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How to Avoid Unwanted In-App Purchases on iPhone and Android

Block Apple in-app purchases with Screen Time, or use family approval and authentication controls to add safeguards on iPhone and Android.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
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To stop in-app purchases outright on an iPhone, turn on Screen Time and set App Store in-app purchases to Blocked. On Android, use Google Play purchase approvals to require an adult’s approval for eligible purchases, or add purchase authentication for an extra prompt. These controls work differently: blocking prevents purchases, while approvals and authentication add a checkpoint.

Choose the control that fits the risk

Control What it does Best suited to
iPhone Screen Time restriction Blocks Apple in-app purchases on the device. Preventing purchases rather than merely adding a prompt.
Apple Ask to Buy Routes eligible purchase requests from a child in Family Sharing to an adult for approval. Reviewing a child’s eligible requests while allowing approved purchases.
Google Play purchase approvals Requires family approval for purchases made through Google Play billing, with an option to cover only in-app purchases. Reviewing a child’s eligible Google Play purchases.
Store authentication Requires authentication before a purchase; it does not disable purchases. Adding friction to reduce accidental or unauthorized taps.

Block in-app purchases on iPhone

  1. Open Settings > Screen Time. If Screen Time is not enabled, turn it on first.
  2. Go to Apps & Websites > App Store > In-app Purchases.
  3. Choose Blocked.

Apple says this prevents Apple in-app purchases. It is a device restriction, not a request for approval each time. The current steps are in Apple’s Screen Time instructions. Menu names can differ by software version.

Require approval for a child’s purchases

On iPhone: use Ask to Buy

Ask to Buy is for a child in a Family Sharing group who has their own Apple Account. The family organizer or a parent/guardian can enable it on their device: Settings > Family > child’s name > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Ask to Buy > Require Purchase Approval. An adult can then approve or decline eligible requests. Apple notes that availability or default behavior can vary with a child’s age and region. See Apple’s Ask to Buy instructions.

Ask to Buy does not send a request for every action. Apple lists exceptions including a child redownloading their own prior purchase, installing an app update, or using a redemption code.

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On Android: set Google Play purchase approvals

For a Google Play family group, the family manager or a parent can set the approval scope in the Play Store: profile picture > Settings > Family > Manage family members > select the family member > Purchase approvals. Choose the desired scope, including Only in-app purchases.

In Family Link, the route is Controls > Google Play > Require approval for. Available choices can differ slightly depending on which interface you use. Google’s approval controls cover purchases made through Google Play billing; they do not establish a universal approval requirement for every payment method used inside every app. See Google Play’s purchase approval instructions.

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Add an authentication prompt rather than a block

iPhone

Apple offers two password timing choices: Always Require and Require After 15 Minutes. Find them at Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > Password Settings. If Password Settings is not shown, Face ID or Touch ID may be enabled for App Store purchases; Apple describes changing that option under Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Authentication makes a purchase require a prompt, but an authenticated user can still buy. See Apple’s password settings instructions.

Android

Purchase authentication is separate from family approval: it adds a check at purchase time, while family approval routes eligible purchases to an adult. Google also says authentication is required for purchases in apps available in the Kids section, even if the account does not generally require it. That is not a universal lock covering every app or payment flow. See Google’s parent guide to Google Play.

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Which setting should you use?

  • Want no Apple in-app purchases on a device? Use Screen Time’s Blocked setting.
  • Want to review a child’s eligible requests? Use Ask to Buy on Apple devices or Google Play purchase approvals on Android.
  • Want a prompt, but not a full block? Configure purchase authentication. It adds friction; it does not prevent a purchase after successful authentication.
  • Need coverage beyond Google Play billing? Google’s family approval setting is limited to Google Play billing, so do not assume it controls purchases processed through another payment system.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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