Apple plans a November 16 App Store rating descriptor for romantic AI companions

Apple announced a Dating and Relationships descriptor that will apply from November 16, 2026.

Apple announced on November 2 that App Store Connect would add new content descriptors starting November 16. The Dating and Relationships descriptor covers features that enable dating or relationships between people and virtual companions that engage users in sexual or romantic content. Apple says apps that include this descriptor receive a minimum age rating of 18+. [Apple Developer notice](https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=yxkh08us)

The rating follows what the app enables

The change gives developers a way to describe a feature that may be part of a broader app. A product can present a virtual character as one mode alongside general conversation or productivity tools. The relevant question under Apple’s notice is whether the app includes a companion that engages in romantic or sexual content. The announcement addresses those behaviors and dating functionality. It does not describe a general minimum age for every app with an AI chat interface.

Apple’s notice also describes a separate Shared Location descriptor. The company says that descriptor may have no effect on the minimum rating in some regions. App teams should read the descriptors independently and check how their declared features affect the rating that applies to their distribution. [Apple Developer notice](https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=yxkh08us)

The store listing and the product need to agree

An age rating is a signal people can use before downloading an app. A clear description helps a parent or user understand which feature caused the rating. Within the product, the same distinction should be legible without depending only on icons, color or a character’s appearance. A user should be able to tell from the mode’s name and explanation what kind of interaction they are entering.

The November 2 announcement establishes the new descriptor, the start date and the rating floor for Dating and Relationships. The practical preparation for a developer is to review the features actually available in the app and make the listing and in-app explanations reflect them. [Apple Developer notice](https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=yxkh08us)