How to fix child account issues on iPhone 12 Pro?

Apps on 11 years old phone Iphone-12 pro are not able to be downloaded. I have it set to ask me for permission and screentime is off. Its not notifying me by text message. Ive talked to Apple support twice on the issue and there is some improvement.

Does this look like a carrier issue?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Child account not working properly

iPhone 15 Pro

Posted on Aug 8, 2025 8:30 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 13, 2025 8:56 AM

I did get this from a Reddit user

On Phone 2:

  • Check for sign-in prompts in Settings, if present they'll be near the top (above Airplane mode and below the name). Often labeled "Apple Account Suggestions" or "Update Apple Account Settings". Any Terms & Conditions should also be acknowledged/agreed to
  • Sign in to iMessage: Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive > Use Your Apple Account for iMessage -- if you don't see this button, you will see their Apple Account email in small blue font
  • Add your and your wife's Apple Account email to your respective Contact Card in Contacts: Contacts app (or Phone app > Contacts) > your contact > Edit > add the email and save
  • Still in Contacts, make sure the top entry, My Card, is that child's information
  • Remove any emojis and/or special characters from the device name: Settings > General > About > Name

Your device (and your wife's):

  • Do all the same as above, adding your child's Apple Account email to their contact card on your and your wife's device.

Test Ask to Buy from iPhone 2. If the issue persists, sign that child out of Media & Purchases on iPhone 2: Settings > [name] > Media & Purchases > Sign Out > confirm -- restart iPhone (power off & back on) -- Sign back in by tapping on Media Purchases > Continue

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 13, 2025 8:56 AM in response to Kiheikev

I did get this from a Reddit user

On Phone 2:

  • Check for sign-in prompts in Settings, if present they'll be near the top (above Airplane mode and below the name). Often labeled "Apple Account Suggestions" or "Update Apple Account Settings". Any Terms & Conditions should also be acknowledged/agreed to
  • Sign in to iMessage: Settings > Apps > Messages > Send & Receive > Use Your Apple Account for iMessage -- if you don't see this button, you will see their Apple Account email in small blue font
  • Add your and your wife's Apple Account email to your respective Contact Card in Contacts: Contacts app (or Phone app > Contacts) > your contact > Edit > add the email and save
  • Still in Contacts, make sure the top entry, My Card, is that child's information
  • Remove any emojis and/or special characters from the device name: Settings > General > About > Name

Your device (and your wife's):

  • Do all the same as above, adding your child's Apple Account email to their contact card on your and your wife's device.

Test Ask to Buy from iPhone 2. If the issue persists, sign that child out of Media & Purchases on iPhone 2: Settings > [name] > Media & Purchases > Sign Out > confirm -- restart iPhone (power off & back on) -- Sign back in by tapping on Media Purchases > Continue

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How to fix child account issues on iPhone 12 Pro?

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