Turn Off In-App Purchases. Fortunately, shutting off in-app purchases can be done with any phone. In iOS: Open Settings, then choose “Screen Time.” Enable it if it’s not already enabled. Tap continue, and then choose the option of “This is my iPhone” or “This is my child’s iPhone.”. How I did it: When I set up Family Sharing and the Apple Music account I was doing it from a Mac. It forced me to turn purchase sharing on and use my payment method for all purchases of the whole family and there was no option to turn it off from there. I guess there are fewer options on the iCloud settings on a Mac. If you find that in-app purchases aren't enabled on your iPhone, the most likely problem is that they've been turned off in Screen Time settings. Open Screen Time to enable in-app purchases.
Family purchases and payments - Apple Support. Approving purchases with Ask to Buy. You can turn on Ask to Buy to require approval for purchases initiated by any family member who is under 18 years old. iOS 8. Tap Settings iCloud Family, and tap your family member's name. Turn on Ask to Buy. Choose Apple menu System. Turn off In-App Purchases. When enabled, this feature allows you to purchase additional content or functionality within apps downloaded from the App Store. Require Password. Requires you to enter your Apple ID for in-app purchases after the time period you specify. I just can't think of why the feature does not come back if you turn off.
Here's how to stop littles from spending money in iOS apps and games.
With the number of mobile apps and games directed at young audiences, it’s important to know how to stop little ones from making unauthorized purchases without your consent. After all, many mobile games (including those aimed at children) include optional in-app purchases, and when no physical currency is being exchanged, kids can quickly rack up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in purchases without knowing what they’re doing until it’s too late.
Check out the video guide below to see how you can prevent kids from making in-app purchases on an iOS device, like an iPhone or iPad. Or keep reading to see a step-by-step breakdown of the process with images.
Step-By-Step Guide
Open the device’s Settings app (its icon is a gray gear).
Tap “Screen Time,' and then “Turn on Screen Time.”
Tap “Continue,' and then “This is My Child’s [device name].”
Tap “Not Now” on the windows that appear to skip the initial setup process (you can activate these limits later).
Tap “Continue.”
Create a four-digit passcode that only you and other responsible adults will know. Don’t tell your kids this passcode.
Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions,” and then enter your passcode.
Tap the toggle next to “Content & Privacy Restrictions” to gain access to this menu of options, and then tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”
Tap “In-app Purchases,” and then tap “Don’t Allow.”
You can also block in-app purchases on your own device, in case your children ever use it. In this case, you’ll follow the steps above, but the Screen Time menu won’t ask you to create a passcode.
Finally, if you want to allow your kids to make in-app purchases, but only after asking you first, The New York Times pointed out that you can turn on an “Ask to Buy” feature through Apple’s Family Sharing system. Follow the instructions on Apple’s website to set up this feature on an iOS device or a Mac.
To learn more about Screen Time on iOS, check out our guide.
If you don't wish to be billed for purchases initiated by a specific adult family member, you can remove that family member from the family group.
*Ages may vary by country or region.
Family Sharing requires a personal Apple ID signed in to iCloud and iTunes. Music, movies, TV shows, and books can be downloaded on up to 10 devices per account, five of which can be computers. iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite are required to set up or join a Family Sharing group and are recommended for full functionality. Not all content is eligible for Family Sharing. Content can be hidden by family members; hidden content is not available for download. Content downloaded from family members or acquired via redemption codes is not subject to Ask to Buy.
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