In-app purchases are turned on by default on most devices, but you may need to enable them in your settings if they have been disabled or if you are setting up a new device

The steps to enable in-app purchases depend on whether you use an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. On Apple devices, you control this through Screen Time settings. On Android, the setting lives in Google Play Store settings. If in-app purchases are already on, you will not see a toggle to turn them on — the absence of a restriction means they are active. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Most of the time, in-app purchases work without any action on your part. But if you recently got a new device, restored from a backup, or someone else set up parental controls on your phone, you may need to turn them back on manually. This guide walks you through the exact steps for both iPhone and Android.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone and iPad, open Settings, tap Screen Time, then Content & Privacy Restrictions, and make sure In-App Purchases is set to Allow.
  • On Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, then tap Controls on Google Play, and confirm In-App Purchases is not restricted.
  • If you see a purchase prompt but it will not go through, in-app purchases may be disabled even if you thought you turned them on — check your settings again.
  • You can restrict in-app purchases for specific users on a shared device by setting up parental controls instead of disabling them entirely.

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, you will see a button that says "Turn On Screen Time" — tap it and follow the prompts. If Screen Time is already on, you will see it listed in Settings.

Once you are in Screen Time, tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. You may be asked to enter a Screen Time passcode if you set one up. Tap the toggle next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to turn it on if it is off — this allows you to see the restriction options below. Now scroll down to the Purchases section and tap In-App Purchases. Make sure it is set to Allow. If it says "Don't Allow", tap it and change it to Allow.

Go back to the home screen. In-app purchases are now enabled. If an app still will not let you make a purchase, restart the app or restart your device, then try again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh its settings after you change them.

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 profile picture. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Controls on Google Play. You may be asked to enter your Google account password or use biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition).

Look for the option labeled In-App Purchases. If you see a toggle next to it, make sure it is turned on. If you see text that says "Require authentication for purchases" or similar, tap it and select For all purchases through Google Play. This ensures you are asked to confirm each purchase, which is the default setting. If in-app purchases are already on, you will not see a toggle — the absence of a restriction means they are active.

Close the Settings app and return to Google Play Store. In-app purchases are now enabled. If an app still will not process a purchase, make sure your payment method is up to date by going back to Settings and tapping Payment Methods. A missing or expired payment method is one of the most common reasons purchases fail.

What to Do If In-App Purchases Are Blocked

If you followed the steps above but an app still will not let you purchase, the restriction may be coming from a different setting. On iPhone, check if you have a Screen Time passcode set by someone else — a parent or guardian may have restricted purchases without your knowledge. Ask them for the passcode so you can change the setting.

On Android, open Google Play Store and check your payment methods. Tap your profile icon, go to Settings, then tap Payment Methods. If no payment method is listed, add one. If a payment method is listed but expired, remove it and add a current one. An expired or missing payment method will block purchases even if in-app purchases are turned on.

If you are on a work device or a device managed by your organization, in-app purchases may be restricted by your company's mobile device management system. Contact your IT department or device administrator to request that the restriction be removed. Many organizations lock down in-app purchases to prevent accidental charges.

Restricting In-App Purchases for Other Users

If you share your device with children or other family members, you do not have to disable in-app purchases entirely. Instead, you can set up parental controls that restrict purchases for specific users while keeping them enabled for yourself.

On iPhone, use Family Sharing to set up a child account with its own restrictions. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap Family Sharing. Tap "Add a Family Member" and follow the prompts to create a child account. Once the account is set up, open Settings on that account, go to Screen Time, and disable In-App Purchases for that user only. Your own account will keep in-app purchases enabled.

On Android, use Family Link to manage a child's account. Download the Family Link app, sign in with your Google account, and add your child's account. In Family Link, tap the child's account, go to Controls on Google Play, and turn off In-App Purchases for that account. Your own account will keep in-app purchases enabled. This way, you can make purchases while protecting younger users from accidental charges.

Why In-App Purchases Might Not Work Even When Enabled

In-app purchases require an active internet connection. If you are on Wi-Fi or mobile data but the connection is weak, the purchase may time out. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or waiting a few moments before trying again. A dropped connection is often the reason a purchase fails silently.

Your payment method must be current and have available funds or credit. If your credit card expired or your account balance is too low, the purchase will fail. Update your payment method in your device settings and try again. Some apps will show an error message, but others will simply not process the purchase without explanation.

Some apps require you to be signed into the correct account. On iPhone, make sure you are signed into the Apple ID that has in-app purchases enabled. On Android, make sure you are signed into the Google account associated with Google Play. If you are signed into a different account, sign out and sign back in with the correct one. This is especially common on shared devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I turn off in-app purchases for just one app?

No, in-app purchase settings are device-wide, not per-app. If you want to prevent purchases in a specific app, you can delete the app and reinstall it, or use parental controls to restrict purchases for a specific user account on a shared device.

Do I need to enable in-app purchases every time I get a new app?

No. Once you enable in-app purchases in your device settings, the setting stays on for all apps. You only need to change it once unless you or someone else disables it later.

What happens if I disable in-app purchases?

Apps that rely on in-app purchases will still work, but you will not be able to buy items, remove ads, or unlock features that cost money. You can re-enable in-app purchases at any time by going back to your settings.

Is there a way to set a spending limit on in-app purchases?

iPhone does not have a built-in spending limit, but you can set up purchase confirmation so you are asked to authenticate each purchase. Android does not have a spending limit either, but you can require authentication for all purchases through Google Play.

Why does my device ask me to authenticate every time I make an in-app purchase?

This is a security feature. Your device is asking you to confirm your identity before charging your payment method. You can change this in your settings, but keeping authentication on protects you from accidental or unauthorized purchases.