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Home › Pay › Common problems › Kids' games and in-app purchases
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Kids' games and in-app purchases

Many children's games are free to download but sell gems, coins, extra lives or memberships inside the game. Kids may not realize these cost real money, and a few taps can add up fast. Apple and Google both offer free tools that let parents approve purchases first. This page explains the common tricks, how to set up approvals, and what to do about charges you didn't expect.

Common problems to watch for

  • Game currency like gems or coins that hides the real dollar cost
  • Countdown timers and 'limited-time' bundles that pressure quick buying
  • Characters that ask kids to buy items to help them
  • Loot boxes or prize draws with random rewards
  • Saved payment details that let purchases go through without a password

Had one of these happen? Telling others what you were charged helps them avoid it.

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Free and low-cost alternatives

Apple Ask to BuyWith Apple's Family Sharing, Ask to Buy sends a request to a parent's device when a child wants to buy or download something.
Google Play purchase approvalsWith Google Family Link or a Google family group, parents can require approval for purchases on Google Play.
PBS KIDS Games appPBS's PBS KIDS Games app offers free learning games for children ages 2 to 8, with new games added over time.
Require a password for every purchaseSet your App Store or Google Play account to ask for a password or biometric check on every purchase.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

Many good kids' games are free or a one-time purchase. Ongoing in-game spending has no natural limit, so set a budget and require parent approval for every purchase.

Before you pay

  • Turn on purchase approvals before handing over a device
  • Check the game's store page for 'In-App Purchases'
  • Explain to kids that gems and coins cost real money
  • Consider a gift card with a set amount instead of a saved card
  • Review your purchase history regularly

How to cancel

  1. For subscriptions inside a game, cancel in the App Store or Google Play subscription settings; deleting the game does not cancel it.
  2. Review your purchase history in your Apple account or Google Play to spot unexpected charges.
  3. For purchases a child made by mistake, request a refund through Apple's or Google's report-a-problem pages.
  4. Turn on Ask to Buy or purchase approvals right away to prevent repeat charges.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

My child made purchases without asking. Can I get a refund?

You can ask. Apple and Google both have pages for reporting a problem with a purchase and requesting a refund, and they review each request. Act quickly and explain that a child made the purchase. Then turn on Ask to Buy or Google Play purchase approvals so it doesn't happen again.

How do I make my child ask before buying?

On Apple devices, set up Family Sharing and turn on Ask to Buy for your child's account. On Android, use Google Family Link or a Google family group and set purchase approvals for Google Play. You can also require a password for every purchase in your app store settings.

What does 'In-App Purchases' mean on a free game?

It means the game is free to download but sells items, upgrades or memberships inside the game. Some games are fully playable without paying, while others strongly push purchases. Read the store page and reviews, try the game yourself, and set up purchase approvals before letting a child play.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.