I was trying to manage my family’s app purchases recently when I hit a snag: The Ask to Buy feature wasn’t working. If you’ve ever relied on this tool to check your kids’ app and in-app purchases, you know how essential it is. That’s why I decided to dig deep and figure out how to fix Ask to Buy not working on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Follow along with the article to learn the quick and easy fixes.
1. Check Family Sharing Settings
One of the first steps in resolving the Ask to Buy issue is to ensure that your Family Sharing settings are correctly configured. Family Sharing allows you to share purchases, subscriptions, and more across multiple Apple devices. Sometimes, incorrect settings can interfere with the Ask to Buy feature.
On iPhone
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID banner at the top.
3. Select Family Sharing.
4. Make sure Ask to Buy is enabled for the correct family members.
On Mac
1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Click on your Apple ID.
3. Select Family Sharing from the sidebar.
4. Ensure that Ask to Buy is turned on for the appropriate family members.
Ensuring that Family Sharing is set up correctly can often resolve the issue with Ask to Buy not functioning as expected.
Also read: How to install and use GitHub Desktop on Mac.
2. Content Might Not Be Available
Occasionally, the material your child is attempting to buy might not be accessible in your area or might have been taken down from the App Store. This can prevent the Ask to Buy request from appearing.
Check if the content is still available on the App Store by searching for it directly. This could be why the Ask to Buy requests aren’t going through if it’s unavailable.
3. Verify Your Apple ID
Your Apple ID is crucial for properly functioning Family Sharing and Ask to Buy. Any discrepancies with your Apple ID can cause issues.
For iCloud
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your Apple ID on the top of the screen.
Note: Make sure you are signed in with the correct Apple ID.
3. Tap iCloud and verify that iCloud Drive is enabled.
For Apps
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile picture at the top right.
- Ensure you are signed in with the same Apple ID used for Family Sharing.
Verifying that your Apple ID is correctly set up and synced across devices is essential for Ask to Buy to work seamlessly.
4. Ensure You Have a Supported Device
Ask to Buy requires certain hardware and software configurations. Ensure your devices meet the necessary criteria.
Check that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is running the latest iOS, iPadOS, or macOS version. Devices that are too old may not support the latest features.
Also read: How to install Homebrew on Mac.
5. Change the Approver for Ask to Buy
If the current approver is unavailable or not receiving notifications, you can change the approver to Ask to Buy.
In iOS 17 or Later
1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Select the Apple ID card.
3. Go to Family Sharing.
4. Tap Ask to Buy and select a different family member as the approver.
In macOS Sonoma or Later
1. Navigate to the System Settings.
2. Click on your Apple ID.
3. Choose Family Sharing.
4. Head to Ask to Buy.
5. Assign a different family member as the approver.
Tip: Changing the approver can sometimes resolve issues with notifications not being received.
6. Restart Your Devices
Restarting your devices can resolve many minor software glitches that might be causing Ask to Buy not to work.
iPhone
1. Press and hold the side and volume buttons until the slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn off the iPhone.
3. Press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Mac
1. Click the Apple menu and select Restart.
2. Confirm that you want to restart your Mac.
A simple restart can often fix temporary issues and restore the normal functioning of Ask to Buy.
7. Update Software
Using out-of-date software might lead to problems with Ask to Buy and other services. Make sure all of your electronics are current.
On iPhone
1. Head to the Settings app.
2. Tap General and select Software Update.
3. Download and install any available updates.
On Mac
1. Click the Apple logo and select System Settings.
2. Find and choose Software Update.
3. Install any available updates.
Updating your software is necessary to ensure that Ask to Buy, and all other features run smoothly.
8. Sign Out of Apple ID and Sign In Again
Sometimes, signing out and back into your Apple ID can resolve issues related to account synchronization.
On iPhone
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap the Apple ID banner.
3. Scroll down and select Sign Out.
4. Follow the prompts to sign out.
5. Sign back in with your Apple ID.
On Mac
1. Launch Spotlight (command + spacebar), type System Settings, and open it.
2. Click on your Apple ID and select Overview.
3. Choose Sign Out, and once done, sign back in with your Apple ID.
This process can refresh your account settings and resolve any underlying issues with Ask to Buy.
Also read: How to hide alerts in Messages app on iPhone.
9. Factory Reset Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
One of the final option, you can consider to fix Ask to Buy not working on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is a factory reset. However, you should back up your data first because doing this will remove all of the device’s information and settings.
On iPhone
1. Open Settings and tap General.
2. Scroll down and select Reset.
3. Tap Erase All Content.
4. Confirm your decision and follow the prompts.
On Mac
1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
2. Go to General and then Reset.
3. Click Erase All Content.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the reset.
Factory resetting your devices can help resolve persistent issues but should only be used as a last resort.
10. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above steps work to fix Ask to Buy not working on iPhone, iPad, and Mac then it may be time to contact Apple Support. They can provide more in-depth assistance and help troubleshoot the issue further.
To contact an Apple representative, visit the Apple Support website or use the Support app on your iPhone or iPad.
Purchase Approved!
Dealing with Ask to Buy not working on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac can be frustrating, but with these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the problem. Whether checking your Family Sharing settings, verifying your Apple ID, or even contacting Apple Support, there’s a solution out there for you. Remember, keeping your devices and software updated is crucial to avoid these issues in the future. Hopefully, these tips will help you get Ask to Buy up and running smoothly again.
FAQs
Ensure that the Family Sharing app’s notifications are enabled on both the parent’s and child’s devices. Check Settings > Notifications and verify.
Yes, you can temporarily change the approver. Go to Family Sharing settings, select “Ask to Buy,” and choose a different family member as the approver.
Generally, updating iOS should not affect your Family Sharing settings. However, it’s always a good idea to check and reconfigure settings after an update.
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Chhavi Tomar is a dynamic person who works as an Editor for The Writing Paradigm. She studied B.Sc. Physics and is currently doing a B.Ed. She has more than three years of experience in editing, gained through freelance projects. Chhavi is skilled in technology editing and is actively improving her abilities in this field. Her dedication to accuracy and natural talent for technology make her valuable in the changing world of digital content.
