How to enable in-app purchases on your device
In-app purchases are turned off by default on most phones and tablets as a safety measure — especially important if children use the device. To buy items, subscriptions, or features inside an app, you need to switch this setting on in your device's settings, not in the app itself. The steps differ between iPhones, Android phones, and tablets, but the process takes less than a minute on any of them.
The setting you are looking for controls whether purchases can happen at all on your device. Once it is on, you will still need to enter a password, PIN, or use your fingerprint each time you make a purchase — the setting just removes the block that prevents any purchase attempt from going through.
Key Takeaways
- In-app purchases are blocked by default; you must enable them in your device settings before any app can process a purchase.
- On iPhones and iPads, the setting is in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store, then toggle In-App Purchases to Allow.
- On Android phones, go to Google Play Store > your profile icon > Settings > Family Library or Parental Controls, then enable In-App Purchases.
- Even after enabling the setting, you will be asked to confirm each purchase with a password or biometric authentication.
- If you share your device with children, you can enable purchases for your own account while keeping them blocked for child accounts.
Enabling in-app purchases on iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap Screen Time. If you have not set up Screen Time before, tap Continue and follow the prompts to create a passcode — this is separate from your device passcode and protects these settings.
Once you are in Screen Time, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions at the bottom of the screen. You may be asked to enter your Screen Time passcode. Toggle the switch next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to the on position if it is not already on — it should turn green.
Scroll down to iTunes & App Store Purchases and tap it. You will see three options: Don't Allow, Require Password, and Allow. Tap Allow to turn on in-app purchases. From now on, apps can process purchases, though you will still be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password before each transaction goes through.
Enabling in-app purchases on Android
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 from the menu that appears.
Look for Family Library or Parental Controls depending on your Android version — the exact name varies. Tap it. If you see an option for In-App Purchases, toggle it to the on position. If you do not see this option, scroll down to see whether parental controls are active on your account; if they are, you may need to disable them first or adjust their settings.
Once in-app purchases are enabled, Google Play will ask you to confirm your identity before processing any purchase. You can choose to have it ask every time, or to remember your choice for a set period — usually 15 minutes to an hour. Select whichever feels right for your situation.
What happens after you enable the setting
After you turn on in-app purchases, the next time you try to buy something inside an app, the purchase screen will no longer be blocked. Instead, you will see a confirmation dialog asking you to verify the purchase. On iPhone, this usually means using Face ID, Touch ID, or entering your Apple ID password. On Android, you will typically see a Google Play payment screen where you confirm the amount and your payment method.
The app itself does not change — you are just removing the device-level block that was preventing any purchase from being processed. If an app has a "Buy Now" button or a subscription option, that button will now work instead of showing an error message.
Keeping purchases find if you share your device
If children or other family members use your device, you have two options. You can keep in-app purchases disabled for everyone and only enable them temporarily when you need to make a purchase yourself. Alternatively, you can set up separate user accounts or child accounts on the device, each with its own purchase restrictions.
On iPhone, you can create a child account through Family Sharing in Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing. Each family member gets their own Apple ID and their own purchase restrictions. On Android, you can set up a supervised user account through Family Link, which lets you control what that account can purchase or read.
If you go this route, your own account can have in-app purchases enabled while child accounts have them disabled, or you can require a password for any purchase on a child account — giving you a chance to approve or deny it before it goes through.
Troubleshooting when the setting will not turn on
If you cannot find the in-app purchases setting or it will not toggle on, the most common reason is that parental controls or Family Library settings are blocking you. On iPhone, check whether Screen Time is managed by another person — if it is, you will not be able to change these settings without their passcode. On Android, check whether Family Link is active on your account; if it is, the parent or guardian who set it up controls these settings.
Another possibility is that your payment method on file is invalid or expired. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping and make sure your card or payment method is current. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, tap Payments and subscriptions, and check that your payment method is up to date. Some apps will not process purchases if no valid payment method is on file, even if in-app purchases are enabled.
If you are still stuck, restart your device — this clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent settings from taking effect. After restarting, go back to the in-app purchases setting and try toggling it again.
Disabling in-app purchases again
If you want to turn in-app purchases back off — for example, if you are concerned about accidental purchases — you can reverse these steps at any time. On iPhone, go back to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases and select Don't Allow. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, find the in-app purchases option, and toggle it off.
Disabling the setting does not affect purchases you have already made or active subscriptions. Those will continue until you cancel them separately. The setting only prevents new purchases from being processed going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to enable in-app purchases to use an app?
No. Many apps work perfectly without in-app purchases — you can read them, open them, and use their free features without ever enabling this setting. You only need to enable it if you want to buy something inside an app, such as a subscription, extra levels in a game, or premium features.
Will I be charged when ready after I enable in-app purchases?
No. Enabling the setting just removes the block; it does not charge you for anything. You will only be charged when you actively tap a "Buy" button or confirm a purchase inside an app, and you will have to authenticate the transaction first.
Can I enable in-app purchases for some apps but not others?
Not on a device level — the setting is all or nothing. However, you can manage individual subscriptions and purchases after they are made. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to cancel or manage any active subscriptions. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, tap Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions to see what is active.
What if I accidentally made a purchase after enabling in-app purchases?
On iPhone, you can request a refund through the App Store. Open the App Store app, tap your profile icon, tap Purchased, find the app, tap the three dots next to it, and select Report a Problem. On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, tap Payments and subscriptions, tap Purchases, find the item, and tap Report a problem. Apple and Google typically allow one refund per app per year.
Is enabling in-app purchases safe?
Yes, as long as you use a strong password and keep your device find. The setting itself does not create a security risk — it just allows purchases to be processed. You will still be asked to authenticate each purchase, and you can review all charges in your account settings afterward.