Adding or Transferring Custom Amounts to Child

alstew68 · Mar 9, 2025

When will Microsoft allow custom amounts to be added to child accounts in Microsoft Family, or allow transfers (of custom amounts) from the parent’s account?

Like most parents (even parents who work for Microsoft, I assume), my kids have an allowance that I keep, and they request when they want to spend money. If my child requests to purchase a game for $15.99, my only option — in 2025?!?! — is to add $25 to their Microsoft account!? I don’t mind if Microsoft wants to scam me to spend more than my immediate need, but for goodness sakes, let me put it in my account and transfer the amount they need!!

I apologize if there is a way to do this that I haven’t discovered. I tried searching online and in answers.microsoft.com, and I only find parents asking similar questions with someone from MS responding that it isn’t possible. Considering I have seen posts as old as 2018, it is inconceivable if MS hasn’t fixed this.

Please help.

:)

Janet_C

Hello!

Hope you are well. I'll be glad to assist you.

I'm sorry you're experiencing these issues.

I understand how frustrating this can be and it's certainly a great idea to be able to add custom balances, the ideal place to send this feedback is through the feedback site that Microsoft makes available to users to hear their ideas, which is the following

feedback.xbox.com

If you want to be paid the exact amount that a game or product costs, you have the option to configure the child's account with the option "Require approval for all purchases", this way the purchase request is sent to your account and you can pay for it, this avoids the problem of pre-established amounts and ensures that only the exact value is charged.

I hope the information has been clear, I will be attentive to any questions you may have.

Best Regards.

ArminatorX

Is it possible that the amount of money you added to your child's account isn't enough for the game PLUS TAXES?

If you're from the US, the prices shown for games are without sales tax. And if the game plus tax is higher than the amount your child has on their account, it might ask you to pay for the game.

SpyShadow

I believe this is becoming a trend problem, several folks recently have said the same thing, I believe there might be an issue with transferring a child's account to an adult account right now. i would suggest you talk to a customer support person from Microsoft
and explain this issue, I am sure they are aware of it all ready because of the amount of complaints we are all receiving

onyxishere

In the Xbox Rewards program, 5,000 credits equals $5 and would be added to your account around the middle or end of the month after that amount is reached.

The amount is transferred to your account as currency but cannot be used to purchase Live memberships.

wi7bit

Have you tried adding funds to your child account?

The smallest amount you can add is £10 and details can be found here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/4027024/microsoft-account-add-money-to-your-childs-account

Adding or Transferring Custom Amounts to Child