If Ask to Buy isn't working
When Ask to Buy is enabled for a child's device, the Family Sharing organizer or a parent/guardian 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 can't use Ask to Buy.
Things to try first
Make sure that you have Family Sharing set up, and that your child has their own Child Account. Then make sure the Child Account is part of your Family Sharing group.
Update all devices in your Family Sharing group to the latest software version to ensure that your settings sync across all the devices in your family group.
Make sure your child is signed in with their Child Account on their device.
Make sure the Family Sharing organizer or a parent/guardian is added to the child's contacts list so the child's requests can be sent for approval.
Make sure that your child's contact card has the correct information, including their name and Child Account email address or phone number. This will help ensure Ask to Buy notifications are sent and received through Messages.
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.
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 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 requests to make 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.
Depending on your child's age and state, country, or region,* Ask to Buy and app restrictions are turned on by default and can't be turned off or adjusted until they're 18 and can confirm that they're an adult. Learn how to manage app exceptions.
Check your Family Sharing settings
If you're the Family Sharing organizer or a parent/guardian, 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 or a parent/guardian, 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 the Apple menu , then click System Settings.
Click Family.
If you're the family organizer or a parent/guardian, 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. Each family member in the Family Sharing group needs to be signed in to their devices with their own Apple Account.
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 with 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 with macOS 27
Choose the Apple menu , click System Settings, then click Family.
Click your name, then click Purchases.
Make a note of which Apple Account email address or phone number is listed.
Click Purchases.
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 Mac with macOS 26 and earlier
Choose the Apple menu , click 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, then choose Store.
Click Account, then 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 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 27
From the Home Screen, go to Settings, select Profiles and Accounts, then choose iCloud.
Choose your name.
Make sure that you're using the same Apple Account email address or phone number.
On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with tvOS 26 and earlier
From the Home Screen, go to Settings, select Users and Accounts, then choose 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.
*Age varies by state, country, or region. Where legally required, an Apple Account created for a child under 18 needs to be part of a Family Sharing group. Learn how settings and features for kids vary by state, country, or region.