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With the increasing availability of in-app purchases, it’s easy to spend money on what was initially a free app. This can be particularly concerning if you have children who use your iPhone or iPad without your supervision. Fortunately, you can take steps to limit your family’s expenditures by disabling in-app purchases on your device.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover various ways to disable in-app purchases, including Touch ID, enabling restrictions in iOS, and turning off the fifteen-minute password rule. Follow these simple steps to gain better control over the purchases made on your device.
Doesn’t my password stop in-app purchases?
While it’s true that Apple requires a password to make an in-app purchase, it only applies for fifteen minutes after the first purchase is made. Beyond that period, additional charges can be made without the need for a password, which makes it important to take further security measures.
Use Touch ID
One quick and easy way to enhance your device’s security is to enable Touch ID for all purchases. This ensures that purchases on your account require both a password and your fingerprint. Here are the steps to follow:
Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and in the Use Touch ID for: section, tap the iTunes & App Store button to enable Touch ID for purchases on your device.
Enable restrictions in iOS
The Restrictions feature in iOS is another useful tool to limit in-app purchases. Here’s how to enable it:
Go to Settings > General > Restrictions and select Enable Restrictions at the top of the page. Create a new password for this feature which is different from your phone’s existing passcode. Keep it secure, as forgetting the restriction passcode requires resetting your iPhone to factory settings. Here, you’ll also find various options to restrict access to other functions on your phone, including camera use, FaceTime, and explicit content.
Settings Restrictions
To disable in-app purchases, scroll through the list of options until you see the section labeled iTunes Store, then at the bottom find the In-App Purchases option and turn it off. Note that this means you will not be able to make any in-app purchases on your device.
Disabling the fifteen-minute password rule
To ensure that a password is required for every purchase, including the fifteen-minute window following a purchase, follow these steps: Go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Password Settings and select the Always Required option.
By following these straightforward steps, you can keep in-app purchases from draining your wallet and gain better control over your device’s security.
FAQs
1. How can I ensure that my child does not make in-app purchases on my phone?
You can limit your child’s access to in-app purchases by enabling the Restrictions feature in iOS, as described in this guide. Alternatively, you can use Family Sharing, which allows you to ask your permission before your child makes any purchases on their device.
2. Can I make in-app purchases without enabling the fifteen-minute password rule?
If you want to ensure that a password is required for every purchase, even during the fifteen-minute window following a purchase, you can turn off the fifteen-minute password rule by following the steps described in this guide.