Disable in-app purchases in your device settings to prevent accidental charges

In-app purchases are charges that happen inside an app — not for downloading the app itself, but for items, features, or subscriptions once you're using it. Games charge for extra lives or cosmetic items. Streaming apps charge for premium tiers. Photo editors charge for filters. On most devices, you can block these purchases entirely through your device settings, require a password before any purchase goes through, or restrict them by age rating.

The method depends on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or Android tablet. Each platform has a different settings menu where purchase controls live. The good news: once you set it up, the restriction applies to every app on that device.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, select Content & Privacy Restrictions, then turn off In-App Purchases entirely or require a password for each one.
  • On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, select Controls on Google Play, and toggle In-App Purchases to require authentication.
  • Disabling in-app purchases prevents charges but may lock you out of features that require payment — some apps won't function without enabling them.
  • If a child uses the device, Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android) lets you set purchase limits by age instead of blocking them entirely.
  • Require a password or fingerprint for every purchase if you want to allow them but prevent accidental charges.

How to disable in-app purchases on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Screen Time near the top of the menu. If you haven't set up Screen Time before, tap Turn On Screen Time, then choose This is My [Device] (not "This is My Child's [Device]"). You'll be asked to create a Screen Time passcode — write this down, because you'll need it to change these settings later.

Once Screen Time is on, go back to Settings and tap Screen Time again. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Toggle the switch at the top to turn it on (it will turn green). Scroll down to the iTunes & App Store Purchases section. Tap In-App Purchases. Select Don't Allow to block all in-app purchases, or select Require Password to allow purchases but require you to enter your Apple ID password each time.

If you choose Require Password, Apple will ask for your password even for free items within apps. This is more annoying but safer if you want to allow some purchases while preventing accidental ones. If you choose Don't Allow, no in-app purchase will go through, period — the option straightforward won't appear in apps.

How to disable in-app purchases on Android phones and tablets

Open the Google Play Store app. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner (it usually shows your initial or a photo). Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Controls on Google Play. Tap Authentication. You'll see options for Require authentication for purchases.

Select For all purchases through Google Play on this device. This means every in-app purchase will require you to enter your Google password or use your fingerprint. There is no "block all purchases" option on Android the way there is on iPhone — you can only require authentication. If you want to prevent purchases entirely, you'll need to use Family Link instead (see the section below).

Some Android devices also have a setting called Unknown sources in the Security menu. This controls whether you can install apps from places other than Google Play. It's not the same as blocking in-app purchases, but it's worth checking if you want to lock down your device further.

Using parental controls to restrict purchases by age

If a child uses the device, both iPhone and Android offer parental control systems that let you set purchase limits instead of blocking them entirely. On iPhone, use Screen Time with a child account. On Android, use Family Link.

With Family Link on Android, open the app and select the child's device. Tap Controls on Google Play, then In-App Purchases. You can set it to Allow all, Allow only free, or Block all. You can also set a spending limit — Google Play will ask for your approval before any purchase over that amount goes through. On iPhone, Screen Time lets you restrict purchases by content rating (for example, allow purchases in apps rated 12+ but block them in apps rated 17+).

What happens when you disable in-app purchases

When you block in-app purchases, the purchase button straightforward disappears from apps. You won't see the option to buy anything. This is clean and prevents accidental taps, but it also means you can't change your mind later without going back into settings.

Some apps rely on in-app purchases for core features. A game might let you play for free but require a purchase to unlock the full story. A photo editor might offer basic filters free but charge for advanced ones. If you disable in-app purchases, those features stay locked. The app will still work, but you won't be able to access paid content.

A few apps won't open at all if in-app purchases are disabled — this is rare, but it happens. If an app suddenly stops working after you disable purchases, that's usually why. You can turn the setting back on, use the app, then turn it back off.

Require a password instead of blocking purchases entirely

If you want to allow in-app purchases but prevent accidental charges, requiring a password is usually the better choice than blocking them completely. On iPhone, this is the Require Password option in Screen Time. On Android, it's the For all purchases through Google Play on this device option in Authentication settings.

With a password requirement, every purchase — even a 99-cent item — will prompt you to enter your password or use your fingerprint. This takes a few extra seconds but stops impulse buys and accidental taps. Kids can't charge things without your password. You keep access to paid features if you decide you want them.

The downside is that you'll be asked for your password a lot. If you use an app that has frequent small purchases (like a game with daily cosmetic items), this gets annoying fast. But for most people, it's the right balance between security and usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable in-app purchases for just one app instead of the whole device?

No. Both iPhone and Android explore purchase restrictions to the entire device, not individual apps. If you want to block purchases in one specific app, your only option is to delete the app or use parental controls to restrict it by content rating. Some apps also have their own purchase settings inside the app itself — check the app's settings menu to see if you can disable purchases there.

What if I forgot my Screen Time passcode on iPhone?

You'll need to reset it through your Apple ID. Go to Settings, tap Screen Time, tap Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode. Apple will ask you to verify your Apple ID. Once verified, you can set a new passcode. If you don't remember your Apple ID password, you'll need to recover it through Apple's account recovery page.

Will disabling in-app purchases stop subscription charges?

No. In-app purchase restrictions block one-time purchases and consumables (like game currency), but they don't stop subscriptions. A subscription is a recurring charge, not a one-time purchase. To cancel a subscription, you need to go into your app store account (Apple ID or Google Play) and manually turn it off. Check your subscriptions list regularly to catch ones you forgot about.

Can I see a history of in-app purchases I've already made?

Yes. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap Media & Purchases, then tap Purchase History. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, tap Payments and subscriptions, then tap Purchase history. You can see what you bought, when, and how much it cost. This is also where you request refunds for accidental purchases.

Do I need to disable in-app purchases if I use a strong password?

A strong password helps, but it's not enough. Accidental taps happen — a child picks up your phone, a notification pops up at the wrong moment, you tap the wrong button in the dark. Disabling purchases or requiring authentication adds a second layer that catches mistakes a password alone won't. It's especially important if kids use the device.