On iPhone or iPad, turn on Screen Time and set In-app Purchases to Blocked. On Android, turn on Google Play purchase authentication for all purchases on the device, or, for a child’s account, use Family Link to require approval for in-app purchases. Pokémon GO has no separate purchase lock, so these controls work at the store level. They apply to PokéCoins and every other app that bills through that store.
iPhone and iPad: block in-app purchases
- Open Settings and tap Screen Time. Turn Screen Time on if it is off. Apple says it must be enabled before in-app purchases can be blocked.
- Tap Apps & Websites, then App Store.
- Tap In-app Purchases and choose Blocked.
These steps come from Apple Support’s guide to turning off in-app purchases from Screen Time, which is dated September 17, 2026. Older iOS versions can label things differently, so follow the options on your screen if the path doesn’t match.
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Apple lists two other purchase controls: Ask to Buy for children in a Family Sharing group, and requiring a password for every purchase. Both add a checkpoint. Neither stops purchases outright. Only Blocked does that. Apple also notes that some parental controls vary by device, child’s age, and country or region (Apple’s parental controls guide).
Android: require authentication for Google Play purchases
Niantic’s Pokémon GO help page, Restricting In-App Purchases (Android), recommends this path:
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- Limit screen time and apps
- Block schedules and websites
- Monitor social media and YouTube
- Set Family time
- App install alerts
- Open the Google Play Store, then Menu > Settings.
- Tap Require Authentication For Purchases.
- Select For all purchases through Google Play on this device.
This adds a password or biometric prompt before any Google Play purchase on that device. It does not ban purchases, and it is not specific to Pokémon GO. The Niantic page is about a year old, and I could not confirm its current wording. Play Store menus change, so look for the equivalent authentication setting if the labels differ.
Android child account: require parent approval
For a child account managed by a parent in a family group, Google gives two routes (Purchase approvals on Google Play):
From the Play Store
Tap your profile picture, then Settings > Family > Manage family members. Select the child, tap Purchase approvals, and choose Only in-app purchases.
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Select the child, then Controls > Google Play. Under Purchases & download approvals, tap Require approval for and choose In-app purchases only.
Google says approvals only cover purchases made through Google Play’s billing system. Don’t treat them as a blanket control for payments billed some other way.
Quick Recap
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- Phone Lock Box for Screen Time Control – Lock phones away to reduce screen addiction and help kids and teens stay focused during homework, study time, family meals and bedtime routines.
- App-Based Time Scheduling- Set access windows directly in the app. The password will only unlock the box during the approved time period. Outside that window, it won’t open — even with the correct code.
- Passcode Lock + Backup Key Access – Secure keypad entry plus a physical key override for reliable access when you need it, designed for parents who want firm but flexible control.
- Optional Remote Unlock with WiFi Bridge – Unlock and manage access remotely when paired with the WiFi bridge (sold separately), so you can control screen time even when you’re away from home.
- Heavy Steel Core for Real Security – Reinforced cold-rolled steel construction is built to resist impacts, with durable powder coating and 3-layer anti-corrosion protection for long-term indoor use.
Which control does what
| Control | Effect | Covers | Needs a child or family account? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Time > In-app Purchases > Blocked (Apple) | Blocks purchases | Apple in-app purchases | No |
| Ask to Buy (Apple) | Parent approval | Eligible purchases by a child in Family Sharing | Yes |
| Require Authentication For Purchases (Google Play) | Password or verification step | Google Play purchases on that device | No |
| Family Link purchase approvals | Parent approval | Google Play billing for the managed child | Yes |
Pokémon Trainer Central settings are not purchase controls
Pokémon Trainer Central has child-account settings for Pokémon GO. According to Pokémon Support (updated January 30, 2026), they cover social features and sponsored content. That page doesn’t describe them as purchase controls, so rely on Apple or Google settings to stop spending.
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