Do I really need to verify my age to download apps in Texas?

Don’t submit somebody else’s ID or payment details as if they were yours. That could create account problems, and it isn’t a safe workaround. Check Apple’s current verification options or contact its support team to confirm what documents it accepts. If you can’t provide one of those options, ask what alternatives are available for your situation.

This sounds like a requirement tied to Texas law rather than a fault with the phone itself. If the verification prompt is mandatory for your account, there may not be a setting that bypasses it. You can ask Apple support to clarify the requirement, and contact your state representatives if you object to the policy.

Before assuming every Texas account gets the same prompt, check that your Apple Account’s region and birth date are correct, then restart the setup or try again later. Someone else’s experience may differ because of account details or timing, so it doesn’t prove the prompt is a glitch. Don’t change your details to get around verification.

If you’re under 18, ask a parent or guardian about the proper family or account setup rather than entering their identity as yours. If you’re an adult without the requested documents, ask Apple support whether another accepted method exists. The phone isn’t necessarily unusable, but app downloads may stay restricted until the account requirement is resolved.