If you’ve ever been surprised by unexpected charges on your Apple ID — maybe from your child’s game or a sneaky app subscription — you’re not alone. Thankfully, Apple makes it easy to disable in-app purchases on the iPhone 5 and prevent accidental spending.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through every method to stop unwanted in-app purchases, including using Restrictions, Screen Time, and Family Sharing settings. We’ll also explain why disabling in-app purchases is important, plus tips to secure your Apple account and prevent future purchases.
What Are In-App Purchases?
In-app purchases (IAPs) are extra features or content you can buy within apps. They’re common in mobile games and productivity tools.
For example:
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Buying extra coins or gems in a game
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Unlocking premium filters in a photo app
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Subscribing to an ad-free version of an app
There are three main types of in-app purchases:
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Consumable | Used once and can be bought again | Game currency, lives |
| Non-consumable | One-time purchases that don’t expire | Unlocking full version |
| Subscriptions | Recurring charges (weekly, monthly, yearly) | Music streaming, cloud storage |
If you or your child use apps that frequently ask for purchases, disabling them is the safest move.
⚙️ Why Disable In-App Purchases on the iPhone 5?
Even though the iPhone 5 is an older model, many users still use it for calls, basic apps, or as a child’s device. However, in-app purchases can still lead to unexpected charges if left enabled.
Here’s why you should turn them off:
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Prevent kids from spending money on games accidentally
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Avoid surprise bills from hidden or automatic subscriptions
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Increase account security by limiting app store purchases
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Peace of mind knowing no unauthorized purchases can happen
It’s a simple way to protect your wallet and keep your device under control.
Methods to Disable In-App Purchases on the iPhone 5
Since the iPhone 5 runs up to iOS 10.3.4, the settings look slightly different than on newer models. Let’s go through the exact steps that work for this version.
Method 1: Disable In-App Purchases Using Restrictions (iOS 10 and Earlier)
Before Apple introduced Screen Time, there was a feature called Restrictions, which handled parental controls and app limits.
Follow these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Tap General.
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Scroll down and tap Restrictions.
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Tap Enable Restrictions.
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Set a Restrictions Passcode (different from your device passcode).
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Scroll down to In-App Purchases.
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Toggle it OFF.
✅ Once disabled, no app can make in-app purchases — even if you tap a “Buy” button inside the app.
Tip: Remember your Restrictions Passcode. You’ll need it to make changes later.
Method 2: Disable In-App Purchases Using Screen Time (for iOS 12 and Later)
If you’ve upgraded your iPhone 5 to iOS 12 using custom firmware or still use a newer iPhone alongside it, here’s how you can do it using Screen Time.
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Go to Settings → Screen Time.
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Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
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Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions to ON.
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Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
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Select In-App Purchases → Tap Don’t Allow.
That’s it! Now, even if an app tries to prompt you for a purchase, the option will be blocked.
Method 3: Use Family Sharing to Control Purchases
If your child uses the iPhone 5 under your Apple ID family group, Family Sharing can help you approve or deny every purchase request.
Here’s how:
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On your main (parent) iPhone, go to Settings → Your Name → Family Sharing.
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Select Ask to Buy and enable it for your child’s account.
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When your child tries to make a purchase, you’ll get a notification to approve or reject it.
This gives you complete control over all purchases — including in-app ones.
Method 4: Sign Out of the App Store Entirely
If the iPhone 5 is used only for calls or offline games, you can sign out of the App Store completely to prevent any transactions.
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Go to Settings → iTunes & App Store.
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Tap your Apple ID at the top.
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Select Sign Out.
This completely disables the ability to make new purchases, app downloads, or in-app transactions.
⚠️ Note: This also prevents you from updating apps, so use this option only if the phone doesn’t need app updates frequently.
Optional: Disable Automatic Subscriptions and Renewal
Some apps automatically renew subscriptions without reminding you. To stop this:
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Open the App Store.
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Scroll to the bottom → Tap Apple ID → View Apple ID.
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Tap Subscriptions.
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Find the one you want to stop → Tap Cancel Subscription.
How to Re-Enable In-App Purchases (If Needed)
If you ever want to allow in-app purchases again:
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Go back to Settings → General → Restrictions.
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Enter your Restrictions Passcode.
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Toggle In-App Purchases back ON.
