Removing the age restriction on Discord's iOS app

Removing the age restriction on Discord on Apple’s iPhones and iPads (iOS) is a notoriously tricky task because it isn’t actually a "Discord" problem — it’s an Apple policy. To maintain its 17+ rating on the App Store, Discord is required to hide sensitive or age-restricted content by default on iOS devices. Because of this, the toggle to fix it is completely missing from the iPhone app itself. The restriction can only be removed using a different program like a web browser, which can run on a different device than the iPhone or iPad.

If you are seeing a message that a server is blocked or restricted on your iPhone, but you are over 18, you have to bypass the app's interface to change your account-level permissions.

Why the restriction exists in the first place

Apple has strict Sensitive Content guidelines. If an app allows easy access to adult-themed or unmoderated content without a barrier, Apple may pull that app from the store. Discord’s compromise was to hard-code a block into the iOS app. To lift this block, you must signal to Discord through a different platform (Web or Desktop) that you are an adult and explicitly wish to see restricted servers on your mobile device.

Steps to remove the age restriction

To remove the restriction, you must use a mobile browser (Safari/Chrome) or a computer. The iOS app will not show these options.

1. Access Discord via browser: Open Safari on your iPhone and go to discord.com/login. Login with your account credentials. If viewing the mobile web version makes you uncomfortable, tap the AA icon in the Safari search bar and select "Request Desktop Website" to see the full settings menu.
2. Navigate to User Settings: Locate the Gear Icon at the bottom left of the screen (next to your profile picture and username).
3. Within the settings sidebar, click on the Privacy & Safety tab.
4. Enable the iOS Access Toggle: Scroll down until you find the section titled Allow access to age-restricted servers on iOS. Switch this to ON to tell the iOS app to allow to show restricted content.

The Discord "Age-Assurance" Update from 2026

In 2026 Discord has rolled out stricter Teen-by-Default policies. For many users, simply toggling a switch is no longer enough. If your account is flagged or if you are in a region with high safety regulations (like the UK or parts of the EU), you may be prompted to complete Age Assurance. This involves a one-time facial age estimation or a government ID scan to prove you are 18+. Once this is completed, the restriction is lifted across all your devices, including your iPhone.

While there, you might want to adjust Sensitive Media Filters to ensure that Display sensitive media is set to No Filter or Blur according to your preference. If this is set to Block you still won't see images even if the server is unlocked.

Complete the verification in case you are prompted: If a window appears asking you to Verify Age Group, follow the prompts to perform a quick face scan or upload an ID. Under the 2026 Age Assurance system, this is often a prerequisite for the iOS toggle to function.

Refresh the iOS App: Close the Discord app on your iPhone (swipe it up and away) and then reopen it. The restricted servers should now be visible and accessible.

Possible traps

If your birthdate is incorrectly set to under 18, the toggle will be greyed out or missing entirely. In this case, you should visit the Discord Support to submit a request under Appeals, age update, other questions. Provide a photo of yourself holding a government ID and a piece of paper with your username. This can be your Social Security Card, Passport or Drivers License.

Limitations

Even after following these steps, Apple still forces Discord to block a very small subset of servers that are dedicated almost exclusively to highly explicit pornographic content. These App Store Blocked servers cannot be accessed on the iOS app under any circumstances. If you find a server that works on your PC but still won't open on your iPhone after toggling all the settings, it likely falls into this category. For those, you will need to continue using the web browser version of Discord.