Approve what your kids buy and download (Ask to Buy and Google Play)

▶ Pick your device and tap to watch:

Macabout 1 miniPhoneabout 1 minAndroidabout 1 min

Make your child ask you first before buying or downloading apps and in-app items.

⏱ About 10 minutes · 3 steps · ▶ 3 videos
What you'll need
  • A family group (Apple Family Sharing or Google Family Link)
  • Your child's own account
  • About 10 minutes

  1. iPhone, iPad and Mac: turn on Ask to Buy

    📱 iPhone / iPad: On your iPhone, open Settings > Family, tap your child's name, tap Apps & Websites > Restrictions, then Ask to Buy and turn on Require Purchase Approval. On a Mac, use System Settings > Family.

    🤖 Android: Open Family Link, pick your child, go to Controls > Google Play, then Purchase & download approvals. Choose All content, Only paid content or Only in-app purchases.

  2. Approve or decline requests

    Apple: you get a message on your device. Tap it to see the item, then approve or decline. Missed one? Look in Messages. Google: requests show up as notifications in Family Link, so keep its notifications on.

  3. Check the details

    Your child needs their own account in your family group. Don't let them share yours. Google Play approvals only cover purchases made through Google Play's billing system.

    💡 Tip: In some places, Apple turns on Ask to Buy automatically for children under 18 and it can't be turned off.
🎉 All done!

Also see Set up parental controls on your child's phone. Menu names change as apps update. These steps were checked against official help pages in October 2026.

Related game: Safe or Risky?. Related explainer: Payment app scams: Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal .

Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.