Fingerprint unlock is not working for locked notes on iPad

My iPad is three months old. I have a few notes that I used the lock feature and used fingerprint option to open. Suddenly the fingerprint option doesn’t work. It keeps asking for password which I do not have. Not really sure what password it is asking for.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Locked notes

iPad Air, iPadOS 26

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 2:47 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 2:58 PM

Your iPad is likely prompting for your Passcode.


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.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 4, 2025 2:58 PM in response to Snoozle1

Your iPad is likely prompting for your Passcode.


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.


Fingerprint unlock is not working for locked notes on iPad

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