Mastering iPad Control: Disabling the “Ask Permission” Feature
So, you’re ready to take the reins back from the “Ask Permission” feature on your iPad? I understand completely. As a parent, educator, or just someone managing multiple Apple devices, you might find yourself needing to streamline app approvals and content access. Let’s cut to the chase.
The “Ask Permission” feature, part of Family Sharing and Screen Time, is designed to give parents control over what children can access and purchase on their devices. Disabling it requires carefully navigating these settings. Here’s a direct breakdown:
For Family Sharing (Purchase Approvals):
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on your name/Apple ID at the top.
- Select Family Sharing.
- Choose the family member whose “Ask to Buy” requests you want to stop receiving.
- Tap “Ask to Buy.”
- Toggle “Require Purchase Approval” to the OFF position.
For Screen Time (Content Restrictions):
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap Screen Time.
- If Screen Time is enabled for your device, you’ll need to turn it off entirely or adjust content restrictions (detailed below).
- To disable Screen Time completely, tap “Turn Off Screen Time” at the bottom of the Screen Time settings. You’ll be prompted to confirm this action.
- To adjust content restrictions instead of disabling Screen Time, tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” Then:
- Tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases” to manage the ability to install, delete, or make in-app purchases. Set the options to “Allow”.
- Tap “Allowed Apps” to control which specific apps are accessible.
- Tap “Content Restrictions” to filter age-appropriate content in apps, books, TV shows, and movies. Selecting “Allow All” will effectively remove these restrictions.
Important Note: You need to perform these steps on the iPad that is managing the Family Sharing or Screen Time settings. If you’re disabling “Ask to Buy” for your own account, you’ll need to do it from your Apple ID settings, not from a child’s device. Remember that these settings are intended for parental control, so disabling them may impact a child’s access to certain content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 FAQs that will provide additional valuable information.
1. What is the “Ask to Buy” feature in Family Sharing?
The “Ask to Buy” feature is a component of Apple’s Family Sharing that allows parents to approve or deny app purchases, in-app purchases, and free downloads initiated by their children on their associated Apple devices. When a child attempts to make a purchase, a notification is sent to the designated family organizer, who can then approve or decline the request directly from their own device.
2. How does Screen Time relate to the “Ask Permission” feature?
Screen Time expands the functionality of “Ask Permission” beyond just purchases. It allows parents to set limits on app usage, block access to specific content, and manage communication, among other things. The “Content & Privacy Restrictions” within Screen Time are directly related to controlling what content a child can access, thus triggering the “Ask Permission” prompts when those restrictions are in place.
3. If I turn off Screen Time, will I lose any data or settings?
Turning off Screen Time won’t erase any data from your apps or device. However, you will lose all the usage statistics that Screen Time has collected. You’ll also lose any time limits, content restrictions, or communication limits you have previously set. If you turn Screen Time back on, it will start collecting data again, but it won’t restore the previous statistics.
4. Can I disable “Ask to Buy” for only certain family members?
Yes, you can. Within the Family Sharing settings, you can independently enable or disable “Require Purchase Approval” (the “Ask to Buy” toggle) for each individual family member. This gives you granular control over who needs permission for purchases.
5. What happens when I approve or decline a purchase request?
When you approve a purchase request, the purchase is immediately processed, and the content is downloaded to the child’s device. If you decline the request, the purchase is cancelled, and the child receives a notification indicating that their request was denied. The purchase will not proceed without your approval.
6. I’ve disabled “Ask to Buy,” but my child still needs permission for some apps. Why?
This likely means that Screen Time’s Content & Privacy Restrictions are still enabled and blocking access to those apps. Even with “Ask to Buy” disabled, Screen Time settings can independently require permission for certain content or functionalities. Review the “Allowed Apps” and “Content Restrictions” settings within Screen Time.
7. How do I know which apps are being blocked by Screen Time?
The easiest way is to go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Apps. This list shows which apps are allowed, and if an app isn’t on the list, it is blocked. Your child will need to request access, or you need to enable it.
8. My child is an adult. How can I remove them from Family Sharing entirely?
You can’t remove an adult family member without their explicit consent. The adult family member needs to remove themselves from the Family Sharing group. They can do this by going to Settings > Apple ID > Family Sharing on their own device and selecting “Leave Family.”
9. Can I approve purchase requests from my Apple Watch?
Yes, you can approve or decline “Ask to Buy” requests directly from your Apple Watch. The notification will appear on your Watch, and you can tap either “Approve” or “Decline.” This offers a convenient way to manage requests on the go.
10. I forgot my Screen Time passcode. How can I reset it?
If you’ve forgotten your Screen Time passcode, you’ll need to reset it. In iOS 13.4 and later, Apple added a recovery option. Go to Settings > Screen Time. Tap “Change Screen Time Passcode,” then tap “Forgot Passcode?” You’ll be prompted to enter the Apple ID and password you used to set up Screen Time. If you haven’t set up a Screen Time passcode recovery method, you will have to erase your device and set it up as new.
11. Can I use a different Apple ID for Family Sharing than for iCloud?
While it’s possible to use a different Apple ID for Family Sharing than for iCloud, it’s generally not recommended. It can lead to confusion and complications with syncing data and managing purchases. For the smoothest experience, using the same Apple ID for both is the best practice.
12. Is there a way to temporarily pause all Screen Time restrictions without completely disabling them?
Unfortunately, there’s no single “pause” button for all Screen Time restrictions. The closest you can get is to either:
- Extend Time Limits: For specific apps, you can temporarily extend the time limit by going to Settings > Screen Time > [Child’s Name] > [App] > Add Time.
- Disable Downtime: If you’ve set up Downtime, you can temporarily disable it by going to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime and toggling it off.
Remember, the “Ask Permission” feature and its associated settings are powerful tools. Understanding how they work and how to adjust them is crucial for managing device access and content for yourself or your family. Take your time, experiment with the settings, and find what works best for your specific needs.
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