Starting in early 2026, Xbox users in the UK will need to verify their age to use all social features, like chatting, joining groups, and sharing content. This change is because of a new UK law called the Online Safety Act, which aims to keep people safe online.
Right now, Xbox is asking users who say they are 18 or older to verify their age. It’s optional for now, but it will be required by early 2026. If you don’t verify your age, you’ll only be able to chat or play with friends on Xbox. Features like finding new groups, joining custom clubs, streaming on Twitch, or using Discord won’t work until you verify.
To verify your age, you can use:
- A photo of an ID, like a passport or driver’s license
- A mobile phone number
- A credit card
- A live photo through a service called Yoti
This won’t affect buying or playing games, your achievements, or past purchases. Microsoft says this is a one-time process to keep the Xbox community safe. They also plan to bring age verification to other countries later, but it might work differently in each place.
You can start verifying your age now using a mobile device or by visiting Xbox’s website to avoid losing access to social features in 2026.
