United States players of Genshin Impact are approaching a critical regulatory milestone. Following the legal settlement between HoYoverse and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the mandatory age verification process is entering its final phase. Accounts that have remained unverified since the initial rollout in 2025 now face the imminent risk of permanent data erasure.

Understanding the mechanics of this system is no longer optional for those wishing to preserve their progress, characters, and financial investments in Teyvat. The deadline for full compliance is fast approaching in July 2026, making it essential to verify account status immediately.

The legal mandate behind age verification

The requirement for age verification in Genshin Impact stems from a comprehensive agreement to resolve allegations concerning the collection of data from minors without sufficient parental oversight. This settlement, valued at approximately $20 million, mandated that HoYoverse implement stricter age-gating and transparency measures specifically for its user base in the United States.

At the core of this change is COPPA, a federal law designed to protect the privacy of children under the age of 13. By requiring players to provide their birth month and year, HoYoverse ensures it can distinguish between adult players, teenagers, and children, applying the necessary legal protections to each group. While this process primarily affects players residing in the U.S., its implications for account security and longevity are universal for anyone using U.S.-based accounts.

Understanding the July 2026 permanent deletion deadline

There has been some confusion regarding the two-step enforcement timeline established by HoYoverse. It is vital to distinguish between account suspension and permanent deletion:

  1. Phase One (Suspension): This phase was completed in mid-2025. Accounts that failed to provide age information by July 18, 2025, were placed in a suspended state. These players lost access to the game, their friends lists were hidden, and chat records were effectively locked. However, the data remained on the servers.
  2. Phase Two (Permanent Deletion): We are currently approaching the final cutoff on July 20, 2026. If an account has not completed the age verification process by this date, HoYoverse is legally required to delete all personal information associated with the account. This includes character levels, purchased Primogems, Genesis Crystals, and all event-exclusive items. Once this deletion occurs, the data is unrecoverable.

For returning players who have been away from the game for a year or more, checking the verification status is the first priority to avoid losing a long-term investment.

Step-by-step verification instructions for all platforms

The verification process varies slightly depending on whether you play on a computer, a mobile device, or a gaming console. The system is designed to trigger automatically, but players can also manually check their status.

For PC and mobile players

Most players will encounter the age gate upon launching the game or logging into the HoYoverse account portal.

  • Automatic Prompt: Upon launching the client, a pop-up window will appear asking for your date of birth. It is important to enter this accurately, as the system may not allow for subsequent changes without contacting customer support with legal identification.
  • Manual Check: Log into the official HoYoverse account management website. Navigate to the "Account Info" or "Personal Details" section. If the age field is empty or unverified, the system will prompt you to complete the information.
  • Confirmation: After submitting your birth month and year, ensure you receive a confirmation message. It is a good practice to take a screenshot of this confirmation for your records.

For PlayStation (PS4/PS5) and Xbox players

Console players often use accounts linked to their PlayStation Network (PSN) or Xbox Live profiles. While these platforms have their own parental controls, HoYoverse requires separate verification within the game environment to comply with the specific terms of the FTC settlement.

  • In-Game Popup: When starting the game on your console, a mandatory prompt will appear before reaching the main door/loading screen. Use your controller to select the correct month and year.
  • Terms of Service Update: After entering your age, you will likely be asked to agree to a revised Privacy Policy. This version includes specific clauses regarding U.S. data handling and parental consent.
  • Linking Considerations: If your console account is linked to a HoYoverse ID for cross-save purposes, verifying on one platform typically updates the status across all platforms, but checking the account portal on a web browser remains the most reliable way to confirm.

Rules for younger players and parental consent

The age verification system categorizes players into three distinct groups, each with different levels of access and requirements:

Players aged 16 and older

Once verified as being 16 or older, players have full access to all game features, including the standard in-game shop, social features, and data collection settings.

Players aged 13 to 15

Players in this bracket can continue to enjoy the game's core content, but they face restrictions on financial transactions. To make in-game purchases, such as buying the Blessing of the Welkin Moon or Gnostic Hymn, a parent or guardian must provide explicit consent through the HoYoverse Parental Control Portal.

