All of a sudden, to unlock passwords, I’m required to use Touch ID. I’ve had this iPad Air since 2018, and never used Touch ID. What can I do?
[Edited by Moderator]
Original Title: Requiring Touch ID on passwords with 7 yr. old iPad Air just started; never had to use Touch ID before
iPad Air 3, iPadOS 18
5796redescobrir wrote:
I have never set up Touch ID. Nor did I ever have to use a 6 digit passcode to use my iPad Air 3rd Gen.(2018)
Much of your iPad’s advanced functionality simply won’t work unless a Passcode has been initially set - such as TouchID/FaceID and Keychain stored passwords - and for this reason alone it is certain that a Passcode has been previously set, even if the auto-lock function was subsequently disabled.
As documented by Apple in its Security Guide, for devices with TouchID or FaceID enabled, you device Passcode is reportedly required in the following circumstances…
A passcode or password is also required if the device is in any of the following states:
• The device has just been turned on or restarted
• The user has logged out of their Mac account (or hasn’t yet logged in).
• The user hasn’t unlocked their device for more than 48 hours.
• The user hasn’t used their passcode or password to unlock their device for 156 hours (six and a half days), and the user hasn’t used a biometric to unlock their device in
4 hours.
• The device has received a remote lock command
• The user exited power off / Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 2 seconds and then pressing Cancel.
• There were five unsuccessful biometric match attempts (though for usability, the device might offer entering a passcode or password instead of using biometrics after a smaller number of failures).
When Face ID with a mask is enabled on an iPhone, it’s available for the next 6.5 hours after one of the following user actions:
• Successful Face ID match attempt (with or without a mask)
• Device passcode validation
• Device unlock with Apple Watch
Any of these actions extends the period by an additional 6.5 hours when performed.
Could be an added security requirement in iPadOS 18.
Did you already set up TouchID and try again to use the Passwords app?
I have never set up Touch ID. Nor did I ever have to use a 6 digit passcode to use my iPad Air 3rd Gen.(2018)
It just happened out of the blue and I am unable to set up TouchID as it is not accepting my fingerprint. It will not accept my fingerprint after several attempts. I also have an iPad 5th Gen 2022 where I can access my passcodes easily but I prefer my iPad Air 3rd Gen as it is lighter in weight. I always keep my iPads updated to the latest iPad OS. Thank you for your help but I’m still stuck. Is it time for me to give up my iPad Air 3rd Gen?
Do any other persons have access to this iPad?
I'm afraid, resetting it is the only way to get access again:
If you forgot your iPad passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it - Apple Support
If you did set up a Lock Screen code in the past, try these steps:
Unexpected Touch ID requirement for passwords on 7-year-old iPad Air
