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How to Disable in App Purchases and Control Spending in Monster Hunter Outlanders

Guide 10-33154 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to lock down in-app purchases and manage your spending in Monster Hunter Outlanders. You’ll learn how to set up parental controls on iOS and Android, enable purchase prompts, and use built-in spending limits—so you can hunt monsters without worrying about surprise charges on your card.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the device where Monster Hunter Outlanders is installed (iOS or Android).
  • For parental controls: the Apple ID password or Google Account password used to set up the device.
  • For spending limits on Android: the Google Play app and a payment method linked to your Google account.

Step-by-Step

On iPhone or iPad (iOS)

  1. Open Settings. Tap the gear icon on your home screen.
  2. Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu to open your Apple ID settings.
  3. Tap “Screen Time.” If you haven’t set up Screen Time before, tap “Turn On Screen Time” and follow the prompts to create a passcode. This passcode prevents others from changing your restrictions.
  4. Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” If it’s off, toggle it on. You’ll need to enter your Screen Time passcode.
  5. Tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases.” This is where you control app installs, deletions, and in-app purchases.
  6. Tap “In-app Purchases” and select “Don’t Allow.” This completely blocks any purchase made inside Monster Hunter Outlanders (or any other app).
  7. Optional: Set a spending limit instead. If you don’t want to block all purchases, leave “In-app Purchases” on “Allow” and instead go back to Screen Time, tap “Always Allowed,” and remove Monster Hunter Outlanders from the allowed apps—this forces a purchase prompt every time. But note: this doesn’t cap spending; it just requires your approval.

On Android (Google Play)

  1. Open the Google Play Store app.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
  3. Tap “Settings” then “Family.” Here you can set up parental controls.
  4. Toggle on “Parental controls” and create a PIN. This PIN is required to change the settings later.
  5. Tap “Apps & games” and set the restriction level. For Monster Hunter Outlanders, select a rating level that blocks the app entirely if you want to prevent any in-app purchases. Alternatively, you can leave the app accessible but rely on the next step.
  6. Set a purchase authentication requirement. Go back to Settings, tap “Authentication,” and choose “Require authentication for all purchases.” This means every time you try to buy anything in the game, you’ll have to enter your Google password.
  7. For spending limits on Google Play: Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then “Payments & subscriptions,” then “Budget.” Here you can set a monthly spending limit for in-app purchases. Once you hit that limit, Google will block further purchases for the month.

Inside the Game

  1. Open Monster Hunter Outlanders and go to the main menu.
  2. Look for the “Shop” or “Store” icon (usually a gem or a shopping cart).
  3. Tap the gear or settings icon within the shop screen. Many games have a “Purchase Settings” or “Spending Limit” option here.
  4. Enable any available “Confirm every purchase” or “Monthly spending cap” options. The exact wording varies by version, but look for anything that asks for confirmation or limits how much you can spend in a given period.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the Screen Time passcode. If you lose it, you’ll have to reset it via Apple’s website, which can take time.
  • Setting a Google Play spending limit but not enabling authentication. The limit only applies to purchases made through Google Play billing; if the game uses a different payment method (e.g., direct carrier billing), the limit may not apply. Always set authentication to “All purchases” as well.
  • Thinking that disabling in-app purchases in Screen Time also blocks the game from running. It only blocks purchases, not the app itself.
  • Using a shared Apple ID or Google account. If you share an account with family, your spending limits affect everyone. Use separate accounts if possible.
  • Not checking for game-specific spending controls. Some games have their own parental controls or spending caps. Check the game’s settings menu thoroughly before relying solely on OS-level controls.

Tips

  • Use a gift card or prepaid card. Instead of linking a credit card, load a fixed amount onto a prepaid card or use a gift card for purchases. Once the balance is gone, you can’t spend more.
  • Set a monthly budget and stick to it. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on Monster Hunter Outlanders each month, and set that as your Google Play budget if you’re on Android.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID or Google account. This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for someone else to change your purchase settings.
  • Check your purchase history regularly. Both Apple and Google let you view recent purchases. Reviewing this monthly can help you spot any unauthorized charges early.
  • If you’re a parent, talk to your child about in-app purchases. Explain why you’ve set limits and encourage them to ask before buying anything.

Troubleshooting

  • In-app purchases still go through after disabling them on iOS. Make sure you’ve actually selected “Don’t Allow” and not just “Ask Before Buying.” Also, check that you’re in the correct Screen Time profile (if you have multiple). Restart the game after changing the setting.
  • Google Play budget doesn’t seem to work. The budget only applies to purchases made through Google Play billing. If the game uses a different payment method (like carrier billing or a third-party payment system), the budget won’t apply. Use authentication for all purchases as a fallback.
  • You forgot your Screen Time passcode. Go to Settings > Screen Time > “Forgot Passcode?” and follow the prompts. You’ll need to verify your Apple ID password. If that fails, you may need to erase your device and restore from backup (which resets Screen Time).
  • You forgot your Google Play PIN. In the Play Store, go to Settings > Family > Parental controls, tap “Forgot PIN?” and sign in with your Google account to reset it.
  • The game’s own spending limit isn’t working. Some games have bugs with their spending caps. If that happens, rely on the OS-level controls (Screen Time or Google Play authentication) instead. Also, make sure the game is updated to the latest version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable in-app purchases only for Monster Hunter Outlanders, not all apps?

On iOS, Screen Time restrictions apply to all apps. There’s no per-app toggle for in-app purchases. On Android, you can set a per-app restriction by using “Apps & games” in parental controls, but that blocks the app entirely. The best way to limit only one game is to use the game’s own spending controls if available.

Will disabling in-app purchases affect my ability to play the game?

No. You can still play the game fully; you just won’t be able to buy gems, items, or passes with real money. Any free content or items earned through gameplay remain accessible.

Can I set a daily spending limit instead of a monthly one?

Google Play only offers monthly budgets. On iOS, there’s no spending limit feature at all—you can only block purchases entirely or require approval. For daily limits, you’d need to manually track your spending or use a third-party parental control app.

What happens if I hit my Google Play budget mid-purchase?

Google will block the purchase and show a message that you’ve reached your budget. The transaction won’t go through, and you’ll need to wait until the next month to make more purchases (unless you change the budget).

Can I get a refund for accidental in-app purchases?

Yes, both Apple and Google offer refund processes. On iOS, go to reportaproblem.apple.com. On Android, go to Google Play > Help > Report an issue. Refunds are not guaranteed, but accidental purchases by children are often approved if you act quickly.

Does turning off in-app purchases on iOS also block free downloads?

No, it only blocks purchases. Free app downloads and free in-app content are still allowed.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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