children’s apps, browsing and screen time. The update introduced features that let parents approve websites before their children visit them, set time limits for app categories and restrict access to potentially harmful content.

However, an “18-plus” rating doesn’t automatically mean everyone has to verify their age. The labels work with parental restrictions, while Apple may require users to confirm they’re adults before downloading those adult apps in certain regions.

So the new rules won’t necessarily stop teenagers from finding a digital soulmate. They should, however, make it harder for apps offering romantic AI relationships to slip past age-based content restrictions — regardless of whether a chatbot says you’re mature for your age.

With more than a decade of experience, Nelson covers Apple and Google and writes about iPhone and Android features, privacy and security settings, and more. See full bio