Google implements YouTube-style age verification for the Play Store

The launch of the new Play Store age verification process was spotted by Artem Russakovskii, who shared screenshots of the verification message on a post on X.

He new system is designed to require users to verify their age before downloading certain apps. Age verification can be completed using one of several methods, including:

• Upload a government-issued ID.
• Take a selfie.
• Using a credit card (no transaction fee and any temporary charges are refunded).
• Email verification through a third-party age estimation provider such as Verifymy.io.

The launch of the new Play Store age verification system could happen gradually and could vary by region. Users in some regions may not have to verify their age at all. Verification options may also vary by region. For example, the Verifymy.io method is not yet available in my country.

Why do you need to verify your age to use the Google Play Store?

In a recent blog post For developers, Google explained the regulatory reasons for implementing age verification in the Play Store. Some US states, currently Texas, Utah, and Louisiana, have recently passed verification laws requiring app stores to verify users’ ages, obtain parental approval, and provide information about users’ ages to developers.

“The first app store bill will go into effect in Texas on January 1, 2026, followed by Utah (effective date: May 7, 2026) and Louisiana (effective date: July 1, 2026), pending any further developments. These laws impose important new requirements on many apps that may need to provide age-appropriate experiences for users in these states. These requirements include ingest of user age ranges and parental approval status for significant changes to app stores and notify app stores of significant changes,” Google wrote in the blog post.

These state laws are part of broader child protection and digital age legislation sweeping across the United States right now. Tech giants like Google and Apple have been ordered to verify users’ ages before granting them access to their app stores. companies have argument that the measure could potentially affect user privacy by requiring the collection of personally identifiable information. However, both Google and Apple have had to reluctantly comply.

To help developers adapt, Google also released a Play Age Signals API (currently in beta). It is designed to allow developers to receive limited and privacy-preserving “aging signals” about users without directly collecting their personal data.

How Verifymy.io works

One of the services used by Google for Play Store age verification is Verifymy.io. It is not based on biometric or government identification data. Instead, it uses your email address to estimate your age and determine if you are over 18 years old.

“This is done by reviewing the sites and apps where you have previously used this email address. If we are unable to estimate your age using your email address, you may be able to use alternative methods available, such as ID scanning or facial age estimation,” the site notes.

This method appears to be the quickest, easiest, and most privacy-preserving way to verify your age online, but because it depends on previous digital activity linked to your email, it may not work for everyone.

It’s not Google’s fault, but users may not be happy

Since Google implemented age verification on YouTube earlier this year, it has drawn heavy criticism from users. Many adult users report that they have been wrongly marked as minors and forced to verify using sensitive personal information, including selfies, credit cards, or government IDs.

Users also find these new systems very intrusive. Platforms like Reddit and

Since the Play Store age verification process works in the same way, users in affected regions may have problems downloading apps if they do not follow one of the provided methods.