Disable In App Purchases for the iOS App Store on iPhone / iPad

Dec 12, 2010 - 12 Comments

App Store for iOS

If you plan on giving a child an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad as a gift, or even for them just to use for a little while, you may want to disable in-app purchases (IAP). This prevents accidental and unintentional purchases, and it can avoid receiving a shocking iTunes account bill down the road when a young one inadvertently taps a bunch of the IAP’s that are becoming more and more common in apps these days.

How to Turn Off In-App Purchases on iPhone and iPad

This is how to turn off in-app purchases on all iOS hardware and for all versions of iOS.

In iOS 11, iOS 10, iOS 9, iOS 8, iOS 7 and before, here is how you can turn off in-app purchases:

  1. Open the “Settings” app in iOS
  2. Go to “General” and then go to “Restrictions”
  3. Tap on “Enable Restrictions”, then enter and confirm a restrictions passcode
  4. Toggle the switch for “In-App Purchases” to the OFF position
  5. How to disable purchases in Fortnite for iPhone and iPad

  6. Exit out of Settings

Here is how to disable in-app purchases on iOS 6 and earlier versions of iOS, this will work regardless of being on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

  1. Tap on Settings app to open it
  2. Tap on General
  3. Tap on Restrictions
  4. Enter a Restrictions Passcode when asked
  5. Tap on “Enable Restrictions”
  6. Scroll down and tap “In-App Purchases” so that it is “OFF”
  7. Exit Settings

In-App purchases are now disabled, which will prevent someone from racking up a huge iTunes bill when using your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. I would recommend disabling the app purchases in addition to setting an iTunes allowance for kids, the combination of the two is a strong way to control an iTunes bill.

disable in app purchases Large in-app purchase bills are not particularly uncommon, and the Apple Discussion Boards have some horror stories of young children inadvertently charging up large bills – in thats case, $1500, yikes! But even smaller in-app purchases can add up or be an unexpected surprise, so if you are concerned about this you will find adjusting the setting to turn off in-app purchases is an easy resolution. Don’t let this type of unexpected spending happen, set some limitations!

Many popular games rely on in-app purchases to drive some features and bonuses, and even free games like Fortnite have many purchases which you might want to stop or avoid.

If all else fails, you can also try to get an iPhone app refund from Apple. They’re usually pretty forgiving with obvious cases of error, but no guarantee.

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Posted by: Jeff Hurst in iPad, iPhone, iTunes

12 Comments

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  1. Bongeka Ngcobo says:

    Hi I bought an iPad two months ago it switch off their replace it now am trying to set the new it froze I end up switch it off and turn it on it disable doesn’t take password

  2. Damarieon says:

    I need help getting games

  3. Samantha says:

    I don’t have a restrictions option for my Apple account or general so I can’t disable it and I can’t use my App Store to get any apps unless I have a card with money. They say they won’t charge you until a purchase is made but I got a -14.00 on my account from them charging me to put my card on file! What is Apple good for? Taking your money it seems like….

  4. Keisha says:

    Did u ever find out how it’s done? I’m being charged for free apps and I have plenty of space on my phone but I can’t seem to get the problem rectified

  5. Ness says:

    I have gone threw all the things that’s ment to be done to get the sign to go away but when I go in to settings then general I can’t find the next step it’s not there

  6. Blacius says:

    Verification code is not coming

  7. Katie says:

    The only thing I’m having trouble with is that I don’t know my password . For some reason it “reset” my password , but it won’t let me change it . It’s really hard for me to make a new password and new email . I REALLY NEED HELP !!! 😭

  8. Steve says:

    Looked in my settings and found it “on”. Do you have to re-disable it after every OS update?

  9. […] of the best ways to kid-proof (and generally fool proof) an iPhone or iPad is to turn off in-app purchases. That’s great for the iOS world, but for the desktop you can do something similar by […]

  10. […] is one of those must-have restrictions along with disabling in-app purchases if you’re letting little kids use an iPad or iPhone because it’ll stop them from […]

  11. […] this with disabling in-App purchases is a good way to control spending habits and avoid excessive bills. If it comes down to it, you can […]

  12. LunchboxSW says:

    Do this early before you get a $75 bill for additional levels, I learned my lesson :P

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