How to Restrict In-App Purchases

Apple

Use Family Sharing, Ask to Buy and Screen Time content and privacy restrictions. Require authentication for purchases and verify that the child uses their own Apple Account.

Google Play

Use Family Link purchase approvals for the supervised child. Approval settings apply to purchases made through Google Play billing and may not cover every payment route inside every service.

Additional checks

• Remove saved payment methods that are not needed.
• Protect the parent account with 2FA.
• Review subscriptions separately from one-off purchases.
• Check email receipts and account purchase history.

Test it

Attempt a low-risk download or purchase request and confirm that the approval reaches the correct parent. Do not assume the setting works merely because it is shown as enabled.

Refunds are not a control system

Platform refund policies are limited and case-specific. Prevention through approval, authentication and clear family rules is more reliable than assuming every accidental purchase can be reversed.

Control payment approval at every relevant layer

Platform purchase controls cover transactions processed through that store, but some games, websites and subscriptions may use separate payment routes.

• Require approval or authentication for every purchase on the child account.
• Remove saved payment methods that are not needed.
• Check carrier billing and family payment sharing separately.
• Test a low-risk purchase prompt and confirm the child cannot approve it alone.

Review subscriptions and receipts regularly. Blocking a new purchase does not automatically cancel an existing recurring charge.