User level: Level 1 (5 points)How do I share my apps/subscriptions with family, but not allow adult family members to purchase anything without my permission?
Posted on Oct 9, 2026 10:00 AM
User level: Level 10 (242,520 points)Oct 9, 2026 10:24 AM in response to CommunitySteve
You cannot have it both ways.
If you want to share Apps, then the option for the Organizer to pay for purchases is enabled. If you don't want this then you can turn off purchase sharing or make sure adult members of the Family Sharing group use their own payment method to make purchases. Sharing subscriptions is active regardless, and not affected by this setting.
click here ➜ Share apps and purchases with Family Sharing on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
When the Family Sharing organizer turns on Purchase Sharing and the members enable the feature for their devices, they get access to each other's shared content. The family organizer pays for everyone's purchases unless they turn off Purchase Sharing or other adult family members use their own payment method to make purchases.* When a family member makes a purchase on their device, the family organizer might need to verify the payment method by entering the CVV.
For children you can enable Ask To buy to verify all purchases initiated before they are charged to the Family Organizer's payment method
click here ➜ Approve what your child can purchase and download with Ask to Buy - Apple Support
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256373249