How to turn off in-app purchases and teach kids smart spending

Gaming has become a highly monetized industry, even after you make an initial purchase. That can present challenges for families, especially with kids using mobile devices. 

With immediate access to the internet, but little supervision, it's important to set up online shopping rules for kids and teach them financial skills to help them avoid the temptation to overspend online. One of the best ways to support these goals is by turning off in-app purchases. Here, we'll explain how to turn off in-app purchases on your kids' phones to limit their ability to make poor spending decisions and offer some tools to build smarter spending habits.

Why in-app purchases are tricky for kids (and parents)

Today's games are designed to encourage users to spend more after buying the initial game. Whether they're on a mobile app or a console, whenever a child is gaming with their screen time, opportunities will arise for them to buy new characters, skins, items, collectibles, and more. 

Naturally, kids are tempted to upgrade their gaming experience, and when it's not their own credit card tied to the account, it can be difficult to understand that they're spending real money — especially if the game uses a "digital" currency. They aren't looking at your credit card statements, after all. Before they know it, they could rack up a huge bill, which you have to pay.

That's why setting up authentication for purchases is so important. Not only can it help control your kids' spending, but it can also reduce the likelihood of your kids making unauthorized or unintentional purchases.

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How to turn off in-app purchases on popular platforms

Fortunately, turning off in-app purchasing is relatively easy for parents. Here's how to turn it off entirely or set up purchase approval across several leading platforms.

iPhone and iPad (iOS)

To disable in-app purchases on both iPhones and iPads, use the Screen Time feature within the device's Settings menu. This feature lets you restrict purchases, including in-app purchases, and set up a password for approval on certain types of purchases. 

Here's how to do it: 

1. Enable Screen Time: If Screen Time is not already enabled, go to Settings > Screen Time and turn it on. 

2. Access Content & Privacy Restrictions: Once Screen Time is enabled, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. 

3. Enable restrictions (if prompted): If prompted, enter your passcode and turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions. 

4. Disable in-app purchases: Tap on iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-App Purchases and choose "Don't Allow."

Android devices

On Android devices, you can control in-app purchases with the Google Play Store's authentication settings. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.

2. Access your settings: Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, and then select "Settings."

3. Select "Authentication": Tap on "Authentication" and then on "Require authentication for purchases."

4. Choose your restriction level: Choose from the following options: "For all purchases through Google Play on this device," "Every 30 minutes," or "Never." Selecting "For all purchases" will effectively block in-app purchases.

5. Confirm with your password: Enter your Google password when prompted. 

If your child is part of a Family Sharing group, you may need to adjust the settings within their account to control their in-app purchases.

Gaming consoles

To turn off in-app purchases on a Nintendo Switch:

1. Log in to your existing parent/guardian Nintendo account to access your settings.

2. Click "Family Group" to see a list of all supervised accounts.

3. Click the Nintendo account for which you want to manage restrictions.

4. Click each setting that you want to adjust, including spending/purchases in the Nintendo Switch eShop and on nintendo.com.

5. Check the box to disable purchases and auto-renewals on the Nintendo Switch and through the My Nintendo Store (including physical orders).

6. Click "Save changes" to confirm.

To turn off in-app purchases on PlayStation consoles:

1. Sign in to Account Management and select "Family Management."

2. Select the family member you want to set restrictions for, and select "Edit" to adjust each feature.

To turn off in-app purchases on Xbox consoles:

1. Create Xbox profiles for each individual user and set up a family group.

2. Set up a PIN and make it required to make purchases and change settings.

3. Manage the members of your Xbox family group by using the Xbox Family Settings app on your mobile device.

Amazon devices and Alexa

Turning off in-app purchases on Amazon devices is simple to do through your primary Amazon account. You can do so through the Amazon App Store app:

1. Launch the Amazon app.

2. Select "Account" and then tap "Settings."

3. Select "In-App Purchasing" and then switch the option to "Off."

This will turn off purchases across Kindles, Fire tablets, and Alexa devices.

Turning off purchases is just the first step: Extra tips for parents

In-app purchases can create a serious headache for parents, but it's also a good entryway for how to teach money skills. It's extremely important for kids to understand the predatory ways in which games try to get people to make purchases because they'll experience similar sales tactics throughout their lives. 

It’s important to teach kids that money in the digital world is money in the real world, too, and introduce them to concepts like budgeting and prudent financial decision-making. Try playing with them to discuss opportunities to make purchases as they arise, or use gamified learning tools, like Greenlight’s LevelUp™, to teach them financial literacy.

Building responsible spending habits with the Greenlight® app

The Greenlight app is a valuable tool for parents who want to teach their kids financial skills. 

The app centralizes your child's finances but allows you to set spending limits and alerts with parental controls to help them make smarter decisions for themselves. You can also use teachable moments to reinforce these money smarts and help them learn the value of budgeting and saving.

Help your kids spend smarter — and worry less

We’re all tempted by digital purchases, especially kids, but turning off in-app purchases is one way to gain a little peace of mind. However, for long-term, sustainable peace of mind, they'll need to learn financial literacy skills that will support them through their entire lives — and that’s where Greenlight can help. 

Teach smart budgeting early. Set spending controls and savings goals, and teach kids how to manage money with Greenlight. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†