Apple Updates App Store Age Rating Rules for South Korea

Apple is updating age rating procedures for the App Store in the Republic of Korea, introducing a direct RCN override system today and adjusting content descriptors for mature themes and profanity this coming October, aligning platform compliance more tightly with the Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) standards.

Overriding Ratings via App Store Connect Using GRAC Classifications

For developers distributing software within the Games and Entertainment categories, navigation of regional compliance just shifted. Historically, Apple generated regional age ratings based strictly on questionnaire data submitted through App Store Connect. Now, compliance engineering takes a more direct route. If an application possesses an official rating from the Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC), developers can bypass standard assignments.

By providing the GRAC Rating Classification Number (RCN) during the next version submission, teams can explicitly override existing ratings. They can map their software to any of the four official South Korean tiers: All, 12+, 15+, or 19+.

Content Descriptor Shifts Taking Effect in October 2026

Starting in October 2026, Apple will reclassify two specific content descriptors for the Republic of Korea storefront, moving them from an “All” rating baseline up to a mandatory “12+” age floor.

The impacted categories include infrequent profanity and crude humor, alongside infrequent mature or suggestive themes. Software containing these elements will no longer clear the lowest age bracket in the region.

Technical and Compliance Realities for Third-Party Developers

The 30-Second Verdict

• Effective Today: Developers can override Korean App Store age ratings by supplying their official GRAC Rating Classification Number (RCN) upon submission.
• Coming October 2026: Infrequent profanity, crude humor, and infrequent mature themes shift from an “All” rating to a mandatory “12+” threshold.