How to approve your child’s App Store purchases on iPhone using Ask to Buy

If your child uses an iPhone, Apple’s Ask to Buy feature lets you control what they download or purchase without taking the device away from them.

Once Ask to Buy is enabled through Family Sharing, your child can request apps, games, or in-app purchases from the App Store. Instead of downloading instantly, a notification is sent to your iPhone asking for approval.

To turn on Ask to Buy using your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap Family. Select your child’s name, then tap “Ask to Buy” and switch on “Require Purchase Approval.” Once enabled, every eligible purchase or download will need your permission.

When your child tries to download something, you’ll receive a notification on your iPhone. Tap the notification to see what they’re requesting. You’ll be able to view details about the app or purchase before deciding what to do.

If you approve the request, you’ll be asked to confirm using your Apple Account, and the app or content will download automatically to your child’s iPhone. If you decline it, nothing will be downloaded and your child will be notified.

If you miss the notification, you can still find the request in the Messages app on your iPhone, where Apple sends a summary of the request.

Ask to Buy is designed to give children more independence while still keeping downloads age-appropriate and under your control. It works for new purchases, in-app purchases, and app downloads, but not for updates or previously downloaded content.

If needed, you can also allow another adult in your Family Sharing group to approve requests, but once something is approved, the purchase can’t be reversed through Ask to Buy.