How to Avoid Accidental In-App Purchases

A surprise charge can ruin the fun. This guide shows you the simple steps to secure your device and prevent unwanted purchases for good.

In-app purchases can be a great way to get a boost in Travel Town, but it's crucial that every purchase is one you intended to make. An accidental tap by you or an unauthorized purchase by a child who has your phone can lead to stress and frustration. As we've covered in our guide on what to do when someone else makes a purchase, getting a refund is possible but requires going through Apple or Google.

The best strategy is prevention. By taking a few minutes to adjust your device's settings, you can completely eliminate the risk of accidental charges and enjoy your game with total peace of mind. This guide will show you how.

The Best Defense: Require a Password for Every Purchase

The single most effective way to prevent unwanted charges is to require authentication for every single purchase. This means that before any money is spent, your device will ask for your password, fingerprint (Touch ID), or facial scan (Face ID). This simple barrier makes it impossible for an accidental tap or an unauthorized user to complete a transaction.

Setting this up is easy and is done in your device's main settings, not within the Travel Town app itself.

How to Set Up Purchase Authentication on Apple (iOS)

Apple gives you granular control over when a password is required. You can choose to require it for every purchase or after a 15-minute window.

1. Go to your device's Settings app.
2. Tap on your name at the top.
3. Tap on Media & Purchases.
4. Select Password Settings from the pop-up menu.
5. Under "Purchases and In-App Purchases," select the option "Always Require Password." You can also enable or disable the use of Face ID or Touch ID here.

For more detailed instructions, you can visit Apple's official guide: Prevent in-app purchases from the App Store.

How to Set Up Purchase Authentication on Android (Google Play)

Google Play also makes it simple to lock down your purchasing ability.

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Go to Settings, then tap on Authentication.
4. Tap on "Require authentication for purchases."
5. Choose the option "For all purchases through Google Play on this device." You will then be prompted to enter your Google password to confirm the setting.

For more details, you can read Google's official instructions: Require a password or authentication for purchases.

An Extra Layer of Security: Parental Controls

If children frequently use your device, you might want to go a step further and use Parental Controls. These powerful features allow you to not only require a password but also to completely block in-app purchases altogether. You can set up content restrictions, screen time limits, and much more.

Both Apple's "Screen Time" and Google's "Family Link" offer robust parental control settings that are worth exploring if you share your device with your family.

By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that you are the only one in control of making purchases, allowing you to relax and focus on your journey through Travel Town without any financial worries.