Apple's New iOS 26 Makes Kids Ask Parents For Permission Before They Can New Numbers

Apple announced new updates to its parental controls during WWDC 25, launching features aimed at enhancing child safety. One key change is a feature that requires children to get permission from their parents before texting new phone numbers. This, along with other updates, will be included in the upcoming operating systems: iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, and tvOS 26, which will be released this fall.

The new feature, called Communication Limits, lets parents manage how their children communicate through Messages, FaceTime, calls, and iCloud contacts. When a child tries to contact a new number, they must request permission from their parents, who can easily approve it with a single tap in Messages. Third-party app developers can also utilize this feature through Apple's PermissionKit framework.

Additionally, Apple will introduce more detailed age-based ratings for apps. By the end of 2025, app ratings will expand to five categories: 13+, 16+, and 18+ for adolescents. Parents can set restrictions, which will prevent apps that are too mature from appearing in the App Store. However, children can still request access to certain apps if the "Ask to Buy" setting is enabled.

Apple's existing safety measures for children under 13, including web filters and app restrictions, will also be extended to teens aged 13 to 17 with similar protections. Parents will have the option to provide a general age range for their child when setting restrictions without revealing their exact birth date. Moreover, the Communication Safety feature will now activate if nudity is detected during FaceTime video calls or in Shared Albums in Photos.

These updates are in response to new age-verification laws in states like Texas and Utah. While Google has opposed some of these regulations, companies like Meta are advocating for laws that require parental approval before teens can download any app, shifting the responsibility to tech companies like Apple and Google.