My son has recently got his first iPhone and I have him set up on Family Sharing and use parental controls on his phone. The 'Ask to Buy' (for apps) and when he asks to extend screen time features don't go to my phone but will go to my MacBook or iPad instead, and I don't get them. I don't want to sign out of those devices. Is there a way to make sure those requests ONLY go to my iPhone?
iPhone SE, iOS 14
Hi, Parjata.
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities. We’re glad you decided to reach out about your Ask to Buy notifications. If we understand correctly, the notifications are going to your other two devices, just not your iPhone.
Are you able to see the notification in Notification Center on your iPhone?
If Ask to Buy isn't working - Apple Support
If you see the notifications on your other devices, but not your iPhone (even in Notification Center), check to make sure you’re signed into both iCloud and iTunes on your iPhone with the organizer Apple ID.
If you see them in Notification Center, notifications will follow where your devices detect your attention. If your MacBook or iPad are unlocked and in use, you’ll likely see the notifications there first. If you iPhone is unlocked and in use, it should go there first.
All our best.
Thanks Jeff. In these cases the requests are not appearing in the notification center on my phone. Yes I am signed into iTunes and iCloud on my phone. I do use my iPad and Macbook a lot as well, so that could be the problem. I just wish there was a feature where I could choose to *always* have the request sent *only* to my phone. I also had it happen where the request didn't arrive on my phone and my Macbook was closed, but when I opened it the next day the request was there! I looked at that troubleshooting link and all the conditions seems to be correct for the request to go to my phone. I guess next time I'll have to ask my son to call me if I don't respond right away and then go check all my devices. Huh.
Parjata,
Make sure you have notifications enabled for the App Store on your iPhone with Lock Screen, Notifications Center, and Banners enabled.
You can also try disabling notifications for the App Store on your iPad and your MacBook, and make sure they’re set correctly on your iPhone. If you try this, you might want to set your iPad to automatically download app updates because you won’t see the notifications.
Use notifications on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
Update apps or use automatic downloads - Apple Support
All our best.
Ask to buy & screen time extension requests going to wrong devices and not to my phone
