How to Stop Children from Making In-App Purchases on Your Android Phone
If you have an Android phone, the Google Play Store features apps which allows you to purchase additional content or services within the app.
Examples of these ‘in-app’ purchases include additional functionality, not included in the free version of the app and virtual coins, power-ups, character costumes and levels within a game.
Parents have learnt the hard way that their kids can run up a fortune in credit card charges on in-app purchases, if left unsupervised with a smartphone or tablet.
Alcatel takes you through the steps you can take to avoid accidental or unwanted in-app purchases on your Android device:
Turn on authentication
Authentication means certain information, like a password or a fingerprint, must be entered on your device to make a purchase. Thus, if you sometimes let your child use your phone, he or she will not be able to make in-app purchases without your permission:
- Open the Google Play Store app
- Tap Menu and then Settings
- Tap Require authentication for purchase
- Choose a setting
- Follow the on-screen instructions
If your device supports fingerprint authentication, you can approve Google Play purchases with a fingerprint scan. Turn on Fingerprint authentication in settings.
To change authentication settings, you will need your Google password. You can choose between the following authentication settings:
- For all purchases through Google Play: The user must provide authentication for every digital content purchase through Google Play on your device, including in-app purchases.
- Every 30 minutes: Once you authenticate for a purchase, you will not need to provide authentication for digital content you buy for the next half an hour.
- Never: Authentication is not required for any purchases. This setting isn’t recommended, even if you never share your phone with a child. Even adults can sometimes make a mistake or purchase on impulse!
As a parent in an Android family group, you can require your children to get your permission for purchasing or downloading content on Google Play.
- Visit the Google Play My Account page from your computer
- Click Family Group
- Click a family member’s name
- Select All content, All paid content, Only in-app purchases, or No approval required
Users should also note that your experience with setting up in-app purchase restrictions may differ, depending on the Android smartphone you use.
