What is Ask To Buy? Should I use it?

Ask To Buy is Apple's name for parents receiving notifications whenever their kid wants to download an app or make an in-app purchase. We strongly believe that parents should use Ask To Buy to stay aware of the apps being downloaded onto their kids' devices. (Though note that you'll only get a notification the first time an app is downloaded – if it's offloaded or deleted and then later re-downloaded, you won't receive a second one.)

How can I make sure Ask To Buy is on?

We aren't able to turn this on for you within Screenable, so you'll need to do this from Apple's settings.

1. In your (the parent's) phone, go to the Settings app.
2. Go to Family then choose your kid.
3. Tap Ask To Buy, and make sure the Require Purchase Approval toggle is on.

What is "Require password for purchases"? How can I control it?

This setting isn't super helpful, but we do recommend turning it on, if only to avoid the prevent the "my friend took my phone and made a bunch of purchases" excuse. 🙂 It forces the entry of a password (or TouchID/FaceID, if those have been set up) for each purchase on your kid's device. Otherwise sometimes Apple gives an undetermined period of time where the password/ID does not need to be reentered.

1. Open the Screenable parent app.
2. Tap the ⚙️ (gear icon) by your kid's name.
3. Tap the ⚙️ (gear icon) again to go to their profile.
4. Tap Apple's kid settings, scroll down, and turn on Require password for purchases.

(The password required is generally the kid's iCloud password, but if there is a different account signed in for Media & Purchases on their device, it'll be that one's instead. To find out, tap Settings > Kid's name > Media & Purchases > View Account.)