Restrict App Store Purchases on macOS 13

macOS 13 Ventura provides robust parental control tools to prevent unauthorized downloads and spending on the Mac App Store. By leveraging built-in features such as Screen Time's Content & Privacy settings, Apple's Family Sharing "Ask to Buy" feature, and strict Apple ID password requirements, parents can effectively block or moderate all software installations and in-app purchases made by children.

Enable Screen Time Content & Privacy Restrictions

Screen Time allows you to directly restrict purchasing capabilities on a child’s user account on macOS 13.

  1. Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
  2. Click Screen Time in the sidebar. (If using Family Sharing, select the child's name from the Family Member dropdown menu).
  3. Select Content & Privacy, then toggle the switch to turn it on.
  4. Click Store Restrictions.
  5. Adjust the following settings to restrict purchases:
    • In-app Purchases: Toggle off or disallow to prevent any transactions inside installed apps.
    • Installing Apps: Toggle off to completely prevent downloading new apps from the App Store.
    • Allowed Content: Restrict apps by age ratings (e.g., 4+, 9+, 12+, 17+) to prevent downloading age-inappropriate software.
  6. Click Done to save the changes.

To prevent the child from modifying these controls, click Lock Screen Time Settings at the bottom of the main Screen Time menu and set a dedicated four-digit passcode.

Use "Ask to Buy" with Family Sharing

If your child has their own Apple ID within an Apple Family Sharing group, the "Ask to Buy" feature requires them to get parental approval before downloading any app or making an in-app purchase, even for free items.

  1. Open System Settings on your administrator Mac.
  2. Click Family at the top of the sidebar.
  3. Select your child's account.
  4. Click Ask to Buy in the sidebar.
  5. Turn on Require Purchase Approval.

When enabled, any purchase initiated by the child sends a notification to the family organizer's devices, where the transaction can be approved or declined.

Require Passwords for Every Purchase

For shared Mac accounts or to prevent cached credentials from allowing downloads, you can force the App Store to require a password for every transaction.

  1. Go to System Settings > [Your Name] (or the child's Apple ID).
  2. Click Media & Purchases.
  3. Under the Purchases and In-App Purchases dropdown, select Always Require.
  4. Under the Free Downloads dropdown, toggle on Require Password.

This prevents any download from proceeding without direct entry of the Apple ID password.