Can you opt out of Apple's facial age scan?

You cannot opt out and retain full access. If you decline the facial scan, you can still use your device but lose the ability to download 18+ apps, change certain Screen Time and parental control settings, or complete other age-gated actions. You can use alternative verification methods — a credit card on file or a government-issued ID scan — instead of the facial scan, but there is no path that bypasses all age verification while preserving 18+ access. Apple's gate is at the OS level, meaning there is no alternative app store or side-loading pathway on iOS that bypasses it.