The latest iOS 26.4 developer beta has introduced age verification, although so far only for the UK. You can postpone setting it up, but the whole process is absurdly fast to do.
Apple has added age verification to the UK iOS 26.4 beta
Apple has added age verification to the UK iOS 26.4 beta
Amongst features such as improved RCS messaging encryption, the latest iOS 26.4 beta has added age verification for the first time. For now, it’s present in the UK beta because the country’s Online Safety Act requires it.
Apple’s implementation is not part of how the UK uses the act to mandate that adult sites verify users’ ages. It’s instead another aspect of how parents can already limit their children to age-appropriate apps on the iPhone.