# How to stop a child from making purchases in kids' games on iPhone and iPad

> Turn off in-app purchases with Screen Time, use Ask to Buy for a child's own account, and spot games that mix paid and free items. Steps from Apple's own guides.

Published 2026-11-02 by ODEL.

To stop a child from making purchases in games on an iPhone or iPad, open **Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases**, set **In-app Purchases** to **Don't Allow**, and protect it with a Screen Time passcode. If your child has their own Apple Account in Family Sharing, also turn on **Ask to Buy** so every purchase request comes to you. These two settings work in every app, whatever the game's own design.

## Why this matters in kids' games

Many games for young children are free to download and sell content inside: new locations, characters, packs or subscriptions. Young children often cannot tell what is free and what is paid. Bitdefender makes this point about Toca Boca World in [its parent guide](https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/blog/hotforsecurity/is-your-child-playing-toca-boca-world-heres-what-you-should-know), and Screenwise warns about in-app purchases for new locations in [its preschool app guide](https://screenwiseapp.com/guides/best-creative-apps-for-preschoolers). A device setting is the safety net that works no matter how a game shows its paid items.

## Step 1: Block in-app purchases on a shared device

Use this if your child plays on your iPhone or iPad, or on a device signed in to your Apple Account.

1. Open **Settings** and tap **Screen Time**. Turn it on if it is off.
2. Tap **Content & Privacy Restrictions** and turn it on.
3. Tap **iTunes & App Store Purchases**.
4. Tap **In-app Purchases** and choose **Don't Allow**.
5. Back in Screen Time, set a **Screen Time passcode** your child does not know.

Apple's guide: [Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102470). When you want to buy something yourself, switch the setting back temporarily.

## Step 2: Use Ask to Buy for a child's own account

If your child has their own Apple Account in your Family Sharing group:

1. On your device, open **Settings > Family** and tap your child's name.
2. Tap **Apps & Websites** (enter your Screen Time passcode if asked), then **Restrictions**, then **Ask to Buy**.
3. Turn on **Require Purchase Approval**.

When your child tries to buy or download something, you get a request to approve or decline. Apple says redownloads and updates do not create requests, and that availability and defaults depend on your region. Details: [Ask to Buy](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105055) and [Set up parental controls](https://support.apple.com/en-us/105121).

## Step 3: Check the game's own parent controls

Device settings are the backstop. Inside the game, look for:

- A **parental gate** before any purchase screen or outside link
- Paid items clearly marked, not mixed in with free ones
- A parent area that is separate from the child's play space

Play the game for five minutes the way your child would, tapping every locked item, and see what happens.

## Step 4: Know what you are already paying for

Open **Settings**, tap your name, then **Subscriptions**, and review what renews. Kids' subscriptions are easy to forget, especially after a free trial. Deleting an app does not cancel its subscription.

## Step 5: Talk about it, in simple words

Even young children can learn a rule like "the lock means ask a grown-up". It will not replace the settings, but it reduces frustration when a locked item does not open.

## Where Pofino fits

[Pofino](/app/pofino) is a cozy 3D play world for toddlers and preschoolers: children adopt a bunny, kitten, puppy, bear, fox or panda, cook smoothies, cookies, pasta, ice cream and soup, and dress up their own character.

What matters for purchases:

- It has no account registration and does not ask children for an email address, phone number, photo or location.
- It contains no advertising, no analytics SDK and no tracking.
- Apple processes subscriptions and one-time purchases; purchased-content status is kept on the device.
- Parents can set play-time limits in the app settings.

Pofino does sell content. Pofino Family is $4.99 monthly or $29.99 yearly, and extra worlds such as Star Palace, Fairytale Wings, Little Explorers and Space Friends are $2.99 each (US App Store, Nov 2026). Keep Screen Time or Ask to Buy on with Pofino too. It is new, iPhone and iPad only, and English only.

For other pretend-play options, see [Toca Boca World alternatives](/best/toca-boca-world-alternatives) and [Best pretend play games for preschoolers](/best/pretend-play-games-for-preschoolers).

## Checklist

- In-app Purchases set to Don't Allow on shared devices
- Screen Time passcode your child does not know
- Ask to Buy on for your child's own account
- Subscriptions list reviewed
- Games with a parental gate before purchases