Apple’s iOS Age Check Lets Some UK Pornhub Users Back On

*TL;DR Apple’s iOS 26.4 introduces device‑level age checks, allowing verified UK iPhone and iPad users to access Pornhub again.

Context In February 2025, Pornhub’s owner Aylo blocked most UK visitors, citing uneven enforcement of the Online Safety Act’s age‑verification rules. Only users who had previously registered and proved they were over 18 could view explicit content. The move cut UK traffic by more than 75%.

Key Facts - Apple released iOS 26.4 in March, adding the world’s first device‑based age verification for UK users. The system checks account age, payment history or ID documents such as passports. - Aylo announced that users who have completed Apple’s verification on the latest iOS or iPadOS version will be welcomed back to Pornhub. - Alex Kekesi, Aylo’s head of community and brand, called the Apple rollout “a major first step toward a global solution that stands to better protect children everywhere.” - Ofcom, the regulator enforcing the Online Safety Act, said it will monitor the change but stressed that sites must demonstrate effective age‑check processes. - Apple’s measures have drawn criticism from privacy group Big Brother Watch, which argues the checks limit internet freedom for those without credit cards or driver’s licences.

What It Means The partial reversal shows how device‑level verification can satisfy regulators while restoring revenue streams for adult sites. If Apple’s system proves reliable, other platforms may adopt similar checks, potentially reshaping the UK’s online‑age‑verification landscape. Watch for Ofcom’s assessment and any further policy tweaks as the industry adapts.