You're staring at your screen. Maybe it's a new sword in a mobile game or a premium subscription for a meditation app, and you tap "buy." Nothing happens. Or worse, a greyed-out box pops up telling you that you aren't allowed to spend your own money. It’s incredibly annoying. Honestly, figuring out how to allow in app purchases usually feels like navigating a maze designed by a lawyer who’s obsessed with "safety features."
Most people assume their credit card is declined. Usually, it's just a toggle buried deep in a settings menu you haven't looked at since 2022.
Whether you are trying to fix this for yourself or you're a parent trying to give a kid a five-dollar allowance for digital skins, the process is different depending on if you're holding an iPhone or an Android. And it’s not just about one switch. You’ve got to deal with Screen Time, Google Play family groups, and sometimes even your cellular provider’s weird restrictions. Let's break down how to actually get these transactions to go through without losing your mind.
The iOS struggle: When Screen Time gets in the way
Apple is obsessed with "Restrictions." On an iPhone, the main reason you can’t buy anything is a feature called Content & Privacy Restrictions. It’s part of Screen Time. Even if you never turned it on, sometimes a software update or a previous setting change messes with it.
To fix this, you need to head into Settings, then tap Screen Time. Look for Content & Privacy Restrictions. If it's off, that’s probably not your problem. If it's on, tap iTunes & App Store Purchases. You’ll see a list: Installing Apps, Deleting Apps, and—the one we care about—In-app Purchases. If it says "Don't Allow," you're stuck. Tap it, change it to "Allow," and you're golden.
But wait. There’s a catch.
If you are part of an Apple Family Sharing group, the "Organizer" (usually a parent or the person who started the plan) might have "Ask to Buy" enabled. In this case, you can't just flip a switch on your own phone. When you try to buy something, a notification gets sent to their device. If they’re busy or their phone is on Do Not Disturb, your purchase just sits there in limbo. You have to ask them to go into their Family Sharing settings, find your name, and toggle "Ask to Buy" off. It’s a bit of a bureaucratic nightmare for a 99-cent purchase.
Android and the Google Play Store hurdles
Android is a different beast. Usually, Android doesn't "block" purchases by default in the same way Apple does, but it makes the authentication process so clunky that it feels blocked. If you're wondering how to allow in app purchases on a Samsung, Pixel, or OnePlus, you’re mostly looking at the Google Play Store settings.
Open the Play Store. Tap your profile icon in the top right. Hit Settings, then Authentication. There’s an option called "Require authentication for purchases."
If this is set to "For all purchases," every single time you buy a life in Candy Crush, you have to put in a password or a fingerprint. If your biometric sensor is acting up, the purchase fails. You can change this to "Every 30 minutes" or "Never," though "Never" is kinda risky if you have kids.
For the parents out there using Google Family Link, the restriction is much tighter. You have to open the Family Link app on the parent's phone, select the child's account, and go to Controls > Content restrictions > Google Play. Under "Purchases & rental approvals," you can decide if they need approval for all content, only paid content, or nothing at all.
The "Greyed Out" button mystery
Sometimes the button to buy something is just... grey. You can't even click it.
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This usually isn't a setting on your phone. It's often a connection issue with the app's servers or a regional restriction. If you're using a VPN, turn it off. App stores are very sensitive about your geographic location because of tax laws and regional pricing. If your IP address says you're in Switzerland but your credit card is from Ohio, the "buy" button will often commit suicide to prevent fraud.
Also, check your payment methods. It sounds obvious, but an expired CVV code or a bank that thinks your $2.99 purchase is "suspicious activity" will kill the transaction before it even starts. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping. On Android, it's Play Store > Profile > Payments & subscriptions > Payment methods. If there is red text there, that's your culprit.
Why developers want you to enable this (and why you should be careful)
App developers, from small indies to giants like Electronic Arts or King, rely on these microtransactions. According to data from Business of Apps, in-app purchases account for over 50% of all mobile app revenue globally. Without them, most of the "free" apps we use wouldn't exist.
But there’s a dark side. "Dark patterns" are real. Some apps are designed to make you click "buy" by accident. That’s why Apple and Google have added these layers of friction.
If you're a developer reading this, ensuring you follow the App Store Review Guidelines (specifically Section 3.1.1) is vital. If your app tries to bypass Apple’s 30% cut by using an external link for payments without permission, Apple will simply disable your in-app purchase functionality entirely. We saw this play out in the massive legal battle between Epic Games (Fortnite) and Apple. Epic tried to "allow" purchases through their own system, and Apple kicked them off the store for years.
Troubleshooting the "Account Not Provisioned" error
If you see an error saying your account is "not provisioned" for the in-app purchase store, it’s usually one of three things:
- You’re using a beta version of iOS or Android that has a bug.
- Your Apple ID or Google account isn't fully verified (check your email for a "verify your account" link).
- You’re logged into a "Managed" account, like one issued by a school or a workplace.
Work accounts often have a "Profile" installed that hard-blocks all spending. You can check this on iPhone under Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If there’s a corporate profile there, you likely can’t enable purchases without talking to your IT department. Good luck with that.
A quick checklist for immediate fixes
If you’re still stuck, try this specific sequence.
First, sign out of the App Store or Play Store and sign back in. It’s a cliché because it works; it refreshes the "handshake" between your device and the billing servers. Second, check your Screen Time or Family Link settings as mentioned before. Third, make sure your software is updated. Old versions of apps often can't communicate with the latest encrypted payment APIs.
Lastly, check your "Ask to Buy" status. If you’re an adult but you’re still in a "Family" created by your parents a decade ago, you might still be restricted by settings they forgot existed. You might need to leave the Family Group to regain full control over your device.
Moving forward with digital spending
Once you've cleared the technical hurdles, the best way to manage this is to use Biometric Authentication. It’s the sweet spot between "too easy to spend money" and "too hard to get the purchase to work."
Go to your settings and ensure FaceID or TouchID (on iOS) or Fingerprint/Face Unlock (on Android) is toggled on specifically for the App Store. This eliminates the need to remember passwords while still preventing accidental clicks.
Verify that your primary payment method is up to date and that you don't have a "temporary hold" from your bank. If you use a debit card, some banks block international "digital goods" transactions by default as a security measure. A quick call to the bank to "allow international online transactions" can solve this in five minutes.
Check your "Purchase History" regularly. Both Apple and Google provide a detailed list of every cent spent. If you see something you didn't authorize, don't just complain to the app developer; go through the official "Report a Problem" page on Apple's website or the "Request a Refund" section in the Google Play help center. They are generally quite fast at reversing accidental purchases if you catch them within 48 hours.
Next Steps for Success:
- Verify Identity: Go to your phone's "Media & Purchases" settings to ensure your payment info hasn't expired.
- Audit Restrictions: Open Screen Time (iOS) or Family Link (Android) to ensure In-App Purchases are set to "Allow."
- Update Apps: Head to the store and update the specific app you're trying to buy from to ensure the payment API is current.