You can always turn it back off later if needed.
Comparison Table: All Methods to Disable In-App Purchases
| Method | Works On | Difficulty | Prevents | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictions | iOS 10 & earlier | Easy | All IAPs | Built-in parental control |
| Screen Time | iOS 12+ | Easy | All IAPs | Also controls downloads |
| Family Sharing | All iOS versions | Medium | Child purchases | Needs parent approval |
| Sign Out of App Store | All iOS | Very Easy | All purchases | Disables updates too |
Extra Tips to Prevent Unauthorized Purchases
Even after disabling in-app purchases, it’s good to secure your iPhone and Apple ID.
1. Require Password for All Purchases
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Go to Settings → iTunes & App Store → Password Settings.
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Choose Always Require Password.
This stops one-tap purchases without your approval.
2. Avoid Saving Payment Methods
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Visit appleid.apple.com → Sign in → Payment & Shipping.
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Remove or edit your payment methods.
3. Use Gift Cards Instead of Credit Cards
Use Apple Gift Cards for controlled spending. When the balance is gone, no further purchases can occur.
4. Check Purchase History Regularly
Open Settings → Your Name → Media & Purchases → View Account → Purchase History to review any activity.
Troubleshooting: In-App Purchases Still Showing?
If you’ve turned off in-app purchases but they’re still appearing, try this:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| App still shows “Buy” buttons | Restart iPhone and reopen the app |
| Purchase screen still appears | Check that Restrictions or Screen Time is ON |
| App Store glitch | Sign out and back into Apple ID |
| App ignores settings | Delete and reinstall the app |
Can You Disable In-App Purchases for Specific Apps?
Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t allow you to disable in-app purchases for individual apps.
However, you can:
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Delete specific apps that frequently prompt for purchases.
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Use Guided Access (Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access) to lock your child into a single app that doesn’t have in-app purchases.
What Happens After You Disable In-App Purchases?
Once disabled:
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All “Buy” buttons in apps are grayed out.
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You’ll see an alert saying “In-App Purchases are not allowed”.
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No charges will go through, even if you tap them.
This restriction stays active until you manually turn it off again.
Does Disabling In-App Purchases Affect Regular App Downloads?
No. You can still:
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Download free apps from the App Store.
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Update existing apps.
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Make purchases in the iTunes Store (if enabled separately).
It only blocks in-app transactions made after the app has been downloaded.
Summary: How to Disable In-App Purchases on the iPhone 5
If you want a quick summary, here it is:
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go to Settings → General → Restrictions | Access parental control |
| 2 | Tap Enable Restrictions | Activate the feature |
| 3 | Enter a passcode | Secure your settings |
| 4 | Scroll to In-App Purchases | Find the toggle |
| 5 | Turn it OFF | Disable all in-app payments |
That’s all it takes — no more surprise charges or accidental game purchases.
Conclusion
Knowing how to disable in-app purchases on the iPhone 5 can save you from unexpected expenses and headaches. Whether you’re setting up an old iPhone for your child or just want tighter control over your spending, Apple’s built-in settings make it simple and effective.
It takes just a few minutes to set up, but it offers long-term peace of mind — no more surprise bills, no accidental taps, and complete control over what gets purchased.
❓ FAQs About Disabling In-App Purchases on iPhone 5
1. Can I disable in-app purchases without using Restrictions?
Yes. You can also sign out of your App Store account or use Family Sharing controls.
2. What if I forget my Restrictions Passcode?
You’ll need to reset your device or use iTunes to restore it, since Apple doesn’t allow recovery for forgotten Restrictions codes.
3. Will disabling in-app purchases affect app updates?
No, app updates and free downloads will still work normally.
4. Do I need an internet connection to disable in-app purchases?
No. You can turn off in-app purchases even when offline; the change applies system-wide.
5. Can I disable in-app purchases on all devices at once?
Only if you use Family Sharing and manage restrictions for your child’s Apple ID across devices.
Key Takeaways
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In-app purchases can lead to unexpected charges — especially in kids’ games.
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You can disable them using Restrictions, Screen Time, or Family Sharing.
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Signing out of the App Store is the fastest, most foolproof method.
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Always secure your Apple ID and require passwords for purchases.
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The iPhone 5 supports these restrictions even on older iOS versions.