Google Play Store offers various types of apps, games and content. Out of these, some are kid-friendly while some are not. It is not always possible for parents to monitor their kids’ activities on smartphones. However, for kids who use their parent’s Google accounts, their activities on the Google Play Store can be monitored. Purchase Approval settings help parents to control what content their kid(s) can buy and download in Android’s app store.With this setting enabled, users will require permission to download any app or to make in-app purchases (IAPs).
To download paid apps users have to enter the password on their device. Meanwhile, for free apps, users need to tap the approve option to get the app. But, these methods work only when users set up a payment method that is shared with all the members of the family. Google also allow users to cover their children’s expenses even if they don’t want to expose their card to multiple people. This is where the Purchase Request comes in.
What is the Purchase Requests feature?
Google rolled out the Purchase Requests feature in December 2022. This feature makes it easier for users to monitor what kids buy online without a shared payment method. Parents can use their stored payment methods on their individual Google accounts to monitor their kids’ activities on Google Play Store. The feature will work across their kids’ Chromebook or any other Android devices.
How this feature works
If users don’t have a payment method set up for their Google Family group, the Purchase Request feature allows children to send their parents a real-time message to seek permission to buy apps and place IAPs. However, kids won’t be able to use this feature to make requests for Play Books, subscription purchases, or Google TV. Moreover, if users have already set up a payment method, kids won’t see the option to make a request. In such cases, kids will only see the regular screen asking them to enter the password on the device.
Apart from the Purchase Request message, parents will also get the option to Allow or Deny. If parents want to approve the request, they can pay with their credit, debit, or Google Play gift cards stored on their account. After a request gets approved, Google processes the transaction, starts the download and sends both parties confirmation emails. The transaction details also appear in the Order History menu of the Play Store and are visible to every family member. Users can also choose to revisit requests later if they don’t want to approve one immediately.
However, it is important for users to note that only children under 18 will be able to appeal to the Family Manager to approve requests with their personal cards. Adults won’t need such permissions for purchases unless users change their approval settings to restrict IAPs. Users can also change their approval settings for children if they want. According to Google, “ “Purchase approvals can only be used to limit purchases made with the family payment method through Google Play’s billing system.”
Users also need to keep in mind that Purchase Requests don’t cover existing content shared in the Family Library. These restrictions will only affect future purchases and won’t revoke current access if their child has bought something before. Parents who don’t want their kids to use a particular app can block it in the Family Link app.

The options to manage Purchase Requests will be available on the Google Play Store app. Users also need to remember that both these apps will work only on supported Android devices. It won’t work if users are logged into their account on an iOS smartphone or other third-party devices.
With this setting enabled, whenever kids try to make a purchase or download an app from the Play Store, they will see a popup message that will prompt them to ask their parents to get the item for them.
Once they send the request, their parents will receive a notification where they can see what content their child wants to pay for and prompt them to approve or deny it. If they miss the notification, they can still view it anytime on Play Store or Family Link.
To enable this setting, users need to enter Google Play Store and select the Settings option from the profile icon menu. Here, they can find the Family button and tapping on it will expand a drop-down list. In this list, users need to tap the Manage approval requests option to see which purchases require their permission.