Not Receiving Child’s Approval Request For Apps On iPhone [Fixed]

As a parent, you want to keep your child safe while also allowing them to enjoy the latest apps and technology.

This is where Apple’s Family Sharing feature comes in handy.

With Family Sharing, you can create a family group and share purchases, subscriptions, and even app approvals with your child.

However, what happens when you’re not receiving your child’s approval request for apps on iPhone?

In this article, we’ll explore some common reasons why this might be happening and what you can do to fix it.

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first take a closer look at what Ask to Buy is and how it works.

Ask to Buy is a feature of Family Sharing that allows parents to approve or deny their child’s app and in-app purchases.

When a child tries to download an app or make an in-app purchase, they will see a message asking for approval.

The parent will receive a notification on their device and can then approve or deny the request.

This is a great way for parents to keep track of their child’s spending and to prevent accidental purchases.

Now, let’s explore some reasons why you might not be receiving your child’s approval request for apps on iPhone.

#1. Check If Family Sharing Is Set Up Correctly

The first step in troubleshooting this issue is to check if you have set up Family Sharing correctly.

Family Sharing is a feature that allows you to share purchases and subscriptions with up to six family members.

To use this feature, you need to set up a family group and add your child’s Apple ID to the group.

Here’s how you can check if Family Sharing is set up correctly:

Step 1: Go to Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on your name at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Family Sharing.

Step 4: Check that your child’s Apple ID is listed under Family Members.

If your child’s Apple ID is not listed, you need to add them to the family group.

To do this, tap on Add Family Member and follow the instructions to add your child’s Apple ID.

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#2. Check If Your Child Sent The Approval Request

The second step is to check if your child sent the approval request.

Your child needs to send the approval request to your Apple ID for you to receive it.

To do this, your child needs to follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings on their iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on their name at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Select Ask to Buy under Family Sharing.

Step 4: Select the app they want to buy and tap on Ask.

If your child did not send the approval request, you will not receive it.

Make sure you explain to your child the importance of sending the approval request so that you can monitor their app usage.

#3. Check If The Device Is Connected To The Internet

Approval requests won’t be sent if the device is not connected to the internet.

Make sure that your child’s device is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.

If the device is not connected to the internet, the approval request will be sent when the device is next online.

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#4. Make Sure Ask To Buy Feature Is Turned On

Ask To Buy not working on your iPhone?

Make sure Ask to Buy feature on your child’s iPhone is enabled, you can check by following these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your child’s iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on their name at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Select Family Sharing.

Step 4: Tap on your name or the organizer’s name.

Step 5: Scroll down and find the option for Ask to Buy.

Step 6: Toggle the switch for Require Purchase Approval to the ON position.

Once you turn on the Ask to Buy feature, your child will need to send a request to you or the family organizer to purchase or download any app, book, or music.

Once the request is sent, you will receive a notification on your device, and you can approve or decline the request.

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#5. Change The Name Of The iPhone

This is another trick which I have found on Apple Discussion. This solution has fixed the issue for several users.

You need to simply change the name of the iPhone.

• Go to Settings > General > About > Name.
• Change the name.

After this, your issue would get fixed.

#6. Switch OFF and On Ask To Buy On iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your child’s iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on their name at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Select Family Sharing.

Step 4: Tap on your name or the organizer’s name.

Step 5: Scroll down and find the option for Ask to Buy.

Step 6: Toggle the switch to turn it off for Require Purchase Approval.

Step 7: Now, reboot your device, get back to this setting and simply turn On the toggle for Require Purchase Approval.

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#7. Check If Approval Request Sent To The Wrong Email Address

It’s possible that the approval request was sent to the wrong email address.

Check your email and spam folder to see if the approval request email has been sent there.

The email will come from Apple and will include a link to approve or deny the request.

#8. Restart Both Devices

The next solution is to restart both your device and your child’s device. This can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.

To restart your iPhone, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press and hold the power button on your iPhone.

Step 2: Slide the power off button to the right.

Step 3: Wait for your iPhone to turn off completely.

Step 4: Press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.

To restart your child’s iPhone, follow the same steps.

#9. Update The iOS Software

Another solution is to update the iOS software on both your device and your child’s device.

Apple frequently releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance.

Updating your iOS software can resolve issues with Family Sharing and approval requests.

Here’s how you can update the iOS software:

Step 1: Go to Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2: Go to General > Software Update.

Step 3: Now, download and install the latest version of iOS on your iPhone.

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#10. Sign Out and Sign In To Your Apple ID

If still you are not receiving child’s approval request for app on iPhone, then sign out of your device and sign in back. May be this can fix your issue.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on your name at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Scroll down and select the option for “Sign Out.”

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

Step 5: If you have Find My enabled, you will need to enter your Apple ID password again to turn it off.

Step 6: Tap on the “Sign Out” button.

Once you sign out, you will be returned to the main settings screen. You can now sign back in with your Apple ID by following these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on the “Sign in to your iPhone” option at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Enter your Apple ID and password.

Step 4: Follow the prompts to complete the sign-in process.

Once you sign back in, you will be able to access all of your apps, music, and other content that are linked to your Apple ID.

You may need to re-download some apps or content if they were not backed up to iCloud or stored locally on your device.

If you encounter any issues while signing in, make sure that your Apple ID and password are correct and that your device has a stable internet connection.

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#11: Contact Apple Support For More Help

If nothing seems to work and if you are still not getting your child’s request for apps, then is such case, you can contact Apple support.

You can explain the issue to them that you are facing. After that, they can help you in the right direction to solve the problem.

Bottom Line

So, that’s it!

I hope by following the above-mentioned solutions has helped you in solving the issue not receiving child’s approval request for apps on iPhone.

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Jasper Madison

Jasper Madison is a passionate technical writer with more than 9 years of experience. She has a keen interest in Android and iOS and everything surrounding it. She is a technology enthusiast and fascinated with technology since her childhood days.

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