Approve your child’s purchases, downloads, and Screen Time requests
Depending on the parental controls* you’ve set up on your child’s device, they may send you a request when they want something new. You can approve or decline from Messages on your own device, or in person on theirs.
Your child may ask for:
An eligible purchase or download, or access to a website on Safari with Ask to Buy or Ask to Browse.
More time on their device when they reach a Screen Time limit with Screen Time Schedules or Time Allowances.
Permission to communicate with a new contact through supported apps like Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.
Respond to your child’s purchase, download, or website request
When your child sends a request for an eligible purchase, download, or website on Safari, you’ll see exactly what they want to download and can approve or decline from your Messages. You can also approve the request directly on their device. If you approve, the app is installed on your child’s device and may be assigned to a Time Allowance category, if you set up Time Allowances.
Approve or decline the request from your device: Tap the request in Messages, then choose Approve or Decline.
Approve the request in person: If you’re with your child, you can approve or deny their request directly on their device. Go to the App Store or Games app, then tap the relevant app or game. Tap or click Approve, then enter your Apple Account password.
Respond to your child’s request for more time on their device
When your child wants additional time on their device outside of their Time Allowances or Screen Time Schedule, they can send you a request for more time. You can respond to their request from your Messages or directly on their device.
When your child sends you a request, do any of the following:
Approve the request for a set amount of time: Tap the request in Messages, then choose Approve for 15 minutes, Approve for 1 hour, or Approve all day.
Decline the request: Tap Not Now. Your child will see that the request was declined.
Approve the request in person: If you’re with your child, they can tap Approve on Device on their device. Enter your Screen Time passcode, then choose how long to approve.
Choose who can approve your child’s requests
If you have another adult in your family, you can set them as a parent or guardian so they can also approve your child’s requests on eligible downloads or purchases.
Go to your family settings:
On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, tap your name, then tap Family.
On Mac: Go to System Settings, then click Family in the sidebar.
Tap or click your adult family member’s name.
Turn on Set as Parent/Guardian.
What’s next?
You can also check how your child is using their device and adjust any of their settings. See Check your child’s Screen Time activity and Quickly adjust your child’s Screen Time settings.