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ellzar

Q: "Ask to Buy" for Family Sharing user over 18

Is there a way to enable "ask to buy" for someone that is in my  family sharing group but is not a child?  My brother is developmentally delayed and I would prefer that he not have the ability to charge purchases on iTunes or in the app store to my credit card without permission.  We usually just give him iTunes gift cards, but I'm worried about amounts over-and-above the amount of the card.

iPhone 6, iOS 8.3

Posted on Jun 12, 2015 4:11 PM

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Q: "Ask to Buy" for Family Sharing user over 18

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  • by twistedfatemid,

    twistedfatemid twistedfatemid Jun 12, 2015 4:58 PM in response to ellzar
    Level 1 (28 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 12, 2015 4:58 PM in response to ellzar

    It's possible. In Family Sharing, whoever is the Organizer goes to that person and enables "Ask to Buy".

  • by ed2345,

    ed2345 ed2345 Jun 12, 2015 6:17 PM in response to ellzar
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Jun 12, 2015 6:17 PM in response to ellzar

    ellzar wrote:

     

    Is there a way to enable "ask to buy" for someone that is in my  family sharing group but is not a child?  My brother is developmentally delayed and I would prefer that he not have the ability to charge purchases on iTunes or in the app store to my credit card without permission.  We usually just give him iTunes gift cards, but I'm worried about amounts over-and-above the amount of the card.

     

    Just to clarify the previous response, Ask To Buy can only be enabled for members under 18, as described in this Apple document:

    Request and make purchases with Ask to Buy - Apple Support

     

    Your concern is correct that without Ask To Buy, any member can make unlimited purchases against the Family Organizer's credit card.

  • by twistedfatemid,

    twistedfatemid twistedfatemid Jun 13, 2015 1:21 PM in response to ellzar
    Level 1 (28 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 13, 2015 1:21 PM in response to ellzar

    If your brother has a credit card on his Apple ID, it will charge to his card or iTunes store credit before charging to the Organizer's card.

  • by ellzar,

    ellzar ellzar Jun 15, 2015 10:02 AM in response to twistedfatemid
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2015 10:02 AM in response to twistedfatemid

    So if I'm reading this right, it doesn't look like there is an "Ask-to-Buy" feature for persons above the age of 18.  I can understand why Apple wouldn't want to implement this feature generally, but if this is the case then I can't add my developmentally delayed adult brother to my family group.

     

    In general, our family tries to give him as much freedom as possible, but understand that we have to help him with has limitations.  So we give him gift cards to let him enjoy the App / ITunes store, but at the same time we can't give him unfettered access to my credit card.  Even if the iTunes store credit gets charged first, I don't want him to be able to purchase without electronically asking me permission.

     

    Just a quick reason why this is a problem now and not before:    My brother is a big fan of music and I was hoping to implement a family-shared Apple music account when it becomes available.  He participates in stage productions for talented actors with various challenges and is a huge music fan - he loves being a part of it and our family enjoys the show.  I thought it would be fun to give him access to our so he could further expand his musical horizons, but it looks like this option won't work for him at this time.   I would have to get a family account (wife, mom, me) and then another individual membership for him .  That would significantly raise the cost of the subscription.

     

    Given this additional information (should have put it in my original post- sorry!), is there still no way to activate "Ask-to-buy" for him?  If not, is there a way that I could send a feature request to Apple for future versions?  Thanks!

  • by King_Penguin,

    King_Penguin King_Penguin Jun 15, 2015 10:13 AM in response to ellzar
    Level 10 (134,217 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 15, 2015 10:13 AM in response to ellzar

    As it stands you can't, unless you set up a new account for him that has him as under-18

     

    In terms of a feature request, you can try (you won't get a reply unless they want more info) : http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html

  • by ellzar,

    ellzar ellzar Jun 15, 2015 10:22 AM in response to King_Penguin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 15, 2015 10:22 AM in response to King_Penguin

    Thanks all, very much appreciated.