Turn Off Double Click to Install Apps on iPhone or iPad

This guide shows you how to disable the double-click side button requirement for installing apps on your iPhone or iPad. When enabled, this setting forces you to press the side or home button twice to confirm every app download, which can feel tedious. Turning it off makes new app installations start immediately after you tap Get or Install, with no extra confirmation step.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later (the setting exists on all recent versions)
Your device passcode or Face ID/Touch ID access (required to change this setting)
If you use Screen Time, you may need the Screen Time passcode to change this setting

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. It’s the gray gear icon on your home screen.
Scroll down and tap “Screen Time.” This is usually in the third group of settings, below “Focus” and above “General.”
Tap “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” If you haven’t enabled this before, you’ll see it in the second section of the Screen Time menu. If you have it turned off, you’ll need to toggle it on first—but you can turn it off again after changing the setting.
Enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted. If you never set one, you may be asked to create one now. If you don’t want a passcode, you can skip this step, but Apple requires one to prevent others from changing these restrictions.
Tap “iTunes & App Store Purchases.” This is in the “Allowed Apps” section of the Content & Privacy Restrictions menu.
Look for the “In-app Purchases” row and tap it. Wait—this is the wrong row. Scroll down to find “Installing Apps” and tap it. You’ll see three options: Allow, Don’t Allow, and Ask.
Select “Allow.” This is the key step. When “Allow” is selected, your device will not ask for the double-click confirmation when you install apps. The double-click requirement appears when this is set to “Ask” (which is the default for many users).
Exit Settings. The change takes effect immediately. You don’t need to restart your device.

That’s it. Now when you download an app from the App Store, it will start installing right away—no double-click needed. If you ever want to re-enable the double-click confirmation, follow the same steps and choose “Ask” instead of “Allow.”

Common Mistakes

Looking in the wrong place: Many users search for this setting in “Face ID & Passcode” or “General > Restrictions.” It’s not there. It lives exclusively under Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Turning off Content & Privacy Restrictions entirely: Some people toggle off the whole Content & Privacy Restrictions switch, which does disable the double-click but also disables all other restrictions (like explicit content filtering or privacy settings). That’s a blunt approach. Instead, leave the master switch on and just change the “Installing Apps” option to “Allow.”
Confusing “Installing Apps” with “Deleting Apps”: The same menu has an option for “Deleting Apps.” If you set that to “Don’t Allow,” you won’t be able to delete apps at all. Make sure you’re changing the “Installing Apps” row, not the “Deleting Apps” row.
Forgetting the Screen Time passcode: If you set a Screen Time passcode long ago and forgot it, you can’t change this setting without resetting the passcode (which requires your Apple ID password). Keep that passcode in a safe place.

Tips

Use “Ask” if you share your device: If your kids or family members use your iPhone or iPad, keeping the double-click confirmation is a good safety measure. It prevents accidental or unauthorized app installs.
This also affects updates: The “Installing Apps” setting applies to app updates too. If you set it to “Allow,” apps will update automatically without asking. If you prefer to review updates first, keep it on “Ask” and you’ll get a prompt before each update installs.
Free vs. paid apps: This setting applies to both free and paid app downloads. For paid apps, you’ll still need to confirm your purchase with Face ID, Touch ID, or your password—the double-click is only about the download confirmation, not the payment.
Check your Face ID settings: If you have Face ID enabled for iTunes & App Store purchases, you’ll still need to double-click the side button to authenticate a purchase. This setting is separate from the one you just changed. To disable that, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > iTunes & App Store, and toggle it off.

Troubleshooting

I changed the setting but still get the double-click prompt.

First, double-check that you selected “Allow” and not “Ask.” If you did, try toggling Content & Privacy Restrictions off and on again. Then go back into iTunes & App Store Purchases and confirm the setting stuck. If it still doesn’t work, restart your device—a simple reboot often clears lingering settings glitches.

I don’t see the “iTunes & App Store Purchases” option.

This only appears when Content & Privacy Restrictions is turned on. If you don’t see it, go back to the main Screen Time menu and toggle on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.” Then return to the menu—the option should now be visible.

I forgot my Screen Time passcode.

You can reset it using your Apple ID password. Go to Settings > Screen Time > “Forgot Passcode?” and follow the prompts. You’ll need to enter your Apple ID credentials. If you don’t have those, you’ll need to erase your device and restore from a backup—a drastic step, so try to remember the passcode first.

The setting is grayed out and I can’t tap it.

This usually means your device is managed by an organization (like a school or employer) with a configuration profile. Check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If there’s a profile installed, you may not be able to change this setting. Contact your administrator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this disable the double-click for anything else?

No, this setting only affects app installs and updates. The double-click side button for Apple Pay, Face ID authentication, and other system functions remains unchanged.

Does this work on older iOS versions?

Yes, the setting has existed since iOS 12. On iOS 12 and 13, it’s under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases, just like on newer versions.

Can I set this to “Don’t Allow” instead of “Allow”?

Yes, but “Don’t Allow” completely blocks app installs—you won’t be able to download anything from the App Store at all. That’s a parental control feature, not what you want if you’re trying to remove the double-click. Use “Allow” to remove the confirmation.

Why was the double-click added in the first place?

Apple introduced it to prevent accidental installs and to give parents a way to control what gets downloaded. It’s a safety feature, but many users find it unnecessary for their own devices.

Will this affect my ability to use the App Store on my Mac?

No, this is a per-device setting. Your Mac has its own separate App Store preferences, which you can adjust in the Mac App Store’s Settings.

If I set it to “Allow,” can I still get a confirmation for paid apps?

Yes. The “Installing Apps” setting only controls the download confirmation. For paid apps, you’ll still need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password to complete the purchase.

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

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