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How to Block the App Store on iPhone With Screen Time

Screen Time can prevent app installations or hide the App Store, but those are separate controls. Here are the paths and key version and region caveats.
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To stop new app downloads, use Screen Time’s app-installation restriction. To remove the App Store from view, turn it off under Allowed Apps & Features if that option is available on your iPhone. These are separate controls: hiding an app does not delete it, and limiting age ratings does not block app installation.

Choose what you want Screen Time to do

Goal Screen Time control What it does
Prevent app installations App installation restriction under App Store purchase settings Stops new app installations through the controlled route.
Hide the App Store Allowed Apps & Features Turns off a built-in app or feature so it is hidden from the Home Screen; it is not deleted.
Restrict apps by age rating App Store, Media, Web & Games content restrictions Limits content according to age rating rather than blocking installation itself.
Review a child’s download requests Family Screen Time settings and Ask to Buy Lets a parent or guardian manage restrictions and review eligible requests.

Block new app installations on your iPhone

  1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

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  2. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions if it is off.

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  3. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases and open the app-installation control.

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  4. Set app installation to Don’t Allow.

Apple’s iPhone User Guide labels this purchase-settings area “iTunes & App Store Purchases.” Labels can vary by iOS version; if your device shows a different name, look for the corresponding Screen Time setting for app installations or purchases. The same area has separate controls for deleting apps and in-app purchases, so set those too only if you want to restrict those actions.

Apple’s guide also documents age-rating controls under App Store, Media, Web & Games. Use those to limit which rated apps are permitted, not as a substitute for the installation restriction. Apple’s App Store restrictions guide describes these controls.

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Hide the App Store from the Home Screen

  1. Open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

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  2. Tap Allowed Apps & Features.

  3. Turn off the App Store or the corresponding app or feature, if it appears in the list.

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Apple says, “If you turn off an app, it isn’t deleted; it’s temporarily hidden from your Home Screen until you turn it back on.” Turn the setting back on to restore its visibility. This visibility control is distinct from stopping app installations. Apple’s guide to blocking apps, downloads, websites, and purchases explains the distinction.

Set app limits on a child’s iPhone

A family organizer or designated parent or guardian can manage a child’s Screen Time restrictions. On the adult’s device, open Settings > Screen Time > [child’s name] > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases, then set app installation to Don’t Allow. Labels may differ with the software version.

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If you prefer to review requests rather than block downloads outright, Apple’s Ask to Buy feature can route a child’s purchase or download request to a parent or guardian for approval. See Apple’s parental-controls instructions for the child-device controls and Ask to Buy information.

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Check alternative app distribution settings where available

In regions and iOS versions that support alternative distribution, Apple documents additional controls at Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > App Installations & Purchases. Set App Marketplaces and, if relevant, Web to Don’t Allow to restrict those methods.

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Availability and behavior depend on region and OS version. Apple cautions that if content restrictions were already enabled before updating to an OS version that supports alternative distribution, those existing restrictions might not automatically restrict the new distribution methods. Check the specific controls after updating. Apple’s alternative app distribution guidance covers these settings.

Keep in-app purchases separate from app installation

Blocking installation does not by itself explain or replace the separate in-app-purchase control. If your goal is to stop purchases made inside installed apps, set that restriction separately in Screen Time. Apple also describes requiring a password for future purchases as another purchase protection. See Apple’s instructions for turning off in-app purchases.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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