Mobile software content rating system

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: Suitable for all ages / Aimed at young audiences / Exempt / Not rated / No applicable rating.
• Yellow – Advisory: Parental guidance is suggested for designated age range.
• Purple – Strong advisory: Not recommended for a younger audience but not restricted.
• Red – Restricted: Parental accompaniment required for younger audiences.
• Black – Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audience / Restricted to licensed premises / Purchase age-restricted / Banned. Explanations of specific ratings are available in corresponding articles.

Existing systems

App Store (iOS/iPadOS)

Main article: App Store (iOS/iPadOS)#Application ratings

Since iOS 26, Apple's rating system for the App Store has followed the following rubric:

• 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.

Google Play

Up until March 17, 2015 Google Play used the following rubric:

• 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. 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. These ratings include:

• 3+
• 7+
• 12+
• 16+
• 18+

In Australia, IARC applies its own ratings for non-gaming apps.

Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle

The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK) utilises the following age classifications: 0 (no restrictions), 6, 12, 16 and 18. Games rated 12 can be legally purchased from the age of 10.

Samsung Galaxy Store

Main article: Samsung Galaxy Store

The ratings are, All Ages, 4+, 12+, 15+ and 18+. The 18+ rating is enforced and the rest are advisory.

Huawei AppGallery

Huawei AppGallery developed own rating system. Ratings are: 3+, 7+, 12+, 15+ and 18+

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.

Blackberry World

The Blackberry appstore as the following ratings:

• 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.

CTIA Mobile Application Rating System

The CTIA The Wireless Association, an industry trade group, collaborated with the ESRB to largely apply ESRB's rating system to mobile devices. It was launched in 2011, with Apple and Google being notable abstentions from subscribing companies.

Common Sense Media

Main article: Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media's rating scheme ranges from 2+ to 18+, in one-year increments.

References

References

1. "Protecting Children and Young People". [[Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle]].
2. "Age ratings". [[Apple Inc.]].
3. Masna, Aulia. (17 July 2009). "App Store rating system raises questions". [[Macworld]].
4. "Application Content Ratings". Google Inc..
5. "Creating Better User Experiences on Google Play". Android Developers Blog.
6. "About the International Age Rating Coalition". IARC.
7. [https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6209544 Apps & Games content ratings on Google Play]
8. "AppGallery Rating system". [[Huawei Developers]].
9. [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007N85POS/ref=s9_bbs_gw_d5_g405_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=14HZZ1KMYK2H9AXD7Z6P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1741301142&pf_rd_i=507846 Amazon.com: Angry Birds Rio HD (Fire Edition): Appstore for Android] (click "guidance suggested" for information on rating system). [https://archive.org/details/AmazonRatings Archive].
10. [https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/35148893/?lang=en&countrycode=CA Despicable Me: Minion Rush{{snd}} BlackBerry World] (click "Teen" for information on rating system). [https://archive.org/details/blackberryworldratings Archive].
11. "Consideringapple".
12. "CTIA Mobile Application Ratings System with ESRB". ESRB.
13. Chris Velazco. (November 29, 2011). "CTIA And ESRB Debut App Rating System, No Buy-In From Google Or Apple". Techcrunch.