Last updated: Jan 22, 2026 · Reading time: ~7 minutes
If Character.AI suddenly thinks you’re under 18 (even when you’re not), you’re not alone. Reddit has multiple threads where adult users say they got restricted anyway and can’t use the app normally.
This is the “no drama, just actions” version: what’s likely happening, what you can do in the next 10 minutes, and how to keep your characters and stories safe even if policies keep shifting.
TL;DR (30-Second Answer)
- Why this happens: Character.AI announced new “age assurance” changes and third-party tooling to route users into the right age experience. Automated systems can create false positives.
- Fastest move: Treat this like an account access issue: capture evidence, check whether it’s account-level, and contact support with a clean summary.
- Smart move: Build a backup home for your characters so one flag doesn’t erase weeks of story progress.
Backup home: Claim 500 SP on Storychat
Use this while you resolve the flag on Character.AI — it keeps your stories moving.
What’s Actually Going On (Simple Explanation)
When a platform rolls out automated “age assurance,” it tries to estimate whether you’re under 18 so it can show the appropriate experience. This can create false positives — meaning adult users get routed into teen restrictions.
That’s why you’ll see posts like “I can’t use Character.AI anymore” and “I got flagged.” Sometimes it’s account-level. Sometimes it’s region-specific. Either way, the fix is usually a support review + patience.
Important: This guide is about fixing a false flag (you’re an adult but got restricted). Don’t try to “game” verification. Focus on clean, support-friendly steps.
Step-by-Step: What to Do If You’re Wrongly Flagged (10-Min Action Plan)
Step 1) Capture proof (don’t rely on memory)
- Take screenshots of the exact restriction message / gate screen.
- Write down: date/time, device (iOS/Android/Web), and whether it started after an update or login.
- If it might be region-specific, note your country/region.
Step 2) Determine if it’s account-level or device-level
- Log out → log in again on the same device.
- Try a second device (or web vs mobile) using the same account.
- Try a second network (Wi-Fi vs LTE) to rule out caching/network oddities.
If it happens everywhere with the same account: it’s account-level (most likely an age-assurance routing issue).
If it only happens on one device/app: it may be app state, cached data, or a bug.
Step 3) Do the low-risk resets first
- Update the app to the latest version (or switch to web temporarily).
- Clear app cache (Android) or reinstall (iOS) if it’s device-only.
- Confirm you’re using the same login method each time (Google/Apple/email).
Step 4) Send a clean support message (copy/paste template)
Subject: Wrongly flagged as under 18 (adult user) — request manual review
Message:
Hi Character.AI Support,
I’m an adult user, but my account appears to be incorrectly flagged as under 18 and I’m being restricted from normal use.
What I see: [brief description of the restriction message]
When it started: [date/time + timezone]
Device: [iOS/Android/Web + browser/app version]
Country/Region: [your country]
I’m requesting a manual review/correction of the age assurance result for my account. I can provide screenshots of the restriction message if needed.
Thanks.
Keep it short. Support teams respond faster to “clear issue → exact time → device → requested action.”
Step 5) While you wait, back up your characters (so you don’t lose your world)
This is the part most people skip… until they lose weeks of progress.
- Copy your character’s core persona into a safe doc: name, voice, boundaries, memory anchors.
- Save 1–2 example chats that show the character’s voice.
- Rebuild the character on a backup platform so you can keep writing while support takes time.
The “False-Flag Stress Test” (2-Min Checklist)
Answer these fast:
- Did it start suddenly without you changing anything?
- Does it happen on both web + mobile?
- Is it tied to one login method (Google/Apple/email)?
- Is it region-specific (friends in other countries are fine, you aren’t)?
- Did it begin right after an update, relogin, or policy change period?
If you answered “yes” to 2+ items, treat it as a systems/age-assurance false positive, not something you personally “did wrong.”
Comparison Table: Which Option Feels Least “Fragile” When Rules Shift?
This table is not “who’s best overall.” It’s specifically: if you’re losing access or getting blocked, which platform helps you keep going?
| Platform | Verification Friction | False-Flag Recovery | Story Continuity | Discovery / Sharing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storychat | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Long-form roleplay + building a stable “home” for characters and stories |
| Character.AI | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Mainstream character chat; higher risk of friction if flagged |
| Janitor AI | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | More flexibility for power users; less feed-first discovery |
Note: Scores reflect the “friction and resilience” angle for someone already experiencing restrictions. Policies and behavior can change over time.
Why “Backup Home” Beats Rage-Quitting (and Feels Better)
Most people do one of two things when they get flagged:
- Option A: Wait and fight (story momentum dies while you wait)
- Option B: Quit instantly (lose characters, lose arcs, lose routine)
The high-leverage move is Option C: keep your story alive while you resolve access issues.
Storychat is built for exactly what frustrated C.AI users usually want next: continuity, control, long definitions, and discovery — so you can build stories that don’t collapse after a policy shift or account friction moment.
Quick Migration Recipe (Only 3 Things You Need)
- Voice: how they speak (tone, pacing, “feel”)
- Boundaries: what they will/won’t do (keeps behavior stable)
- Memory Anchors: 3–5 facts that must never change (relationships, goals, lore)
Paste-ready example (Voice + Rules):
VOICE: Short, vivid sentences. Confident, slightly teasing. One sharp question per reply. No melodrama.
RULES:
– Stay in-character at all times.
– Never write the user’s dialogue or decisions.
– Maintain continuity; if unsure, ask one clarifying question in-character.
– No instant romance. Build trust slowly and realistically.
MEMORY ANCHORS:
– The user is an adult and dislikes being “spoken for.”
– The story tone is grounded and emotionally believable.
– The character respects boundaries and keeps scenes coherent.
Want a zero-stress start? Use this invite link for 500 SP.
Invite code is already set to blog.
FAQ
Should I delete my Character.AI account and start over?
Not as a first step. You’ll lose continuity and won’t know if the new account gets flagged too. Do support + backup first.
How long does it take to get un-flagged?
It varies. That’s why the best move is keeping your stories going elsewhere while you wait.
What’s the safest way to keep my characters stable long-term?
Have a backup home where your persona, voice rules, and memory anchors aren’t dependent on a single platform’s shifting policies.
If You Only Do One Thing Today
Send the clean support message, then build a backup home for your characters so you don’t lose momentum.
