If you’ve downloaded apps on your Apple mobile device, there’s a good chance they include in-app purchases, particularly if they are games. What was once uncommon has become standard, with many apps offering opportunities to buy virtual items that exist only within the game. These items can range from gems and extra lives to costumes and ammunition. Developers have found numerous ways to monetize these features.
While many adults can resist the allure of in-app purchases on their new iPhone 16 or iPad Pro (2024), or other Apple device, children often find it much more challenging. With credit cards integrated into the mobile experience — thanks to services like Apple Pay — it's too easy for someone to spend money to progress in a game. Unfortunately, this can lead to unexpected expenses. There have been documented cases of children inadvertently spending thousands of dollars on in-app purchases, which no parent wants to face. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent in-app purchases completely, and we’re here to guide you through how to do it.
How to turn off in-app purchases on your Apple mobile device
Whether you have an iPhone or iPad, the steps to turn off in-app purchasing is the same.
Step 1: Locate and choose Settings while viewing the Home screen.
Step 2: Select Screen Time inside the main Settings menu.
Step 3: Scroll down and choose Content & privacy restrictions.
Step 4: Next, select the Content & privacy restrictions slider so that it becomes green (i.e., so that it’s switched on).
Choose the iTunes & App Store purchases button.
Step 5: Select In-app purchases, then tap Don’t allow.
Once this is complete, neither you nor anyone else will be able to make in-app purchases on your iPhone. Of course, most of us will probably need to make in-app purchases at some point, and you can choose to set a password for those purchases instead of disabling it altogether. To do this, instead of switching in-app purchases to Don’t allow, you’ll go to the Require password subheading and select Always require. As long as you don’t divulge your password to anyone, that should protect your wallet information from unwanted intrusions.
Prevent unauthorized purchases
You can also prevent unauthorized purchases within apps by going to iOS settings > Screen Time > Content & privacy restrictions > Allowed apps.
Step 1: From Allowed apps, turn off the iTunes Store.
Step 2: Doing this will restrict the iTunes Store from your iPad or iPhone. If you want to limit other apps that also offer in-app purchases, you can employ this same protocol.
How to enable Ask to Buy on an iOS device
The Ask to Buy feature helps parents and guardians prevent children from making in-app purchases without consent. If you want to set up Ask to Buy, you’ll need to turn on Family Sharing first. With Family Sharing, you can designate one user to approve app purchases. Anyone other than that user won’t be authorized to make purchases, and if they attempt to, the primary user will be notified. Parents can then review the purchase and sign off on it using their Apple ID.
Step 1: Select Settings while on the Home screen. Choose your name and select Family.
Step 2: Find your child’s name and select it.
Step 3: Choose Ask to buy.
Step 4: Toggle on Require purchase approval.
