How to turn off in-app purchases on iPhone

Screen Time in iOS has the most comprehensive controls for limiting purchases:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap 'Screen Time'

3. If not already set up, tap 'Turn On Screen Time'

4. Tap 'Content & Privacy Restrictions'

5. Enable 'Content & Privacy Restrictions' (toggle on)

6. Tap 'iTunes & App Store Purchases'

7. Tap 'In-app Purchases'

8. Select 'Don't Allow'

This disables all in-app purchases until you re-enable them. Kids, adults, anyone — in-app purchases are blocked at the system level.

To temporarily allow a purchase:

- Disable the restriction

- Make the purchase

- Re-enable the restriction

This is the nuclear option. If you want more flexibility, see the next steps.

If you want to allow purchases but require confirmation for each one:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap 'Screen Time'

3. Tap 'Content & Privacy Restrictions'

4. Tap 'iTunes & App Store Purchases'

5. Tap 'In-app Purchases'

6. Select 'Require Password' (instead of 'Don't Allow')

7. Set the timeout (15 minutes is a common choice)

With 'Require Password':

- Every in-app purchase prompts for Apple ID password or Face ID

- After entering password once, you can make more purchases within the timeout window

- After timeout, password is required again

For maximum protection, choose:

- 'Always Require' (if available)

- Or set the shortest timeout (15 minutes is usually shortest)

This prevents accidental purchases but doesn't prevent determined kids from making purchases if they know your password.

If you're a parent with kids using Family Sharing, you can require approval for every purchase:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap your name (top of Settings)

3. Tap 'Family Sharing'

4. Tap the family member's name

5. Tap 'Ask to Buy'

6. Enable 'Ask to Buy'

When a child tries to make a purchase:

- Their device prompts for parent approval

- You get a notification on your device

- You approve or decline

- If approved, the purchase goes through

- If declined, the purchase is canceled

This is the best protection for kids. You stay in control of every purchase.

The parent gets a notification immediately. You can approve from anywhere with your device.

Drawbacks:

- Slower (have to approve each purchase)

- Requires the parent to have their phone

- Can be bypassed if parent doesn't respond promptly (some games won't let you play without the purchase)

If you want kids to be able to make some purchases but with limits:

Apple Cash (for family members):

1. Set up Apple Cash Family

2. Set monthly allowance for each child

3. Child can only spend up to their allowance

4. Auto-replenishes monthly if you set it

Apple ID balance:

1. Add a fixed amount to your Apple ID balance

2. Use that balance for purchases

3. When balance runs out, no more purchases without you adding more

Gift cards:

1. Buy gift cards in fixed amounts ($25, $50)

2. Redeem to Apple ID

3. Card value is what's available to spend

4. No credit card on file = no surprise purchases

These are good for:

- Older kids who should have some autonomy

- Adults who want strict spending controls

- Anyone prone to impulse purchases

You control exactly how much can be spent by limiting the balance.

Beyond system-wide restrictions, you can control individual apps:

For specific apps:

1. Open the App Store

2. Find the app

3. Long press / look for 'Restrictions' options

4. Or in the app's settings, look for in-app purchase controls

For specific app categories (kids' apps especially):

- Many kids' apps have a 'parent gate' that requires adult verification

- Look for apps with this feature

- Test by trying to make a purchase yourself

Common offenders for accidental purchases:

- Free games with in-game currency (Clash of Clans, Candy Crush, etc.)

- Subscription apps with free trials

- Music apps with 'tip jar' features

- Photo editing apps with 'premium filter' purchases

If you find apps that frequently trigger accidental purchases:

- Delete them

- Set Screen Time restrictions

- Add them to a 'kids can't access' restricted apps list

Despite your best prevention, purchases sometimes happen. Here's how to get a refund:

For accidental purchases:

1. reportaproblem.apple.com

2. Sign in with your Apple ID

3. Find the purchase

4. Select 'I didn't authorize this' or 'I didn't mean to purchase this'

5. Submit

Apple's refund policy is fairly generous for:

- Recent accidental purchases (within 14 days best)

- Kid purchases (they understand kids click things)

- Unauthorized charges

For purchases that don't qualify:

- Contact the developer directly

- Or accept the purchase

To prevent future issues:

- Set up Screen Time restrictions (covered above)

- Remove payment methods from your Apple ID

- Use Apple ID balance with gift cards only

- Enable Ask to Buy for family members

- Be aware of which apps your kids use regularly

The best protection is layered: device restrictions + parental controls + no saved payment methods + monitoring. The more layers, the harder for accidental purchases to slip through.