We have my son on screen time settings set up the controls as ‘installing apps’, ‘deleting apps, and ‘in-app purchases’ all to dont allow but he is still able to search for the app store and redownload any apps he has previously installed.
how can we stop him being able to access the appstore?
iPhone 15, iOS 17
Try shutting off "Ask to Buy" and see if the App Store goes away. The "Ask to Buy" and the "Installing Apps" settings are somewhat conflicting because when "Installing Apps" is set to Don't Allow, then the App Store should not be available on the device, but with "Ask to Buy" turned on, the App Store must be there for the child to request the purchase of a new app.
After an app has been allowed to be downloaded it will appear in the App Store to be able to be redownloaded. The only solution I see is to remove the App Store, which might require shutting off "Ask to Buy". There does not seem to be an easy way to block a specific app after it has been downloaded as long as the App Store is available on the device.
Try shutting off "Ask to Buy" and see if the App Store goes away. The "Ask to Buy" and the "Installing Apps" settings are somewhat conflicting because when "Installing Apps" is set to Don't Allow, then the App Store should not be available on the device, but with "Ask to Buy" turned on, the App Store must be there for the child to request the purchase of a new app.
After an app has been allowed to be downloaded it will appear in the App Store to be able to be redownloaded. The only solution I see is to remove the App Store, which might require shutting off "Ask to Buy". There does not seem to be an easy way to block a specific app after it has been downloaded as long as the App Store is available on the device.
Are you able to confirm that the App Store is not showing on his device? When "Installing Apps" is set to "Don't Allow", the App Store should no longer be available on the device.
Also on the child's device, see if there is a different Apple ID at Settings > [name on top] > Media & Purchases. Normally a child will not be able to change these settings when a Screen Time passcode is set.
And finally, change your Screen Time passcode.
parentproblems24 wrote:
Thank you I have tried turning off ask to buy but unfortunately the app store is still accessible on his phone - most frustrating!
That is frustrating and appears to be a bug. With Ask to Buy now shut off, try toggling the "Installing Apps" setting to see if it gets updated.
Also when you go to the App Store on his device and select the User Icon in the upper right, does it show a different Apple ID then his and can you sign out?
Yes it definitely says install apps not allowed but the app store is still available. To request any new apps it means we have to approve them but anything that has previously been deleted can be reinstalled without requesting a new permission.
the apple ID settings all look correct and we have already changed the screen time password.
That hasn’t worked either unfortunately.
when I click on the picture icon on top right it just brings up list of apps he has/has previously downloaded. There is no apple ID shown unlike on my device so there is no sign out option
Thank you I have tried turning off ask to buy but unfortunately the app store is still accessible on his phone - most frustrating!
Remove App Store Family Screen controls
