Changes to Google Play for upcoming app store bills for users in applicable US states

A few U.S. states, currently Texas, Utah and Louisiana, have recently passed verification laws requiring app stores to verify users’ ages, obtain parental approval, and provide users' age information to developers. These laws also create new obligations for developers who distribute their apps through app stores in these states. The effective dates for these laws, applicable for both developers and Google Play, are quickly approaching and present short implementation timelines across the ecosystem.

While we have user privacy and trust concerns with these new verification laws, Google Play is designing APIs, systems, and tools to help you meet your obligations. Given the significant implications of these changes across the ecosystem, we are working to keep Play a trusted experience for everyone while also providing you information to support your preparations.

Our plan to support you

The first app store bill will take into effect in Texas on Jan 1, 2026, followed by Utah (Effective date: May 7, 2026) and Louisiana (Effective date: July 1, 2026), pending any other developments.

These laws impose significant new requirements on many apps that may need to provide age appropriate experiences to users in these states. These requirements include ingesting users’ age ranges and parental approval status for significant changes from app stores and notifying app stores of significant changes. It is important that you review these laws and understand your obligations.

To help you meet your obligations under these laws, we plan to provide:

  • A New Play API: For users in these states, your app will be able to receive users’ age verification or supervision status, age ranges, and other applicable signals using the Play Age Signals API (beta).
  • Play Console features: You will have the ability to notify Google Play of a significant change in Play Console without publishing a new version of your app. Additionally, you will also get a report in Play Console showing when a parent revokes approval for your app.

  • Trust & safety requirements: To protect users, your use of this new API must comply with Google Play’s requirements governing how data from the API must be handled.

We will keep updating this page with new information. Check back here for the latest.

Planned dates and next steps (subject to change)

Key Dates Milestone
October 2025 API requirements and a detailed integration guide with example code for the new Play API have been published for you to get started.
January 1, 2026 The new Play API will be live for applicable users in Texas when the Texas bill takes effect.
May 7, 2026 Utah bill goes into effect.
July 1, 2026 Louisiana bill goes into effect.

If you would like to learn more or have any additional questions, please contact our support team.

Frequently asked questions

Is age verification or supervision going to be required for all Google Play users globally?

Currently, only new users on Google Play in applicable US states will be required to be verified or supervised.

When and how do I provide Google Play notice of significant changes requiring parental approval?

You will be able to notify us of these changes in Play Console, without needing to publish a new version of your app.

What kind of age ranges will the API provide?

More details are shared in the API integration guide.

Can I ask Google Play to block all users in a specific state from downloading my app?

We do not plan to change our approach to app releases and country targeting. However, you are free to implement your own geo-restriction solutions in your app.

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