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: Suitable for all ages / 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: Parental supervision required for younger audiences. Black – Prohibitive: Exclusively for older audiences / Restricted to licensed apps or regions / Banned.
Country/SystemAge ratingOther 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Apple App Store — 4+ 4+ 4+ — 13+16+18+ 4+ 9+ (ACB) G M R 18+ MA 15+ (ClassInd) L 6 10 12 14 16 18 — Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) E10+ T M E (USK) USK 0 USK 6 USK 12 USK 16 (IGRS) — 3+ 7+ 13+ 15+ 18+ Refused classification International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) — 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+ — Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) — 3 7 12 16 18 (Gmedia/GAMR) — 3 7 12 16 18 21 (GRAC) ALL 12 15 19 Refused classification (GSRR) 0+ 6+ 12+ 15+ 18+ — Samsung Galaxy Store All 4+ 12+ 16+ 18+ Banned Huawei AppGallery — 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 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:
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 18+ are restricted in Australia, Brazil, Singapore, and United Kingdom.
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.
Samsung Galaxy Store
The ratings are, All Ages, 4+, 12+, 16+ and 18+. The 18+ rating is enforced and the rest are advisory.
Huawei AppGallery Huawei AppGallery developed its own rating system. The ratings are: 3+, 7+ (or 8+ in China), 12+, 16+ and 18+. The AppGallery also self-assigns the content ratings of apps (indicated by the letter "A" preceding the ratings) using the ClassInd rating system for the Brazilian market.
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 and adult audiences. "Adult" is advertisements, graphic violence, nudity or other content only suitable for adult audiences.Amazon.com: Angry Birds Rio HD (Fire Edition): Appstore for Android (click "guidance suggested" for information on rating system). Archive.
Blackberry World The Blackberry appstore has the following ratings:Despicable Me: Minion Rush BlackBerry World (click "Teen" for information on rating system). Archive.
G (General) All ages, no bad content 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, contains inappropriate content 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.
ONE store ONE store uses the ONE store Rating Classification for non-game applications distributed in South Korea. The system comprises five age categories: 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, and 19+. Games are classified separately in accordance with the national game rating system.
3+: Suitable for all ages. Limited comic or fantasy violence may be present, but profanity is not permitted. 7+: May include mildly frightening scenes or sounds, as well as implied or unrealistic mild violence. 12+: May contain non-graphic violence, mild language, non-explicit nudity, and simulated gambling. Sexual profanity is not permitted. 16+: May include realistic violence, sexual activity, strong language, references to tobacco and drug use, and depictions of criminal activity. 19+: May contain graphic violence, sexual violence, explicit sexual content, discriminatory material, and depictions that glorify illegal drug use.
RuStore
RuStore uses a five-tier age rating system for applications distributed through its platform, comprising 0+, 6+, 12+, 16+, and 18+. Developers assign an age rating during the publication process based on the application's content.
0+: Suitable for all audiences. Does not contain violence or objectionable content, although applications with this rating are not necessarily intended for children. 6+: May contain limited violence or mildly frightening scenes. Not recommended for children under six years of age. 12+: May include moderate violence, frightening scenes, or objectionable content. Not recommended for children under twelve years of age. 16+: May contain violence or sexual content. Not recommended for children under sixteen years of age. 18+: May include strong violence, sexual content, or references to drugs or alcohol. Intended for adults only.
See also Internet Content Rating Association Motion picture content rating system Television content rating system Video game content rating system
References
External links on controlling what types of apps can be downloaded ESRB ratings