UK Xbox Players Must Verify Age to Keep Social Features

Xbox is rolling out age verification for UK-based players to meet new safety rules. Starting now, adult users in the region will see prompts to verify their age. While it’s optional for now, that’s changing soon.

Starting from early next year, unverified users aged 18 and above will lose full access to social features such as voice chat, text messaging, and game invites. They’ll still be able to play and keep their game history and purchases, but chatting will be limited to friends only until the age check is complete.

Verification methods include government-issued ID, mobile number checks, credit card confirmation, or age estimation tools. All options use encrypted channels, and Microsoft says the data won’t be stored or reused for anything else.

For the uninitiated, this move is part of Xbox’s compliance with the UK Online Safety Act. According to Xbox, the one-time process helps ensure players are getting content that fits their age group.

Adults in the UK can start the age verification process by visiting here, on their phone, or desktop. Players verifying via web have to first sign in with their Microsoft account to begin. For more details and support, please visit this link.

Looking ahead, Xbox plans to expand this process globally but says methods may vary by region. It’s also working with regulators and partners to find balanced solutions that protect privacy without disrupting gameplay.

For parents and caregivers, Xbox recommends setting up child or teen accounts or checking out the Xbox Gaming Safety Toolkit. These don’t need verification and offer controls for screen time, spending, and content.