Players under 13

This group is subject to the strictest protections. HoYoverse requires a parent to verify their own identity (often through a small credit card transaction or ID verification via a third-party service) to grant the child permission to play. Without this consent, the account remains inaccessible, and data collection is strictly limited.

The new Parental Control Portal

As part of the transparency enhancements, HoYoverse introduced a dedicated portal for parents and guardians. This tool allows for the management of a younger player’s experience without needing to log into the game directly. Parents can:

  • Enable or disable in-game purchases.
  • Monitor the time spent in the game.
  • Control access to social features like the HoYoLAB community and in-game chat.

Accessing this portal requires the parent to link their email to the child's account. If you are a parent trying to recover a child's account before the July 2026 deadline, the Parental Control Portal is the primary mechanism for doing so.

Impact on gacha transparency and purchasing wishes

An interesting side effect of the age verification mandate and the FTC settlement is the change in how Genshin Impact displays its economy to U.S. players. The game now provides much more explicit information regarding the costs of its "gacha" system.

Direct purchase of Intertwined Fates

In the past, players were required to purchase Genesis Crystals and then convert them into Primogems or Intertwined Fates. While this system still exists, U.S. players can now see the direct real-money cost of wishes on the shop screen.

  • A single Intertwined Fate is typically priced at $2.59.
  • A 10-pull bundle is priced at $21.99.

Cost range estimates

Perhaps the most significant change is the disclosure on the event banners. For the first time, the game explicitly states the potential cost of obtaining a featured 5-star character or weapon. For example, a banner might show a range of $1.98 to $475.20 for a character. This range accounts for the "pity" system, where a player might get lucky on their first pull or might have to go all the way to 180 pulls (the absolute guarantee for a featured character).

This level of transparency is intended to help players, especially younger ones and their parents, make more informed decisions about the real-world value of in-game items.

What to do if you encounter issues

Not every verification attempt goes smoothly. Here are some common scenarios and suggested actions:

Verification not appearing for non-U.S. players

If you do not live in the United States but are seeing these prompts, it may be because your account was originally registered in the U.S. region or you are playing on the America server while using a U.S.-based payment method. If this is an error, you should contact HoYoverse support to clarify your residency, though providing the age info is generally a safe way to clear the prompt regardless of location.

Entered the wrong birth date

If you accidentally entered a birth year that classifies you as a minor when you are an adult, you will find your account restricted. Correcting this typically requires a support ticket. You should prepare a digital copy of a government-issued ID to prove your actual age. HoYoverse has stated they handle this data in accordance with strict privacy standards, often using it only for the one-time verification before discarding it or anonymizing it.

Lost access to the registered email

Since the verification and parental consent processes rely heavily on email communication, losing access to your linked email is a major hurdle. You must use the account recovery process, which involves providing details like the date of account creation, the devices used to play, and records of your first purchases. Completing this before the July deadline is critical, as once the account is deleted, the "identity" of the player is also erased from the system.

Preparing for the future of HoYoverse titles

While the current focus is on Genshin Impact due to the specific legal challenges it faced, it is highly likely that these systems will become standard for all HoYoverse games in the United States. Titles like Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero may eventually implement similar age gates and price transparency features to ensure they remain in compliance with evolving digital privacy laws.

Players are encouraged to maintain a single, verified HoYoverse ID to simplify these transitions across different games. By completing the verification now, you not only save your Genshin Impact progress but also ensure that your overall HoYoverse profile is in good standing for future releases.

Summary of key actions

To ensure your journey in Teyvat continues past the summer of 2026, follow these final recommendations:

  • Check your status today: Do not wait for the July 20, 2026 deadline. Log in now and see if you are prompted for information.
  • Coordinate with parents: If you are a minor, talk to your parents about the consent portal so that your account is not suspended during critical event periods.
  • Review your spending: Take advantage of the new price transparency features to manage your budget, keeping in mind the direct costs now displayed in the shop.
  • Update security info: Ensure your recovery email and phone number are current. This is your only lifeline if the verification system flags your account.

HoYoverse’s commitment to transparency and compliance represents a significant shift in the mobile gaming landscape. While the age verification process may feel like an extra hurdle, it is a necessary step to ensure the game remains available and legally compliant in the U.S. market for years to come.