Mobile apps aren’t getting cheaper—they’re getting better at getting paid. Appfigures estimates global consumer spending across the App Store and Google Play hit $155.8 billion in 2025, and $55.5 billion of that was in the U.S. alone. That’s a lot of “just one quick purchase” energy. [8]

If you’ve ever meant to tap Close and hit Buy instead, you’re not alone. The good news: you can block in-app purchases (or at least make them annoying enough to rethink), and that one change can protect both your wallet and your future self.

What “blocking in-app purchases” actually means

In-app purchases (IAPs) are any paid add-ons inside an app: extra lives, premium features, coins, “remove ads,” and also many app subscriptions.

Blocking usually happens in one of three ways:

  • Hard block: The device/account is set to not allow in-app purchases at all (best when available). [1]
  • Friction lock: Every purchase requires Face ID/Touch ID/password (great for stopping accidental taps). [2]
  • Approval gate: A parent/manager must approve purchases for a child/family member (best for households). [3]

One important limitation: controls generally apply to purchases processed through the App Store/Google Play billing systems—not every payment that happens on the open web. Google is explicit that purchase approvals “only apply to purchases made through Google Play’s billing system.” [3]

The “money firewall” setup (simple and effective)

If you want this to actually stick, layer your defenses:

  1. Turn off IAPs where possible (iPhone/iPad: Screen Time can do this). [1]
  2. Require verification for every purchase (Android: Google Play purchase verification set to “Always”). [2]
  3. Use approvals for kids/teens (Ask-to-buy style approvals are the cleanest way to prevent surprise charges). [3]

Apple’s own framing is blunt: Screen Time can help you “prevent unintentional or unauthorized purchases.” [1]

5 apps that help you block in-app purchases (and keep money in your account)

1) Apple Screen Time (iPhone/iPad)

What it’s good at: A true “off switch” for in-app purchases on iOS/iPadOS. [1]
How it feels in real life: Once it’s set, the random “buy” pop-ups stop being dangerous because the option just fails (or requires your Screen Time passcode).

Pros

  • Can directly set In-app Purchases to “Don’t Allow.” [1]
  • Also blocks other store actions (helpful if you’re simplifying spending). [1]
  • No extra app needed; it’s built-in. [1]

Cons

  • If someone learns the Screen Time passcode, the lock is only as strong as that secret.
  • Takes a few minutes to configure correctly the first time.

2) Google Play Store (Android) — Purchase Verification

What it’s good at: Stopping accidental purchases by forcing a “prove it’s you” step every time. [2]
How it feels in real life: This turns impulse taps into a deliberate moment—Face ID/fingerprint/password becomes your pause button.

Pros

  • Can require verification for every purchase, including in-app purchases. [2]
  • Helps even when you’re the only user (not just families). [2]
  • Works across purchases made through Google Play billing. [2]

Cons

  • It’s not a full “disable IAP” switch; it’s a friction lock.
  • Some payment methods/flows may behave differently by region/device (Google notes variation). [2]

3) Google Family Link (with Google Play purchase approvals)

What it’s good at: Getting purchase requests for kids, and setting approvals to only target in-app purchases if you want. [3]
How it feels in real life: You can let kids download normal stuff, but IAPs become “ask first.”

Pros

  • Lets you set approvals as granular as “Only in-app purchases.” [3]
  • Works with accounts managed with Family Link. [3]
  • Reinforces that approvals apply to Google Play billing (clear boundaries). [3]

Cons

  • Approvals don’t cover every possible payment method outside Play billing. [3]
  • Setup depends on having the family group/child account structure right.

4) Microsoft Family Safety

What it’s good at: If spending leaks through Microsoft/Xbox stores, this gives you spending limits, request flows, and purchase visibility. [5]
How it feels in real life: It’s closer to an allowance + approval model than a pure “block IAP” button.

Pros

  • Supports spending limits and purchase requests tied to Microsoft/Xbox stores. [5]
  • Sends purchase requests/notifications to the parent feed. [5]
  • Good fit if your household spends in Xbox ecosystems. [5]

Cons

  • Not a universal mobile in-app purchase blocker for App Store/Google Play purchases.
  • Best as part of a Microsoft-family setup (accounts required).

5) Qustodio

What it’s good at: Cutting the problem at the source by blocking or limiting the apps that trigger spending, plus device-level lock modes. [6] [7]
How it feels in real life: You don’t “block purchases” so much as you reduce the time and access that lead to spending spirals.

Pros

  • Can block specific apps or set time limits per app. [6]
  • Lock modes can block access broadly (with platform-specific behavior). [7]
  • Useful for “high-spend” games even if purchase controls are already on. [6]

Cons

  • It doesn’t replace App Store/Google Play purchase locks; pair it with Screen Time/Play verification for best results. [1] [2]
  • Features can behave differently across iOS/Android due to OS restrictions. [7]

Trends that make this harder (and why your setup matters more now)

Two things are happening at the same time:

  • Spending is rising even as downloads fall. Appfigures’ 2025 numbers highlight how in-app purchases and subscriptions keep revenue growing. [8]
  • Recurring charges are easy to forget. A study cited by CNBC found consumers spend $133/month more than they estimate on subscriptions. That’s the same “small taps add up” pattern—just on autopilot. [9]
  • Kid-friendly payments are expanding. Google has been rolling out kid features like tap-to-pay controls that rely on Family Link-style management—more convenience, more need for guardrails. [10]

Quick reality check: the safest “block” is boring

The most reliable way to stop in-app purchases isn’t willpower—it’s removing the easy path:

  • Disable IAPs where you can (iOS Screen Time). [1]
  • Require verification everywhere else (Google Play “Always”). [2]
  • Use approvals for kids (Google Play purchase approvals / Ask-to-buy style). [3]

Conclusion

Blocking in-app purchases is mostly about adding friction and accountability where apps try to remove it. Once the locks are on, your spending stops being “one tap away,” and starts being a choice again.

References

  1. Apple Support — Use Screen Time to turn off in-app purchases on your iPhone or iPad: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102470
  2. Google Play Help — Purchase verification for Google Play: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1626831
  3. Google Play Help — Purchase approvals on Google Play: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/7039872
  4. Google For Families Help — Use a family payment method on Google Play: https://support.google.com/families/answer/6294544
  5. Microsoft Support — Spending limits in Family Safety: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/spending-limits-in-family-safety-f30d6801-165d-9f86-3fe7-063245c0449b
  6. Qustodio — App Blocker: https://www.qustodio.com/en/app-blocker/
  7. Qustodio Help — Lock Navigation and Lock Device time limits (platform differences): https://help.qustodio.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005216657-What-do-Lock-Navigation-and-Lock-Device-mean-for-time-limits-on-each-platform
  8. TechCrunch — App downloads declined again in 2025, but consumer spending soared to nearly $156B (Appfigures data): https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/app-downloads-declined-again-in-2025-but-consumer-spending-soared-to-nearly-156b/
  9. CNBC — Consumers underestimate monthly subscription costs by at least $100 (includes $133/month gap): https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/06/consumers-underestimate-monthly-subscription-costs-by-at-least-100.html
  10. The Verge — Google Wallet is adding tap-to-pay for kids: https://www.theverge.com/news/632388/google-wallet-tap-to-pay-kids-launch