New Xbox Family Settings Update Gives Parents More Control Over Their Children's Spending
The days of surprise Xbox purchases draining your bank account are over!
Microsoft has updated its Xbox Family Settings smartphone app in a huge way, giving parents complete control over the finances of their children's Microsoft accounts.
The update adds multiple features focused directly on money coming in and going out of connected accounts. The first is the ability to add funds and approve purchases directly from the app, removing the need for the parent to be at the console with the child at the time of purchase. Both the child's account balance and spending history are listed right on the app with this update, allowing parents to see how much money is left to use in the Xbox Store.
The second new feature is an "Ask to Buy" functionality that parents can activate at any time. This feature sends a notification to the Family Settings App whenever a child wants to make a purchase that exceeds the remaining balance in the account. A parent can then approve the purchase and add the necessary funds or deny the purchase with a single tap.
The Xbox Family Settings App has proven to be an invaluable tool for helping parents monitor their children's playing time, including the ability to pause screen time as needed. The Xbox Family Setting App is now available on both iOS and Android devices.
Jason Fanelli is a freelance games journalist hailing from Philadelphia, PA, USA. He is also the host of Cheesesteaks and Controllers, an esports and video game-themed radio show for Fox Sports Radio Philadelphia.
