Throughout this page, references to "under 13" mean under 13 years old or the applicable minimum age in the user's region. Regional laws such as the EU's GDPR may set different thresholds. You are responsible for knowing and complying with the laws that apply to your users.

Age group self-certification

To serve users effectively, you must provide accurate information about your apps on the Meta Horizon platform. In addition to completing the IARC content ratings questionnaire, you must identify the intended age group for each app through age group self-certification. This is mandatory for all apps.

Supported devices

Age group self-certification is required for apps on Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and future Meta Quest devices.

The original Meta Quest and Meta Quest Pro are not approved for users under 13, so apps on those devices don’t require self-certification. You can use device targeting to upload separate builds for different device types.

Determining your app’s age group

To determine the right age group, review the FTC Guidelines⁠ and consider your app’s:

Visual content and character choices

Child-oriented activities or incentives

Music and audio content

Language

Use of child models, child celebrities, or celebrities who appeal to children

You may also use empirical evidence about your app’s audience composition. Don’t rely solely on your app’s IARC rating to determine its age group.

When self-certification is required

New apps and updates: You must select your app’s age group when submitting to Meta Quest channels (Meta Horizon Store and other release channels).

Existing live apps: You must also self-certify to remain on the platform. Meta will notify you of applicable deadlines.

Age group changes: Update your self-certification whenever your app’s age group changes.

You must provide accurate information and keep it current. See Updating age group self-certification for details.

As stated in Meta’s Content Guidelines, apps on the Meta Horizon platform cannot permit use by children under the age of 10. You are required to prevent users under 10 from using your apps.

How to complete age group self-certification

You’ll be prompted in the Developer Dashboard to select your app’s age group from the following options:

Teens and Adults (13+): For apps intended for users 13 years old or older.

Mixed Ages: For apps intended for both children under 13 (ages 10–12) and teen/adult users (13+).

Children (under 13): For apps intended primarily for children ages 10–12. User data from these apps may not be shared with Meta.

Additional requirements may apply

Your app may be subject to additional requirements depending on the age group you select. See Age group specific guidelines and review the FTC COPPA FAQ⁠ for details.

You can complete self-certification through:

The Developer Dashboard

The Meta Quest Developer Hub (MQDH)

The Oculus Platform Utility command line tool

How to self-certify your app’s age group using the Developer Dashboard

Open your browser and navigate to the Meta Horizon Developer Dashboard⁠.

In the left-side navigation, click My Apps, and then click the applicable app.

In the App Product Detail Page section, click the link for the app’s Production Build.

In the Age Group Self-Certification notice that opens, choose the appropriate age group intended for the app.

When finished, click Confirm age group.

How to self-certify your app’s age group using the Meta Quest Developer Hub

During the build upload process in MQDH:

Open the MQDH app on your computer.

From the left-side navigation, click App Distribution.

From the My Org tab, click the app that you want to self-certify.

From Actions click Upload.

In the Upload Build modal, choose your app’s Age Group from the dropdown list.

Finish uploading your build.

For additional information on using the MQDH, see the documentation (Unity, Native, Unreal).

How to self-certify your app’s age group using the Oculus Platform Utility

You can self-certify using the following commands:

upload-quest-build

set-release-channel-build

Both commands accept the age-group option. Specify one of the following values:

TEENS_AND_ADULTS

MIXED_AGES

CHILDREN

For details, see the Oculus Platform Utility Reference.

Accuracy and enforcement

Meta reserves the right to review the information you provide and determine whether your certified age group is accurate. Misrepresentation may result in rejection, suspension, or removal of your app from Meta Quest channels.

All Meta Quest apps must complete self-certification and comply with Meta Quest Policies. Failure to certify after being prompted may result in enforcement action, including:

Blocked updates

Removal from the Store

Loss of access to certain platform features

Updating age group self-certification

You can update your self-certification through the Developer Dashboard at any time using the process described above. If you change your app’s age group:

Inform your users of the change

Update accompanying metadata and marketing materials to reflect the new age group

Age group specific guidelines

Meta has specific requirements for apps depending on the selected age group. The table below summarizes which requirements apply:

Requirement	Teens and Adults (13+)	Mixed Ages	Children (under 13)
Implement Get Age Category API	Not required	Required	Not required
No ads	Required	Required	Required
No children under 10	Required	Required	Required
Comply with policies and applicable laws	Required	Required	Required

Key rule: If your app is Mixed Ages, you must implement the Get Age Category API. If your app is Teens and Adults or Children, you don’t need to implement it. Regardless of age group, all apps must disclose social features, prohibit ads, prevent use by children under 10, and comply with all applicable laws.

Implement the Meta Platform SDK into your app

The Meta Platform SDK enables features like matchmaking, downloadable content (DLC), in-app purchases (IAP), cloud storage, voice chat, custom items, achievements, and more.

SDK availability by age group:

Children (under 13): You cannot implement the Get Age Category API or use any Platform SDK features.

Mixed Ages: You must implement the Get Age Category API. You may use any Platform SDK features.

Teens and Adults (13+): You don’t need to implement the Get Age Category API. You may use any Platform SDK features.

Implement the Get Age Category API for mixed ages apps

If you have a mixed ages app and want to use Platform SDK features, you must implement the Get Age Category API (Unity, Unreal, Native, Spatial SDK) to receive age group information based on the user’s Meta account.

Implementation deadlines:

Within 30 days of self-certification: Implement the API, or risk removal from the Store or applicable release channels.

After 60 days without implementation: The app will lose access to certain Platform SDK features.

When testing your Get Age Category API integration, test both locally and in production.

Important note for Unity apps

If your app uses Unity, the Get Age Category API is available in the Legacy Oculus Integration SDK and the Meta XR Core SDK. If you have questions or concerns about using the Get Age Category API, contact us⁠.

No ads

All apps on the Meta Horizon platform must comply with Meta’s app policies, including the ads policy.

No children under 10

Users under the age of 10 are not permitted on the Meta Horizon platform. You must prevent them from accessing your Meta Quest app. As stated in Meta’s Content Guidelines and app policies, apps solely for users under 10 are not allowed.

Comply with Meta Horizon policies and all applicable laws

All developers must comply with Meta’s developer policies. You are responsible for compliance with applicable laws, including:

U.S. Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA)⁠

E.U. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

You are responsible for any user data collected by your apps. Ensure that your apps — including any third-party APIs or SDKs they use — comply with all applicable laws and regulations.