Disabling Passcode and Touch ID on ipad

iHope wrote:

My last questions are:

• Is it possible to use the iPad without enabling a Passcode?

Yes, but you will lose significant functionality - such as not being able to store or access saved password and account credentials associated with your Keychain.

If not, what's the point of Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Turn Passcode Off ?

The option to turn-off the Passcode exists in settings - should you choose to do so.

Is it possible to delete Touch ID and then turn the Postcode off?

Yes. TouchID is simply disabled by removing all registered fingerprints from TouchID settings.

Much of your iPad’s advanced functionality simply won’t work unless a Passcode is set - such as TouchID/FaceID and Keychain stored passwords. Due to the loss of functionality, you might not wish to delete/disable the iPad Passcode.

TouchID is entirely optional - and simply provides a quick-and-easy method to authenticate without entering the Passcode. If you don't want to use it, don't set it, or delete any existing registered fingerprints.

Should you choose to do so - and while not necessarily recommended - at your own risk you can disable the iPad's Auto Lock function from iPad settings. With this setting disabled, you will see far fewer prompts to unlock your iPad with a Passcode:

Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock - set to Never

Remember, if you don't lock the iPad, anyone with physical access to it will be able to access personal and sensitive information that you stored on your iPad.

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.

You cannot use TouchID in isolation of the Passcode. Setting a Passcode enables the iPad security-chip (the Secure Enclave) within which your fingerprint data and other encryption keys are stored. Entering the Passcode unlocks the security chip, allowing cryptographic functions to operate.

As already outlined in the italicised text above, you will always be prompted for the Passcode in specific circumstances.

Unless you intend to set-aside your iPad for several days, unused, shutting down your iPad is generally counterproductive. While idle and locked, your iPad will be performing background housekeeping tasks, such as retrieving email and synchronising with iCloud; while charging and locked, the iPad will also be updating its iCloud backup of your iPad data.

You're very welcome.