From Opt-In to Opt-Out: The Logic Reverses
Up to iOS 26, Ask to Buy was a feature parents had to manually enable. With iOS 27, Apple flips the logic: for any device set up through a child account for a minor under thirteen, the feature is active by default without any parental intervention required.
The scope also expands compared to the past. It's not just about blocking paid downloads from the App Store — it now covers in-app purchases too, a category that has generated legal controversies and consumer complaints in multiple countries. Apple chose to close this gap before it became a regulatory liability.
Regulatory Context
TechCrunch noted that this move fits into a moment of growing pressure from governments worldwide on tech platforms regarding child protection. Apple dedicating a meaningful portion of its keynote to these tools is not accidental. The family-friendly brand reputation increasingly depends on demonstrating that the commitment is structural, not cosmetic.
The feature integrates with the new child account system introduced in iOS 27, which becomes mandatory for users under thirteen. Ask to Buy hooks into this infrastructure, making protection systemic rather than dependent on parental attention.