Google will expand controversial age checks on Android globally by the end of the year

Google has announced that age checks on Android devices will be expanded worldwide by the end of 2026, impacting how developers and users interact with apps on the platform. Following this move, the Play Age Signals API will become available to all Google Play developers globally, extending functionality beyond its current rollout in Brazil and upcoming launches in Australia and Canada by mid-August.

The Play Age Signals API lets parents share their child’s age range with apps to support personalized and age-appropriate experiences. Adults also have the option to share their own age in supported apps. The API delivers these details directly to developers, enabling them to tailor app content for different audiences.

For app creators, Google is introducing flexibility in implementing these safety features. Developers will be able to select protections suited to their app type, rather than adhering to one-size-fits-all rules. For example, requirements for a weather app will differ from those for entertainment content.

While these features are introduced, parents can manage age-sharing for all Google Play apps using the API from a single location in Google Family Link, without needing to individually configure settings per app. If parents opt in, children automatically receive age-appropriate content, and the settings can be changed or disabled at any time.