How to Turn On In-App Purchases in the iOS App Store

Download Article
Quickly approve in-app purchases from the App Store using your iOS device
Download Article

Are you getting the "in-app purchases not allowed" error on your iPhone or iPad? This error is caused by Screen Time restrictions, and it prevents your device from making unauthorized purchases. Luckily, if you have access to Screen Time, this feature can be enabled again in a few simple steps. This wikiHow will show you how to allow and share in-app purchases using your iPhone or iPad device.

Things You Should Know

  • Screen Time can disable in-app purchases, so you'll need to have access or permission to change it.
  • Open "Screen Time" settings → "Content & Privacy Restrictions" → "iTunes & App Store Purchases" → "In-app purchases" → "Allow".
  • Alternatively, toggle off "Content & Privacy Restrictions" to disable all restrictions at once.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Enabling In-App Purchases

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This looks like a grey cog icon.
    • If you're unable to use in-app purchases, you may have parental controls enabled. If you're the device owner, you can easily turn it off . Otherwise, you'll need to contact the owner.
    • Be sure to update your iPhone or iPad .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/da\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this underneath Focus .
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/60\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This can be found underneath Always allowed . [1]
    • If prompted to enter a PIN, enter it now.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this below the Content & Privacy Restrictions toggle. You can toggle this off immediately, though this will also disable other restrictions.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will be below Deleting Apps .
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/26\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll now be able to make in-app purchases within apps from the App Store ; just be sure you have a valid payment method added to your Apple Wallet .
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Open the Settings app and tap your Apple ID. Tap Family Sharing to see your status.
    • Use this method to share in-app purchases with your family or group. Keep in mind that each app will have its own restrictions, and in-app purchases may not be sharable.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This looks like a white A with a blue background. You can usually find this on your home screen or in the App Library.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/ce\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will be in the top-right corner of the screen. A pop-up menu will open.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this below your Apple ID.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You should see In-App Purchases listed on the app's page.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/95\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A pop-up menu will open.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Enable-in-App-Purchases-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will send the in-app purchase to the user in your family or group.
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Restart Your Computer Using the Keyboard
      3 Easy Ways to Find the Publication Date of a Website
      How to
      Check Browsing History on a WiFi Router
      6 Ways to Pair Your JBL Earbuds: Guide & Troubleshooting Tips
      How to
      Connect PC to TV with HDMI
      How to
      Tell if Your Mac Is Too Old to Update
      Easy Ways to Read Crash Dump Files & Troubleshoot Crashes
      What Does DW Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More
      10 Genius Ways to Cheat a Step Counter on a Phone (No Walking Required)
      How to
      Open a Digital Safe Without a Key
      How to Bypass Your Screen Time Passcode: Reset, Remove, or Hack Screen Time
      How to Guess a Password
      How to
      Format a Write–Protected Pen Drive
      How to Add the Google Play Store to an Amazon Fire Tablet
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204396

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 27,667 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement