Where to find and change your age on iPhone

Your age on iPhone lives in your Apple ID settings, not in the phone's general settings. To change it, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then select Name, Phone Numbers, Email. You will not see age listed there — instead, go back and tap Password and Security, then Account Data. From there, select Personal Information to find your date of birth.

Tap the date of birth field and enter your correct date. The change saves when ready. If you cannot find this path on your phone, your iOS version may be older; in that case, go to Settings > your name > iCloud > Account Settings > Personal Information.

Apple restricts how often you can change your date of birth — typically once per year. If you need to change it a second time within twelve months, you will see a message telling you when you can make the next change. This limit exists because your birth date controls access to age-restricted content and services tied to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your date of birth is stored in your Apple ID account settings under Personal Information, not in your phone's general settings.
  • Apple limits date of birth changes to once per year to prevent unauthorized account access.
  • Changing your age affects what content and services you can access, including app store restrictions and subscription may be able to access.
  • If you cannot locate the Personal Information option, check your iOS version — older versions use a different path through iCloud settings.

Why your age matters on your Apple ID

Your date of birth controls which apps and content the App Store shows you. Apps rated for ages 17 and up will not appear if your account is set to a younger age. Subscriptions like Apple Music and Apple TV+ also check your age — some content is restricted based on your account's listed age.

If you set your age incorrectly when you first created your Apple ID, you may have locked yourself out of apps or services you want to use. Changing it to the correct date restores access. However, Apple's once-per-year limit means you cannot change it back when ready if you make a mistake, so double-check before you save.

What happens when you change your age

Changing your date of birth takes effect right away across all your devices that use the same Apple ID. If you use your account on an iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, those devices will see the updated age within a few minutes. Any app restrictions or content filters tied to your age will adjust accordingly.

If you lower your age (making yourself younger in the system), some apps you already own may become restricted, though you can still use them — they just will not appear in search results or recommendations. If you raise your age (making yourself older), you gain access to previously restricted content when ready.

If you cannot change your age yourself

If you are under 18 and your account is managed by a parent or guardian through Family Sharing, you cannot change your own date of birth. The account organizer — the adult who set up Family Sharing — must make the change from their device.

That person should go to Settings > their name > Family Sharing, tap the child's name, then select Edit. From there they can update the date of birth. If the account organizer has forgotten their password, they will need to reset it through iforgot.apple.com before they can make changes.

Changing age on a child's account through Family Sharing

If you manage a child's account, open Settings on your own device and tap your name. Select Family Sharing, then tap the child's name from the list. Tap Edit and you will see the date of birth field. Update it and save.

The change applies when ready to the child's account across all their devices. Content restrictions and app availability will update within a few minutes. The child cannot undo this change themselves — only the account organizer can modify it again.

Troubleshooting: age change not working

If the date of birth field is grayed out or will not let you save, you may have already changed it once this year. Check the message on screen — it will tell you the exact date you can make your next change. You cannot bypass this limit.

If you see an error message when you try to save, sign out of your Apple ID completely, then sign back in. Go to Settings > your name > Sign Out, enter your password, then sign back in. Then navigate back to Personal Information and try again. If the problem persists, restart your phone and repeat the process.

On older iPhones running iOS 15 or earlier, the path to your date of birth is different. If you cannot find Personal Information under Account Data, try going through iCloud settings instead: Settings > your name > iCloud > Account Settings > Personal Information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age more than once a year?

No. Apple limits date of birth changes to once every twelve months. If you need to change it again, you must wait until the anniversary of your last change. The system will show you the exact date you become may be able to access to change it again.

Will changing my age affect my app purchases or subscriptions?

Your existing purchases and subscriptions stay active. Changing your age only affects what new content you can see and access going forward. Apps you already own will continue to work, though they may become hidden from search if they are now above your new age rating.

What if I set the wrong age when I created my Apple ID?

You can correct it by following the steps above. Go to your Personal Information in Apple ID settings and update your date of birth. The change takes effect when ready and restores access to any age-restricted content you should be able to use.

Can a child change their own age on their account?

No. If the account is managed through Family Sharing, only the account organizer (the parent or guardian) can change the date of birth. The child cannot make this change themselves, even if they know the account password.

Why does Apple limit age changes to once per year?

The limit protects your account security. Frequent age changes could allow someone with access to your device to bypass parental controls or content restrictions. The once-per-year rule makes it harder for unauthorized users to manipulate your account settings.