Turning off Ask to Buy on an iPhone can come as a relief to parents, especially those who have kids tirelessly requesting for apps and in-app purchases. What is Ask to Buy? This feature is designed to enable kids under the age of 18 to request their parents’ permission before making purchases from the App Store, iTunes, and Apple Books. It offers parents more control of their children’s buying habits. But sometimes, when the Ask to Buy feature is continuously popping up, it can be a nuisance. In this article, we’ll show you how to turn off Ask to Buy on iPhone, plus other useful methods to make using your iPhone more comfortable.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Turning Off Ask to Buy on iPhone
The process of turning off Ask to Buy on iPhone is relatively simple. The challenge is ensuring that your children don’t make unauthorized purchases without your knowledge. Turning off Ask to Buy feature means your minor kids will now buy apps, music, movies, books, and more from the App Store, Apple Books, and iTunes without your approval. It’s essential to communicate the importance of responsible use of Apple ID and giving children the right allowance to make purchases without fear.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you can turn off Ask to Buy, you must ensure that you have the following:
1. Your iPhone – Ensure it’s the latest iOS version.
2. iCloud account – Ensure it’s up to date and enabled on your iPhone
3. An Apple ID that’s currently associated with iCloud Family Sharing
Method 1: Disabling Ask to Buy
Before proceeding, ensure you’re signed in to your iPhone with the primary Apple ID. Follow steps 1 through 4 to turn off Ask to Buy on iPhone.
1. Head to Settings from your home screen.
2. Tap your Apple ID profile icon or name.
3. Tap Family Sharing, then select Ask to Buy.
4. Toggle the switch to turn off Ask to Buy. If it’s currently turned on, it’ll turn green to indicate it’s on. If toggled off, it’ll be grey.
Pros:
– Easy to achieve
– No authorization required
– Saves time
Cons:
– Children can make purchases without parents’ approval
– It can lead to uncontrolled expenses
Method 2: Via Family Sharing
The family sharing feature is another effective solution to disabling the Ask to Buy feature. This means turning off Ask to Buy centrally for several users.
1. Confirm if Family Sharing is enabled
2. Navigate to iCloud from your iPhone’s settings.
3. Share your Account information with your family group. The family organizer or anyone in your family group can take this step.
4. Tap family members’ names to select the person you want to disable Ask to Buy for. Or select the person’s name from the list.
5. Select and enable the Parent/Guardian and Authorized Purchaser options for users over the age of 18.
Pros:
– Easy to execute.
– Central control for several users.
Cons:
– Potential risks of having a shared iCloud account.
– High costs of fixing wrong purchases.
Method 3: Via Screen Time
Screen Time allows you to limit your or your child’s screen usage, set content filters, productivity trackers, and more. It also functions as a gatekeeper of sorts, allowing you to restrict purchases from the Apple Store.
1. Go to Settings from your iPhone’s home screen.
2. Tap Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions.
3. Select iTunes and App Store Purchases.
4. Toggle off In-App Purchases, then tap Require Password.
5. Select Always Require.
Pros:
– Gives parents more control
– Allows parents to keep track of screen usage
Cons:
– iPhone feature may malfunction, and every function may not work correctly
Why Can’t I Turn Off Ask to Buy on iPhone?
1. iCloud Family Sharing is turned off.
Fix: Turn on iCloud Family Sharing
2. Your child’s account is not part of the Family Sharing plan.
Fix: Add the child’s account to Family Sharing
3. Someone else in your Family Sharing already turned off Ask to Buy.
Fix: Have a discussion with the member who turned off the feature and endeavor for a consensus.
Additional Tips
Always ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest iPhone versions. This gives you access to important features, security fixes, and other important updates. Don’t forget to regularly back up your iPhone, just in case anything goes wrong.
5 FAQs about Turning Off Ask to Buy on iPhone
Q1: Can I enable Ask to Buy for specific types of purchases?
A: No. It’s an all-or-nothing approach. Turning Ask to Buy off affects all purchases and transactions on the device.
Q2: How do I turn off Ask to Buy for one child and keep it on for others?
A: This isn’t achievable. Turning off Ask to Buy for one family member automatically disables it for all others.
Q3: Can I turn off Ask to Buy on my iPad too?
A: Yes. Use any of the three methods explained above to turn off Ask to Buy for your iPad.
Q4: Can I still monitor my child’s purchases after turning Ask to Buy off?
A: Yes. You can use the purchase history feature to keep track of purchases made on your Apple ID, including devices where Ask to Buy is turned off.
Q5: Will this process turn off the purchased sharing option?
A: No. Purchased sharing will still be available after you disable Ask to Buy.
In Conclusion
Disabling Ask to Buy on iPhone is a simple and straightforward process that offers more user control. However, parents or guardians must ensure that kids’ interactions with iPhones are guided and communicated appropriately. Proper communication and responsible management of Apple ID are vital to avoid potential risk such as unauthorized payments and uncontrolled iPhone activity.