The Tool Desk
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To limit what a child can spend, add funds to their Microsoft account and let them spend from that balance. To require a parent’s approval for card purchases, turn on Require approval for every purchase in the child’s Microsoft Family Safety spending settings. You can also switch on Ask a parent in the child’s Xbox purchase settings. These controls are for child accounts managed through a Microsoft family group.
Choose the control that matches how your child pays
These settings handle different situations. Adding money creates a finite balance the child can use for eligible Microsoft or Xbox Store purchases; Microsoft says the account cannot be overdrawn. The approval toggle is for purchases made with a credit card. Xbox’s Ask a parent setting provides a console-based way to require approval.
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| Control | What it does | Where to set it |
|---|---|---|
| Account balance | Limits spending to the funds added to the child’s Microsoft account. | Family Safety, on the child’s Spending page. |
| Require approval for every purchase | Requires organizer approval for purchases using a credit card. | Family Safety, under the child’s spending controls. |
| Ask a parent | Enables purchase approval through the child’s Xbox settings. | Xbox console, under the child’s Buy & download privacy settings. |
Set a balance-based spending limit
This option works by funding the child’s Microsoft account rather than setting an independent dollar ceiling. The child can spend the available balance, but not more than it.
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- Sign in with the family organizer’s Microsoft account and open account.microsoft.com/family or Microsoft Family Safety.
- Select the child’s profile. If the account has no funds, choose Add money. If it already has funds, select Manage spending.
- Choose Add money, select an amount, and complete the payment using one of the listed methods. The balance can be used for eligible Microsoft or Xbox Store purchases.
- On the child’s Spending page, turn on Get notified about every purchase and Activity reporting if you want purchase notifications and balance activity.
Require approval for credit-card purchases
If a credit card is added to the child’s account, use the organizer’s account to enable the separate approval control. Microsoft’s instructions specify that this setting applies to credit-card purchases, not the balance allowance.
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XBOX Wireless Gaming Controller | Robot White | Textured triggers and bumpers, Hybrid D-pad, XBOX Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C, Play across Console & PC & Cloud Devices
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- Sign out of the child’s account.
- Open Family Safety as the family organizer and select the child’s profile.
- Go to Manage spending and turn on Require approval for every purchase.
Turn on Ask a parent from the Xbox console
Use an organizer’s Microsoft account on the console to change the child’s purchase privacy settings.
- Sign in to the Xbox with the organizer account and press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Family settings.
- Select Manage family members, then select the child.
- Open Privacy & online safety > Xbox Live privacy > View details & customize > Buy & download.
- Set Ask a parent to On. Microsoft also says this option can be enabled through the Child defaults or Teen defaults on the Xbox Live privacy screen.
Where to find requests and spending activity
When Ask to Buy is active, the organizer can receive an app notification when a child requests a game, app, or in-game purchase for which the child lacks funds. Microsoft Family Safety says requests can appear as phone notifications and in the app’s notification feed. To review purchase history and balance activity, check Spending activity in Family Safety.
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- PLAY LIKE A PRO — The XBOX Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 features over 30 ways to play like a pro. Designed in collaboration with pro-level players, it puts exceptional performance, customization, and durability where it matters most.
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GameSir G7 Pro Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Wireless Gamepad for PC&Android with TMR Sticks, Hall Effect Analog Triggers, 1000Hz Polling Rate, 3.5mm Audio Jack - Black
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