How do I turn off in-app purchases for iPhone, iPad, and Android? – Pocket-lint

This page was translated using AI and machine learning.

(Pocket-lint) – Since the dawn of free or “freemium” games – especially those with subscription – the management of in-app purchases is a necessity for parents. Without the controls in place, this can often lead to parents being charged hundreds or even thousands of pounds (or dollars) because their child has become a little too engrossed in a game and eager to progress.

Much of it boils down to some games that limit functionality or hamper the experience in some way or another when not paid for. Most of the time, progressing through games can feel slow and arduous without making payments to buy in-app currency, gems, or whatever the games offer for real money.

And because parents are much more willing to download free games than paid games, those in-app purchases (often quite sneakily included) can end in big credit card bills. So if you’re a parent and want to make sure your kid can’t subscribe or buy anything in their favorite games with your money, this simple guide will help you narrow them down.

How to turn off in-app purchases on iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad

Since launching Screen Time built into iOS, Apple has consolidated restriction controls into one place in the main Settings app. Open Settings and find Screen Time.

Here you’ll find a group of four controls that include the Downtime feature, app limits, an option to choose which apps can run as much as they want, and then a restrictions option.

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, now turn on the switch at the top of the screen, then select “iTunes & App Store Purchases”. Finally, you will be at the screen you want to be on.

This is where you’ll find the restrictions on installing and removing apps, but – more importantly for this guide – in-app purchases. Tap “In-App Purchases,” then select “Do Not Allow,” and no one will be able to purchase in-app packages or subscriptions anymore.

To add an extra level of security, in the iTunes and App Store purchases screen, you can also select the option to always require your password to make new purchases. If your child doesn’t know your Apple ID password, your credit card is safe.

Pocket-lint

How to turn off in-app purchases in Android

Android is different from OS in that there is no option to simply turn off in-app purchases. But what you can do is require authentication for every purchase through Google Play on a particular device.

On the Android phone or tablet you want to restrict, go to the Google Play Store app, then tap on the profile picture at the top right and choose “Settings.” Now tap “Authentication”, then tap “Authentication Required for Purchases” and tap that option.

Make sure that the option “For all purchases through Google Play on this device” is selected, and now every time you try to spend money – whether it is to buy a premium game or an in-app purchase – it will ask for your password. . Just make sure you don’t let anyone else know what it is.

Another option for managing your children’s content is Google’s Family Link service. It’s an app that you can download to any device – Android or iOS – and set parental controls for screen time, purchases, etc.

Written by Cam Bunton. Originally published on April 16, 2013.