Family Sharing - Approval Needed for Spouse's App Purchases

She should only require approval if her age is set to a minor child's age (usually under 13) and you have Ask To Buy set. I think it exceedingly unlikely both of those apply to your spouse but you can check. If this is not the case then contact Apple about this strange situation.

Refer to this document for ways to contact Apple ➞ Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support

Select your country (also look for "other" regions), then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

Contact Apple for support and service by telephone ➞ Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

Different person, same issue. I just removed from the family group, and it seemed to fix the issue. (Maybe just password share for the subscriptions instead of having a separate account if you use this method.)

Maybe not the same situation. Were you using Ask To Buy? If yes, turn it off.

How to turn on or turn off Ask to Buy, from Set up Ask to Buy - Apple Support

If you're a parent or guardian, use your own device to turn on or turn off Ask to Buy.

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap your name.

3. Tap Family Sharing.

4. Tap your family member's name, then tap Ask to Buy. In iOS 15 or earlier, tap Ask to Buy then tap your family member's name.

5. Turn on or off Require Purchase Approval. 

Here's a list of standard things to try when a feature is not working:

Make sure the software is up to date on all devices involved.

Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Sometimes it helps to have the devices involved take a fresh look at settings:

● If this is a service, try disabling it and turning it back on.

● Try signing out of accounts and back in again.

Sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac - Apple Support

Sign in with your Apple ID - Apple Support

If you have more than one Apple ID, don't forget you may be signed into other accounts too for special services such as iMessage and Media & Purchases.

● Restarting is a simple step that can resolve many unexpected behaviors.

iPhone: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support then choose your model.

iPad: Restart your iPad - Apple Support

Mac: Ways to start up your Mac - Apple Support

Try using other equipment if possible. I have seen several cases where somebody tried to do something on one item of equipment and failed, but then tried on a different item of equipment and succeeded.

Sometimes it can take some time for changes to propagate through the system and waiting may help ( e.g., https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254632281?answerId=258650468022#258650468022 ). If a problem persists, particularly over several days, try contacting Apple for assistance:

Click here --> Choose your country or region - Official Apple Support Select your country, then a product. If you don't see one that handles your issue then keep experimenting with selections until you reach one that gets you a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.

or:

"See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world."

Click here --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

@prentiss94, did you get this sorted? I am having the same issue with my 17 year old daughter who I removed required approvals from some time ago, but it continues to require.

When I click on her name and Ask To Buy, it offers to Turn On Ask to Buy. So it appears to be off. Any suggestions?