I’ve been trying to download apps on my iPhone, but it keeps asking for permission every time. I’m not sure how to turn off this setting and it’s getting frustrating. Can someone guide me on how to disable the ask permission feature for downloading apps?
Ah, the infamous ‘Ask to Buy’ feature strikes again. Apple designed it so parents could micromanage their kids’ app habits, but now it’s micromanaging you. If you’re over 13 or not in a family group, this shouldn’t even be a thing. But if your phone insists on treating you like a child, here’s the fix:
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Check if you’re in a Family Sharing group. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing. If you’re under someone’s Family group, that’s why you’re getting those annoying permissions messages.
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If you ARE in one, find the ‘Ask to Buy’ setting under your account in Family Sharing. The organizer (probably a parent or guardian figure) has to toggle it off for your account. Spoiler alert: you can’t do this yourself unless you’re the organizer.
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If you’re set up right and not in a Family Sharing group, double-check your payment methods. Sometimes older Apple IDs throw tantrums about permissions when payment info is outdated. Update it under Settings > Apple ID > Payment & Shipping.
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In worst-case scenarios, sign out and back in. Go to Settings > Your Name > Sign Out, then log back in like it’s your first day at the Apple cult.
Now, if you are part of some benevolent parental overlord’s Family Sharing group… yeah, you’re stuck until they decide to let you download apps without approval. Start bribing or making your case to be trusted with your phone. No shame, we’ve all been there.
So, here’s the deal – if your iPhone is insisting on treating you like you still need a permission slip signed to grab an app from the App Store, it’s likely a Family Sharing or restricted account situation. @chasseurdetoiles gave some solid advice, but let me throw in a couple of extras because no one has time for endless pop-ups like it’s 2008.
First off, check your Screen Time settings. Even if you’re not in a Family Sharing group, it’s possible someone (including you in a past life) slapped a content restriction on there. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and dig into Allowed Apps. If restrictions are on, toggle some stuff off and reclaim your independence.
One more wild card to consider: some apps trigger permission requests not because of ‘Ask to Buy’ but because of age ratings tied to your account. For instance, if your Apple ID thinks you’re under the age rating for an app, it’ll annoy you with permission prompts. Check your birthdate under Settings > Apple ID > Name, Phone Numbers, Email. If it’s wrong, fix it. (It’ll ask for ID verification, though, so don’t try lying unless you’re really in the mood to wrestle with Apple Support later.)
Lastly, let’s not pretend Apple doesn’t occasionally bug out. Try updating your OS or resetting your settings under Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. It’ll clear a bunch of small annoyances without wiping your data. Betcha didn’t think about that, right?
By the way, @chasseurdetoiles’s suggestion about “bribing” the family organizer made me laugh, but honestly, if you’re part of a Family Sharing group, polite begging and promising to take out the trash for a month might work better. Parents love that.
Alright, jumping straight into the issue at hand. If you’re still wrestling with the “Ask for Permission” dilemma on your iPhone despite the awesome info @ombrasilente and @chasseurdetoiles laid out, here are a few alternative routes to tackle this headache—because, let’s face it, Apple is sometimes overzealous with their restrictions.
1. You’ve Updated Your iOS, Right?
Bear with me, but updating your iOS can sometimes reset glitches in permissions systems. Head to Settings > General > Software Update—if you’re sitting on an older version, you’re risking bugs that could trigger unnecessary confirmation prompts. Updating fixes more than you’d think (kinda like turning it on and off again).
2. Double-Check ‘Purchase Sharing’.
If you’re stuck in Family Sharing, the organizer might accidentally have an App Store restriction enabled for all purchases. Ask them to visit Settings > [Organizer Name] > Family Sharing > Purchase Sharing, and toggle it OFF temporarily just to see if it’s causing the interference. This pro/con hotspot? It shifts responsibility to the family group’s decision, but once it’s off, apps should stop bugging you.
3. Restore Default Restrictions via Screen Time.
Expand on @ombrasilente’s Screen Time tip, but instead of just digging into Allowed Apps, go all the way into Settings > Screen Time > Reset Screen Time Passcode (if you know the original one). Sometimes these settings get corrupted, and if restrictions were applied in vague areas, resetting might save you. The downside? You lose some custom content controls if they were previously tuned.
4. Hidden iCloud Glitch—Switch Your ‘Region.’
Odd one here, but trust me; Apple IDs occasionally restrict downloads based on region-lock policies even if it doesn’t explicitly tell you. Change your region by going to Settings > Apple ID > Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region, and toggle it to the same country again. If it’s mismatched, boom—permissions chaos.
5. Last Resort: Factory Reset (aka iPhone Game Over).
If all else fails, a hard reset is your nuclear button: Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Backup your data first, obviously. This is only for the desperate times when literally NOTHING resolves the permission nagging—and even then you might want to consult Apple Support before torching your device.
Some Extra Perspective:
I side-eye the ‘content rating’ block that @ombrasilente brought up because I’ve worked with iPhones enough to know the age-lock system is inherently inconsistent. Even fixing your Apple ID birthdate won’t guarantee the system bypasses outdated ratings or purchase request loops right away.
What Everyone’s Missing:
Apple sometimes pushes overzealous prompts depending on your current network type (Wi-Fi, VPN, or Cellular). Disconnect your VPN, if any, and check whether the issue clears. Apple has been known to throw hissy fits when third-party control overlaps in-app store transactions.
Between @ombrasilente focusing on fixing Age/Screen restrictions and @chasseurdetoiles niche-family sharing bribes, these tips fill the gaps on overlooked errors. It’s worth combining the advice before completely reworking your phone’s ecosystem. Good luck—those pop-ups are maddening, no doubt.