How to Approve App Downloads Remotely in iOS 18

In iOS 18, Apple provides parents with robust oversight of their children's digital activity through Family Sharing and the integrated "Ask to Buy" control. This article explains the primary account management settings that enable guardians to remotely review, approve, or decline app installations and in-app purchases from their own devices, along with the complementary Screen Time restrictions available in the operating system.

Apple Family Sharing and "Ask to Buy"

The primary mechanism for managing remote app approvals in iOS 18 is the Ask to Buy feature, hosted within Apple’s Family Sharing framework. When a family group is established, the Family Organizer can designate specific accounts as child accounts and assign parent/guardian status to adult members.

When Ask to Buy is enabled on a child’s account:

  • Any attempt by the child to download a new app (including free apps) or initiate an in-app purchase triggers an approval request.
  • The request is automatically routed to the designated organizers and guardians.
  • The child cannot complete the download until an adult approves the transaction.

How to Enable Ask to Buy in iOS 18

Parents can configure Ask to Buy directly from their own iPhone or iPad running iOS 18:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name at the top to access your Apple Account.
  3. Select Family Sharing (or simply Family).
  4. Tap the name of the child whose downloads you want to manage.
  5. Select Ask to Buy.
  6. Toggle the switch to On.

(Note: Ask to Buy is enabled by default for children under 13. For teenagers between 13 and 17, parents can manually toggle it on.)

How the Remote Approval Process Works

Once configured, the approval workflow functions seamlessly across Apple devices:

  • Notifications: When the child taps "Get" or "Buy" on the App Store, the parent receives an immediate push notification on their iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch.
  • Interactive Messages: In iOS 18, requests also appear directly in the Messages app conversation thread with the child. This allows parents to review the app's details—including age rating, description, and price—without leaving their messages.
  • Authentication: The parent can tap "Approve" or "Decline." Approving requires authentication via Face ID, Touch ID, or the parent's Apple Account password. Once authorized, the download begins automatically on the child's device.

Additional Controls: Screen Time Content Restrictions

To complement Ask to Buy, iOS 18 includes Screen Time controls to manage app access more strictly:

  • iTunes & App Store Purchases: Found under Settings > Screen Time > [Child's Name] > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases. Parents can set "Installing Apps" or "In-app Purchases" to "Don't Allow" if they wish to completely prevent downloads, regardless of Ask to Buy requests.
  • Age-Based Content Limits: Parents can restrict app visibility by age tier (e.g., 4+, 9+, 12+, 17+) under Content & Privacy Restrictions > Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content > Apps. This prevents children from requesting apps that exceed the chosen age rating.