Purchase approvals on Google Play

If you're a parent in a family group, you can require family members to get your permission to purchase or download content on Google Play. Purchase approval settings only apply to purchases made through Google Play's billing system.

Change purchase approval settings

If you’re the family manager in the family group, you can choose purchase approval settings for any member of your family. If you're a parent in the family group, you can choose the purchase approval settings for family members whose accounts are managed with Family Link.

Google Play app

1. Open the Google Play app.
2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture.
3. Tap Settings Family Manage family members.
4. Select a family member's name.
5. Tap Purchase approvals.
6. Select the type of purchases that you want to require approval:
   • All content
   • All purchases using the family payment method
   • Only in-app purchases
   • No approval required

Family Link app

1. On your device, open the Family Link app .
2. Tap your child Content restrictions Google Play.
3. Under "Purchases & download approvals," tap Require approval for.
4. Select the type of purchase approval that you want to give:
   • All content
   • Only paid content
   • Only in-app purchases
   • No approval required

Approve or deny requests

If you're a parent in a family group, you can approve or deny requests for content from Google Play.

When a purchase is completed through Google Play's billing system, the family manager gets an email receipt.

You can manage approvals for recommended apps you download in Google Kids Space separately in the Google Kids Space settings.

Paid content

1. When a family member makes a purchase using Google Play's billing system, they'll find a screen that asks for your password.
2. Review the request.
3. To approve, enter your Google Account password on their device.
4. Tap Approve.

Content at no charge

If parental approval for Play content is required for a child whose Google Account is managed with Family Link, they'll see a screen with two options when they try to download or access content:

Ask in a message

1. You'll get a notification on your phone.
2. Review the request. To see more details, tap the request or the name of the app.
3. Tap Approve or Deny.

Ask now

1. You'll review the request on your child's device.
2. To approve it, enter your Google Account password on their device.
3. Tap Approve.

Tip: If you turn off notifications for the Family Link app or the Play Store app, you won't get notified when there's a request.

Find pending requests for content

Play Store app

1. On your Android device, open the Play Store app .
2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or initial Settings Family.
3. Tap Manage approval requests.

Family Link app

1. On your device, open the Family Link app .
2. At the top right, tap Notifications .

Purchase approvals without family payment method

If you’re the family manager in the family group and haven’t added a family payment method, your child may request your approval to make a purchase on their behalf. 

You can complete the purchase with any payment method added to your Google Play account, including Google Play gift cards. You’ll receive a purchase confirmation email to the Google Account you use when completing the purchase. Your child will also receive a purchase confirmation email to the Google Account they used when making the purchase approval request. Purchase approval settings, including purchase confirmation emails, apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.

Important: 

• Children can request approval to purchase paid apps or items sold inside apps. This doesn’t include Play Books, Google TV, or subscription purchases.
• Purchase approvals without a family payment method will not be available for family groups who have a family payment method added.
• Children will not have the ability to view or use the family manager’s payment method without permission from the family manager.
• Purchase approvals without a family payment method will be available for family groups where the family manager has an Android phone.