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To control a child’s Xbox spending, add money to the child’s Microsoft account to create a balance-based allowance, and enable Require approval for every purchase to approve credit-card purchases. You can also enable Ask a parent in the child’s Xbox purchase privacy settings. These controls are managed by a parent or family organizer for a child in a Microsoft family group.
Choose the control that matches how the child pays
| Control | What it does | Where to set it |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft account balance | Limits the child to the funds added to the account; Microsoft says the account cannot be overdrawn. | Family Safety Spending page. Microsoft’s spending-limits instructions |
| Credit-card approval | Requires organizer approval for each purchase made using a credit card. | Family Safety > child profile > Manage spending. Microsoft’s spending-limits instructions |
| Ask a parent | Provides a console setting to require parent approval for purchases. | Xbox child privacy settings > Buy & download. Microsoft’s Xbox approval instructions |
A balance allowance and a card are different funding methods: adding account funds does not set a separate arbitrary dollar ceiling for a linked card. Set up the method you intend the child to use, and turn on the relevant approval controls as needed.
Set a balance-based spending limit
This approach gives the child a finite amount of Microsoft account credit for eligible Microsoft Store or Xbox Store purchases. The organizer funds the account; it is not a recurring spending cap or a separate ceiling unrelated to the available balance.
- As the family organizer, sign in to account.microsoft.com/family or open Microsoft Family Safety.
- Select the child’s profile. If there is no balance, select Add money. If the child already has funds, select Manage spending.
- Choose Add money, select an amount, and complete the payment using one of the listed methods. The funds can be used for eligible Microsoft or Xbox Store purchases. See Microsoft’s instructions for adding money.
- On the Spending page, enable Get notified about every purchase and Activity reporting if you want purchase alerts and balance activity.
Require approval for credit-card purchases
If a credit card is added to the child’s account, use the separate approval toggle rather than treating the account balance as a card limit.
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- Sign out of the child account.
- Open Family Safety using the organizer’s Microsoft account, then select the child’s profile.
- Open Manage spending and switch on Require approval for every purchase.
Microsoft describes this setting as applying to credit-card purchases. For the official steps, see Set spending limits in Microsoft Family Safety.
Enable Ask a parent on the Xbox console
An organizer can also switch on the child’s purchase-approval setting directly from an Xbox console:
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- Sign in to the Xbox with the organizer’s Microsoft account.
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Family settings.
- Select Manage family members, then choose the child.
- Open Privacy & online safety > Xbox Live privacy > View details & customize > Buy & download.
- Set Ask a parent to On. Microsoft also says Child defaults or Teen defaults can enable this from the Xbox Live privacy screen.
See Microsoft’s Xbox purchase-approval instructions for the console path.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Review purchase requests and spending activity
When purchase approval is active, Microsoft says the organizer receives a notification when a child requests a game, app, or in-game purchase for which the child lacks funds. Requests can appear as phone notifications and in the Family Safety notification feed. To inspect transactions and balance activity, open the child’s Spending activity in Family Safety. The Xbox Family Settings app also provides family-management features.
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