The Online Safety Act and AI girlfriend apps
The Online Safety Act is why UK users now meet age checks. Ofcom says that "from 25 July 2025, services in scope of the Online Safety Act and which allow pornography, must implement highly effective age assurance to stop under-18s encountering that content" (Ofcom). A button saying you are 18 no longer counts.
AI apps are covered by name. In an open letter on generative AI and chatbots, Ofcom said "sites and apps that include Generative AI tools that can generate pornographic material are also regulated under the Act," and must use highly effective age assurance (Ofcom). Apps where users build and share characters can also count as user-to-user services, which carry further duties.
Ofcom has already enforced this against an AI companion site. It opened an investigation into Novi Ltd over Joi.com in January 2026 and closed it on July 31, 2026, noting that "during our investigation, Novi Ltd implemented age assurance measures on Joi.com" (Ofcom). In the wider adult sector it fined 8579 LLC £1.35 million in February 2026 for having no age checks (Ofcom).
For adults, none of this makes AI girlfriend apps illegal. It means you verify once, usually with a selfie estimate or an ID check, before explicit content unlocks. Our guide to AI girlfriend laws by country compares the UK with other countries.
How each app checks your age in the UK
Every 18+ app now handles UK visitors differently. This is what each one publishes, from the research files behind our reviews, checked September 29, 2026:
UK age checks by AI girlfriend app
| App |
What UK users must do |
Provider |
| Candy AI |
Age estimation or ID check where your location requires it |
Third party, not named |
| OurDream |
Face estimate, selfie with liveness, ID or credit card |
Go.cam or AgeVerif |
| Selira AI |
Selfie estimate, ID as fallback, for NSFW media |
Didit |
| TryNectar AI |
Verify before NSFW mode |
Go.cam |
| DreamGF |
Verification for some features since July 25, 2025 |
Not stated |
| GoLove AI |
Age check before adult content |
Go.cam |
| Swipey AI |
Selfie estimate, ID if needed |
Ondato |
| ChatRoger |
Verify to enter the adult side, or use it without adult content |
Yoti |
| Joi AI |
UK notice says access is paused until checks are live; Ofcom says checks are now in place |
VerifyMyAge |
| Nomi AI, Replika |
App Store apps rated 18+; no adult pictures |
Apple |
Most providers pass the app only a result: OurDream, Selira AI and TryNectar AI all say they never receive your photo or ID. Secrets AI takes a different line: its terms say the site is meant for use outside places where its content is subject to age-verification measures, so read them before paying from the UK. Our guide to AI girlfriend age verification explains each method.
Prices in pounds
Most web apps bill in US dollars, so the pound price depends on the exchange rate on the day and your card may add a foreign-transaction fee. Two exceptions: SweetDream AI shows UK visitors its prices in pounds, and the App Store charges in pounds for Nomi AI and Replika.
Nomi AI and Replika on the United Kingdom App Store, checked September 29, 2026
| App and item |
Price shown |
What it is |
| Nomi AI: Standard Plan |
£14.99 |
Monthly subscription |
| Nomi AI: Standard Plan Yearly |
£99.99 |
Yearly subscription |
| Nomi AI: Launch Plan Monthly |
£9.99 |
Cheaper monthly plan listed in the store |
| Replika: MONTHLY |
£7.99 |
Cheapest monthly item listed |
| Replika: YEARLY |
£48.99 |
Cheapest yearly item listed |
Compare the two routes for Nomi AI: $15.99 a month on the web in US dollars against £14.99 through Apple. Nomi's own wiki notes that web billing in US dollars can work out cheaper depending on exchange rates. Candy AI's terms add that local taxes may apply: UK VAT is 20%, and sellers based outside the UK that supply digital services to UK consumers must register for it (GOV.UK). For every app's dollar price, see how much an AI girlfriend costs.
Paying from the UK
UK users have more payment options than most. In the App Store, Apple accepts Apple Pay, most cards, PayPal and mobile phone billing through Three, EE, O2 and Vodafone (Apple Support). On the web:
- PayPal: GoLove AI and Kupid AI take it, and Replika accepts it on its website.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay: Candy AI, Secrets AI, Selira AI, Joi AI, GoLove AI and LusyChat.
- Bank transfer: Candy AI, through Volt.
- Crypto: Candy AI, OurDream, Lovescape, Swipey AI and several others.
Many bill under neutral names, such as EverAI for Candy AI and Miracle AI for My Dream Companion. Our pages on AI girlfriend apps that take PayPal and discreet billing have the full lists.
If an app blocks you or asks for ID
Being asked to verify is now normal in the UK, not a sign that something is wrong. A few practical points:
- Try the selfie option first. Face age estimation, offered by Go.cam, Didit and Ondato, usually avoids uploading an ID document.
- Know what a fail means. Selira AI says a failed check permanently restricts the account, so use good lighting and follow the prompts.
- Do not use a VPN to dodge the check. Apps look at your location to decide who must verify, and hiding it can break their terms and get the account closed with no refund.
- Use the SFW route if you prefer. ChatRoger lets UK users continue without adult content, and Replika is SFW by design.
If a checkout or check fails repeatedly, contact the app's support before paying again.
Which AI girlfriend app to use in the UK
- Best overall: Candy AI. Read our Candy AI review.
- Clearest UK checks: OurDream or TryNectar AI, both with Go.cam.
- Pay in pounds through Apple: Nomi AI.
- A London company with prices in pounds: SweetDream AI.
- Pay with PayPal: GoLove AI.
- No age check at all: Replika, which keeps chat SFW.
To compare free plans before verifying anywhere, see the best free AI girlfriend apps.
Frequently asked questions
Are AI girlfriend apps legal in the UK?
Yes, for adults. Under the Online Safety Act, services that show pornographic content must use highly effective age checks on UK users, which is why apps such as OurDream, TryNectar AI and Swipey AI now ask UK users to verify before adult content unlocks.
Why does an AI girlfriend app ask for ID in the UK?
Because UK law requires services with pornographic content to check age with methods Ofcom treats as highly effective, such as face estimation, ID checks or credit card checks. Many apps offer a selfie estimate first, and the provider usually passes only a pass or fail to the app.
Can I use an AI girlfriend app in the UK without ID?
Often, yes. Face age estimation through providers such as Go.cam, Didit or Ondato can verify you without an ID document, and SFW apps such as Replika need no check beyond your App Store account.
How much does an AI girlfriend cost in pounds?
Nomi AI costs £14.99 a month or £99.99 a year in the UK App Store, and Replika's in-app prices start at £7.99. Most web apps bill in US dollars; Candy AI, for example, is $3.99 a month on a yearly plan, converted by your bank.
Can I pay for an AI girlfriend with PayPal in the UK?
Yes. GoLove AI and Kupid AI take PayPal on their websites, Replika accepts it on the web, and the App Store accepts PayPal for Nomi AI and Replika in-app purchases.
Is Joi AI available in the UK?
Check before paying. Joi AI still publishes a page telling UK visitors that access is unavailable until its age-verification system is live, but Ofcom says Joi's operator, Novi Ltd, implemented age assurance on Joi.com during an investigation that closed on July 31, 2026. Where it is open to UK users, expect a VerifyMyAge check.
