Pornhub Access Update for UK Users
Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, has announced it will restore access to the site for certain users in the United Kingdom. Earlier in February, the company restricted access for most UK users, allowing only those who had previously registered and verified their age on Pornhub to continue using the site.
Aylo stated that the age verification requirements under the Online Safety Act (OSA) had not been applied consistently or fairly across the adult content industry. Consequently, the company decided to withdraw from what it described as a flawed system.
However, on Tuesday, Pornhub's owners revealed that Apple users who have installed the latest version of iOS, Apple's mobile operating system, will regain access to the site. This change is due to the introduction of device-level age verification checks in the newest iOS update for UK iPhone users.
Aylo has long advocated for device-based age verification methods, such as those implemented by Apple, as the most effective means to prevent minors from accessing explicit content.
"With the release of iOS 26.4 Apple has introduced the world's first ever device-based age verification solution for its users in the UK, a major first step towards a global solution that stands to better protect children everywhere," said Alex Kekesi, head of community and brand at Aylo.
"As a result, today Aylo welcomes eligible age-confirmed UK iOS users back to Pornhub."
This partial reversal highlights the ongoing impact of the OSA on Pornhub's operations. In October 2025, the company reported that traffic from UK users had dropped by more than 75% following the implementation of stricter age verification measures, although some observers suggested that users might have been circumventing restrictions by using virtual private networks (VPNs).
Four months later, Aylo effectively blocked new UK users from accessing the site. Since then, UK visitors attempting to access Pornhub have encountered "not safe for work" content warnings instead of explicit videos.
Apple's UK Age Verification Measures
Apple introduced the updated operating system in March. Since then, UK iPhone users have been prompted to complete Apple's age verification process.
The system confirms whether a user is over 18 by assessing the duration of their Apple account, examining information from linked payment methods, or scanning official identification documents.
These voluntary measures have been praised by the UK regulator Ofcom as a significant advancement in enhancing child safety online.
However, some users initially reported difficulties proving their age through the system without a credit card or driver's licence. In response, Apple updated its support documentation to include passports as an accepted form of ID for UK verification.
Despite these improvements, the campaign group Big Brother Watch has criticized Apple's measures, describing them as a "chokehold on Britons' freedom to search the internet."
Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, stated in March that by blocking sites, content, or app downloads for those unable or unwilling to verify their age, Apple was effectively leaving millions of UK users with a "child's device."
for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? here.
