How do I permanently block app downloads and add more apps to the block list?

I have don’t allow purchases turned on, yet somehow my child can continue to download apps we have deleted. I also can only block a few apps permanently. How can I add to what can be blocked and dtop her from downloading deleted apps?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Blocking apps

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 19, 2025 9:14 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 19, 2025 9:24 AM

You don't mention this but key to anybody trying to help you is that you are probably using Ask To Buy (a different forum BTW --> Family Sharing).


There is no setting preventing a child from re-downloading an already purchased app.


A more extreme solution completely bypassing Ask To Buy is proposed by klaritykhaos in this post:


How can I prevent my child from downloadi… - Apple Community

“As a workaround you can go to Settings> parental controls > itunes and app store purchases> turn off Installing apps. That way you will have full control of which apps are installed. This does work for redownloads.”


If you have a recommendation for Apple about this use Product Feedback - Apple


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 19, 2025 9:24 AM in response to Rtech33

You don't mention this but key to anybody trying to help you is that you are probably using Ask To Buy (a different forum BTW --> Family Sharing).


There is no setting preventing a child from re-downloading an already purchased app.


A more extreme solution completely bypassing Ask To Buy is proposed by klaritykhaos in this post:


How can I prevent my child from downloadi… - Apple Community

“As a workaround you can go to Settings> parental controls > itunes and app store purchases> turn off Installing apps. That way you will have full control of which apps are installed. This does work for redownloads.”


If you have a recommendation for Apple about this use Product Feedback - Apple


How do I permanently block app downloads and add more apps to the block list?

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