Apple Arcade could use an ‘always allow’ feature that’s separate from App Store

I love Apple Arcade. The game catalog really clicks with my son, and a single subscription unlocks hundreds of premium games. The best part is that the games have no ads or in-app purchases.

This makes for a much better gaming experience on his iPad. There’s just one feature I’d love to see Apple add.

Spring break is here, and my kid has just one question: “May I download this Apple Arcade game?” The only problem is he has that one question a lot.

I’m generally in favor of him downloading and trying a bunch of Apple Arcade games and discovering which ones he likes.

If Apple offered it, I think I’d even be OK with allowing him to download any Apple Arcade title without asking for approval. If a game passes Apple’s threshold for being in Arcade, it’s usually a good fit for him (with a few exceptions).

That’s not the case with the App Store.

Apple’s Ask to Buy feature is an essential part of Family Sharing and managing App Store usage with kids. It lets you or another guardian review and approve or decline requests to download apps and make in-app purchases.

What I’d like to see is Ask to Buy for the App Store without requiring Ask to Buy for Apple Arcade. Until that’s possible, I’ll happily approve each Apple Arcade game — one request at a time.

Apple Arcade is available, ad-free and with no in-app purchases, for $6.99/month after a one-month free trial.

A single subscription unlocks access for up to five users through Family Sharing on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

Apple Arcade is also included in every Apple One bundle subscription.