Xbox to Enforce Age Verification in the UK by Early 2026 to Limit Unverified Social Features

Xbox Age Verification is live

Xbox users in the UK will soon be required to verify their age in order to retain access to certain social features such as messaging and voice chat with people outside their friends list.

The new policy is part of Microsoft’s compliance efforts with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which mandates stricter age verification protocols to better protect younger audiences online.

According to an official post on Xbox Wire, players who indicate they are 18 or older and are based in the UK will begin receiving prompts encouraging them to complete a one-time age verification process.

Starting in early 2026, Xbox accounts without verified age information will see limitations placed on their ability to interact socially on the platform. Specifically, users will still be able to communicate with friends, but contact with non-friends via text or voice chat will be blocked until verification is completed.

This move doesn’t affect gameplay, purchases, entitlements, or achievements. Players will still be able to play and buy games as usual. The restriction is entirely focused on communication features.

While the requirement currently applies only to UK users, Xbox has made it clear that more regions are expected to follow. “We expect to roll out age verification processes to more regions in the future,” signaling that global implementation could be on the horizon.

To complete the process, users can visit [https://aka.ms/XboxUKAgeVerification], where several verification methods are available. These include submitting government-issued ID, age estimation through AI, mobile provider checks, and credit card verification.

Microsoft has assured that any data collected will be encrypted and will not be stored or used beyond the age verification purpose.

Importantly, accounts set up for children or teens under parental management—such as through the Xbox Family Settings app—will not be subject to this verification. Parents are still encouraged to manage screen time, content access, and spending through these family tools.

This isn’t the first time age verification has entered the gaming spotlight. Roblox rolled out similar restrictions last year, requiring age checks before unlocking features like voice chat.

Looking ahead, Xbox plans to refine the system based on feedback and regional regulations. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to player safety,” the company said, underlining its commitment to working with local authorities and gaming communities as it expands the program globally.