Google is expanding its Play Age Signal API globally, allowing Android developers to better identify younger users and provide age-appropriate app experiences. 

The technology will be available in all markets, including the US, by the end of 2026, as governments step up pressure on app stores to improve online safety for children and teenagers.

The system was introduced in beta last year and is already available in Brazil. Google plans to expand it first to Australia and Canada by mid-August, before taking it to other countries later in the year.

Unlike some age verification systems, Google’s tool does not require users to upload a government ID or take a selfie. Instead, it works with Google Family Link, where parents can set age ranges for their children’s managed accounts. Developers can then use those signals to offer experiences suited to different age groups.

For example, parents could set an account’s age range at 16-17 years, allowing apps and content designed for that age group to be shown. Google says these age ranges can change as children grow older.

The move comes as regulators in several countries introduce stricter rules around online age checks. Some US states, including Texas, Louisiana and Utah, have introduced legislation requiring age verification for access to certain adult online content.

However, Google’s approach also faces questions around effectiveness and privacy. The system depends on users sharing age information, parents setting up age ranges, and developers choosing to use the API. Critics also point out that determined minors may create alternative accounts or provide false information.

With the global rollout, Google is taking a major step towards making age-aware experiences a standard part of the Android ecosystem. The success of the initiative will depend on how widely developers adopt it and whether it can balance child safety with user privacy.