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Spending limits and purchase approvals, platform by platform

Only two platforms offer a true monthly money cap. Everyone else uses approvals or an on/off switch. Here is each one, step by step.

Last checked 25 September 2026

Spending controls at a glance, 25 September 2026
PlatformWhat you can setType
PlayStationMonthly Spending Limit per child (starts at £0)Real monthly cap
EA appSeparate monthly limits for games and for in-game contentReal monthly caps
Xbox and Microsoft StoreAsk to buy / Ask a parent, with the account balance as a budgetApproval, no monthly cap
SteamStore access on or off, plus purchase requestsApproval, no monthly cap
Nintendo Switch and Switch 2Spending Restrictions tick boxOn or off
Epic GamesPIN for Epic payments; automatic daily cap for under-13sPIN plus a daily cap for under-13s
Battle.netBlock Shop and in-game purchasesOn or off
Apple (iPhone, iPad, Mac)Ask to Buy and Screen TimeApproval or full block
Google Play (Android)Purchase approvals and purchase verificationApproval

The common gap: gift cards. On Xbox, Apple, Google and Battle.net, money already loaded or redeemed can often be spent without a fresh approval. If you give a child a gift card, set the controls first.

PlayStation

Monthly Spending Limit per child (starts at £0). Real monthly cap.

  1. On PS5: Settings, Family and Parental Controls, Family Management.
  2. Select the child, then Parental Controls, then Monthly Spending Limit.
  3. Leave it at 0 to block purchases, or pick a monthly amount and confirm.
  4. Also possible on the web (Account Management, Family Management) or in the PlayStation Family app.

Child purchases come from the family manager's wallet, up to the limit. Games that take payment on their own website are outside it.

Official help page

EA app

Separate monthly limits for games and for in-game content. Real monthly caps.

  1. Sign in to the EA app with your adult account.
  2. Menu, Settings, Family playtime, Family management, Add Teen Account.
  3. Open the teen account and set Monthly spend limit for Games and expansions and for In-game content.

Teen accounts start at £0. Payments by PayPal or EA Wallet, and subscriptions such as EA Play, do not count towards the limit. On consoles, the console's own controls apply.

Official help page

Xbox and Microsoft Store

Ask to buy / Ask a parent, with the account balance as a budget. Approval, no monthly cap.

  1. In the Xbox Family Settings app, choose the child and turn on Ask to buy.
  2. On console: Settings, Account, Family settings, Manage family members, the child, Privacy & online safety, Buy & download, Ask a parent.
  3. On the web (Microsoft Family Safety), turn on Require approval for every purchase and Spending notifications.

Money already on the child's account and redeemed Xbox gift cards can be spent without asking. Put a PIN on your own profile on a shared console.

Official help page

Steam

Store access on or off, plus purchase requests. Approval, no monthly cap.

  1. Create a Steam Family from Account Details, Family Management, and invite the child's own account.
  2. Open the child's entry and turn on parental controls; set Store access.
  3. Install the Steam Mobile App so purchase requests reach you.

The safest set-up is Store access off and no saved card on the child's account.

Official help page

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

Spending Restrictions tick box. On or off.

  1. Sign in to your Nintendo Account at accounts.nintendo.com.
  2. Open Family Group and choose the supervised account (children 15 and under).
  3. Tick Spending Restrictions and save.

The Parental Controls app handles play time, not money. Nintendo does not refund digital games once the download has started.

Official help page

Epic Games

PIN for Epic payments; automatic daily cap for under-13s. PIN plus a daily cap for under-13s.

  1. Sign in with the child's Epic account at epicgames.com/account/parental-controls.
  2. Set a six-digit parental PIN.
  3. Turn on Require a PIN for Epic Games Payments.

The PIN does not cover purchases made through PlayStation, Xbox, Switch or Steam; set those platforms' controls too.

Official help page

Battle.net

Block Shop and in-game purchases. On or off.

  1. Sign in to Battle.net Account Settings with the child's account.
  2. Choose Parental Controls, then Update, and enter your email.
  3. In the Parental Portal, block purchases and set play-time limits.

Balance added before controls were switched on can still be spent. Removing controls needs Blizzard support.

Official help page

Apple (iPhone, iPad, Mac)

Ask to Buy and Screen Time. Approval or full block.

  1. Settings, Family, the child, then turn on Ask to Buy.
  2. To block entirely: Screen Time, Apps and Websites, App Store, In-app Purchases, Blocked.

Redeeming a gift card sends no request to the parent.

Official help page

Google Play (Android)

Purchase approvals and purchase verification. Approval.

  1. Play app: profile picture, Settings, Family, Manage family members, the child, Purchase approvals.
  2. Or in Family Link: the child, Controls, Google Play.
  3. Set Purchase verification to Always.

Approvals cover the family payment method only, not the child's own Google Play balance.

Official help page

If money was spent without permission

Contact the platform's support straight away and say the purchase was not authorised. The UK industry principles on in-game purchases ask platforms to treat these cases sympathetically. For help talking to a child about spending, see Ask About Games or call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.