If Ask to Buy isn't working
When Ask to Buy is enabled for a child's device, the Family Sharing organizer should get notifications when the child makes a request to purchase or download an app. Learn what to do if your Ask to Buy notifications are missing, or if your child is unable to use Ask to Buy.
Things to try first
Make sure that both your device and your child's device have the latest version of iOS, iPadOS or macOS.
If Focus is turned on for your device, check the settings to make sure you can receive time-sensitive notifications like Ask to Buy requests. Or turn Focus off to see if that allows notifications to come through. Learn how to check the Focus settings.
Make sure that your device and your child's device have different names. To change the name of a device, open the Settings app, tap General, tap About, then tap your name.
Make sure that your child's contact card has the correct information, including their name and Apple Account email address or phone number. This will help make sure Ask to Buy notifications are sent and received through Messages.
If your Ask to Buy requests are still missing
If you still don't see your Ask to Buy requests, check your Family Sharing settings and check which Apple Account you're signed in to.
If your child still sees a message like "Unable to Ask Permission"
After Ask to Buy is turned on, and your child asks the Family Sharing parent or guardian to approve a purchase or download, your child might see a message similar to "Unable to Ask Permission. You can’t ask permission, because you have signed in with iCloud and iTunes accounts that are not associated with each other."
If you see this message, check your Family Sharing settings and check which Apple Account you're signed in to.
Check your Family Sharing settings
If you're the Family Sharing organizer, check to see if your family members have Ask to Buy turned on.
On your iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app.
Tap Family.
If you're the family organizer, make sure that Purchase Sharing is turned on. Then you can tap a family member's name to see if Ask to Buy is turned on.
On your Mac
Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
Click Family.
If you're the family organizer, click Purchase Sharing and make sure that Share My Purchases is turned on.
Click a family member's name, then click Ask to Buy to see if it's turned on.
Check the Apple Account that you're using for purchases
Make sure that you're signed in to the App Store, iTunes Store, Apple TV app, Apple Music app, or Apple Books using the same Apple Account that's associated with your Family Sharing group.
Learn how to use your own Apple Account for Family Sharing
On your iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app, then tap Family.
Tap your name.
Make a note of which Apple Account email address or phone number is listed.
Tap Purchases.
Tap Apple Account for Purchases and make sure that you're signed in to the same Apple Account that you use for Family Sharing. If not, tap Share using secondary Apple Account and enter the Apple Account credentials for that Apple Account.
On your Mac
Choose Apple Menu > System Settings, then click Family.
Click your name, then click Purchases.
Under Apple Account for Purchases, make a note of which Apple Account email address or phone number is listed.
Open the App Store.
Choose Store > Account.
Click Account Settings.
Make sure that you're signed in with the same Apple Account email address or phone number that you use for Family Sharing.
On your Apple TV
From the Home Screen, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud.
Choose your name. Make a note of the Apple Account email address or phone number.
Click the menu button on the Apple TV remote to return to the Users and Accounts screen.
Choose [your name]'s Account.
Make sure that you're using the same Apple Account email address or phone number.
If Ask to Buy is turned on for a child's account
They can't buy iTunes Match, iTunes Gifts, or Donations.
If they download content from a family member's past purchases or redeem a product code, they’ll see a prompt to request permission, and the parent or guardian will get an Ask to Buy notification
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