Apple adds two App Store Connect age-rating descriptors on November 16
Apple says App Store Connect will add Shared Location and Dating and Relationships descriptors starting November 16, 2026. Apps must complete the declarations by January 12, 2027; apps that include Dating and Relationships receive a minimum age rating of 18+.

Full Report
Apple announced that App Store Connect will add two age-rating content descriptors on November 16, 2026, to better reflect app features and meet local regulations. Shared Location means sharing real-world location with another person or group. Dating and Relationships covers dating or relationship connections between real people, as well as a virtual companion that engages a user in sexual or romantic content.
Developers must provide the declarations when submitting an app update or changing the age-rating questionnaire, and all apps must complete them by January 12, 2027. Apps that include Dating and Relationships receive a minimum age rating of 18+. Shared Location may not affect an app’s minimum rating in some regions.
Brazil’s local rules require an A16 rating for Shared Location and an A18 rating for Dating and Relationships. Developers who believe an app qualifies for a lower Brazilian rating can apply directly to Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security. Apple cites location sharing designed specifically for parents and children as a possible example. Once verified, the official rating will appear on the App Store in Brazil.
The new descriptors extend Apple’s age-rating questionnaire updates. In its July 2025 announcement of the previous update, Apple added 13+, 16+, and 18+ to the existing 4+ and 9+ ratings and noted that ratings can vary by country or region. The latest changes add declarations for location sharing and dating or relationship features.
Why This Matters
Developers will need to check whether their apps include either feature and submit the required declarations by the stated deadline. Brazil’s specific A16 and A18 requirements, alongside its official lower-rating request process, show why developers may need to account for regional rating rules.

Evidence
Start with the primary evidence, then review supporting sources and context.
Primary Evidence
1Upcoming: New age rating content descriptors in App Store Connect
“Starting November 16, 2026, App Store Connect will include new content descriptors to help ensure your app’s age ratings accurately reflect its features and are in accordance with local regulations. When completing the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect, you’ll need to declare whether your app includes: Shared Location: Sharing of real-world…”
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