Pornhub is set to be accessible once more for certain UK users following changes in Apple’s device-based age verification system. UK iPhone users who have completed Apple’s updated age checks will no longer be blocked from accessing the site’s adult content, according to Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo.
Access Restored for Certain UK Users
Earlier this year, Pornhub limited access for most UK users, allowing only those who had previously registered and verified their age to view explicit content. This move came amid concerns about the Online Safety Act (OSA) age verification rules, which Pornhub described as unevenly and unfairly applied across the adult content industry. As a result, the company initially decided to withdraw from the system.
However, Aylo announced that UK users with Apple devices running the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS, who have completed Apple’s device-level age verification, will now regain access to Pornhub. This change follows the introduction of iOS 26.4, which includes the world’s first device-based age verification solution for UK users.
Apple’s Device-Based Age Verification
Apple’s updated system confirms whether a user is over 18 by checking the duration of their Apple account, payment method information, or by scanning official identification documents. Initially, some users faced difficulties proving their age without a credit card or driver’s licence, but Apple has since expanded accepted documents to include passports.
Aylo supports device-level age checks as the most effective way to prevent underage access to explicit content. Alex Kekesi, head of community and brand at Aylo, described Apple’s new system as a “major first step towards a global solution” to better protect children online.
Regulatory and Public Responses
Aylo has been in communication with Ofcom, the UK regulator responsible for enforcing the OSA, about compliance with age verification rules. Ofcom stated it will carefully scrutinise the changes but emphasized that the responsibility to prevent children from accessing pornographic content lies firmly with the sites and apps themselves.
While Ofcom praised Apple’s voluntary measures as a “real win” for child safety online, some users and campaign groups have expressed concerns. The campaign group Big Brother Watch criticized Apple’s approach, arguing that blocking content for those unwilling or unable to verify their age restricts internet freedom for millions of Britons.
Since the introduction of stricter age checks, Pornhub reported a significant drop in UK traffic, with some speculation that users may have turned to VPNs to bypass restrictions. The recent partial restoration of access for certain UK users reflects ongoing adjustments in response to the Online Safety Act and technological developments.