Mobile software content rating system
Age rating used to classify mobile software
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A mobile software content rating system is a rating system which is tailored to users of mobile software.
Comparison table
A comparison of current mobile software rating systems, showing age on the horizontal axis. Note however that the specific criteria used in assigning a classification can vary widely from one country/system to another. Thus a color code or age range cannot be directly compared from one country to another.
Key:
- White – No restrictions: All ages may play / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated.
- Yellow – Advisory: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.
- Purple – Strong advisory: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted.
- Red – Restrictive: People under the age must not use it without parental accompaniment.
- Black – Prohibitive: People under the age must not use it / Restricted to licensed premises / Banned.
Explanations of specific ratings are available in corresponding articles.
| Country/System | Age rating | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | ||
| App Store | — | 4+ (aged 5 and under) |
4+ (ages 6–8) |
4+ (ages 9–11) |
— | 13+ | 16+ | 18+ | No Rating | ||||||||||||||
| 4+ | 9+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
 Australia (ACB) |
G | M | R 18+ | CTC | |||||||||||||||||||
| PG | MA 15+ | RC | |||||||||||||||||||||
 Brazil (ClassInd) |
L | 6 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | — | |||||||||||||||
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Canada Mexico United States |
EC | E10+ | T | M | AO | RP | |||||||||||||||||
| E | RP – Likely Mature 17+ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
 Germany (USK) |
USK 0 | USK 6 | USK 12 | USK 16 | USK 18[1] | Confiscated[2] | |||||||||||||||||
| No Rating[3] | Unrated[4] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indexed[5] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
 Indonesia (IGRS) |
— | 3+ | 7+ | 13+ | 15+ | 18+ | Refused classification | ||||||||||||||||
| International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) | — | 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 16+ | 18+ | — | ||||||||||||||||
Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) Albania Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Kosovo Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom |
— | 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | ![6] | ||||||||||||||||
 Saudi Arabia (Gmedia/GAMR) |
— | 3 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 21 | TBC | |||||||||||||||
 South Korea (GRAC) |
ALL | 12 | 15 | 19 | Refused classification | ||||||||||||||||||
 Taiwan (GSRR) |
0+ | 6+ | 12+ | 15+ | 18+ | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy Store | All | 4+ | 12+ | 15+ | 18+ | Banned | |||||||||||||||||
| Huawei AppGallery | — | 3+ | 7+ | 12+ | 15+ | 18+ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Amazon Appstore | All Ages | Adult | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Guidance Suggested | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mature | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blackberry World | G | T | M | A | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common Sense Media | — | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Not Yet Rated | ||||
| Country/System | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Other |
Existing systems
App Store (iOS/iPadOS)
Since iOS 26, Apple's rating system for the App Store has followed the following rubric:[7]
- 4+: Contains no objectionable material. Apps specifically aimed at children can be placed into one of three subcategories: ages 5 and under, 6–8 and 9–11.
- 9+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 9.
- 13+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 13. Replaces the 12+ rating.
- 16+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 16. Replaces the 17+ rating.
- 18+: May contain content unsuitable for children under the age of 18. Replaces the 17+ rating.
Apps rated 17+ were prohibited from purchase by younger users.[8]
Google Play
Up until March 17, 2015 Google Play used the following rubric:[9][10]
- Everyone
- Low maturity
- Medium maturity
- High maturity
Google now uses the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) in most countries not represented by a rating authority, whilst countries or regions with a superimposed video game rating authority continues applying their own ratings where applicable. [11] This includes Americas (except Brazil), where ESRB is imposed, Brazil with ClassInd, Europe and Israel with PEGI, Australia with ACB and South Korea with GRAC. However, a new Google Play Rating system is used exclusively in Russia and for non-gaming apps in South Korea.[12] These ratings include:
- 3+
- 7+
- 12+
- 16+
- 18+
In Australia, IARC applies its own ratings for non-gaming apps.[12]
Samsung Galaxy Store
The ratings are, All Ages, 4+, 12+, 15+ and 18+. The 18+ rating is enforced and the rest are advisory.[citation needed]
Huawei AppGallery
Huawei AppGallery developed own rating system. Ratings are: 3+, 7+, 12+, 15+ and 18+[13]
Amazon Appstore
On the Amazon Appstore, "All Ages" is for all ages. "Guidance Suggested" is for recommendation that parents should give guidance to pre-teens/children. "Mature" is recommended to be suitable for mature audiences. "Adult" is advertisements, graphic violence, nudity or other content only suitable for adult audiences.[14]
Blackberry World
The Blackberry appstore as the following ratings:[15][16]
- G (General) – All ages
- T (Teen) – May not be suitable for children under the age of 13
- M (Mature) – May not be suitable for children under the age of 17
- A (Adult) – Content that is generally recognized as appropriate only for, or that is legally restricted to, persons at least the age of majority in their region.
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media's rating scheme ranges from 2+ to 18+, in one-year increments.