Touch ID is the electronic fingerprint recognition feature introduced by Apple. It enables users to unlock their devices, make purchases, and authenticate apps without having to enter passcodes repeatedly. Recently, some people complained that they encountered a message stating Your Password Is Required to Enable Touch ID. This article intends to explain this problem and tell you what you should do when the problem occurs on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Part 1: When Your Password Is Required to Enable Touch ID

Currently, there are three generations of Touch ID sensors. They are built into the Home or Top button on your device. Before we walk through the troubleshooting, let’s talk about what devices are equipped with Touch ID:

iPhone 5s to 8/8 Plus including iPhone SE(1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations)

iPad Pro 12.9-inch released in 2015 and 9.7-inch released in 2016

iPad Pro(2nd generation)

iPad Air 2 and 6

iPad mini 3 to 7

iPad 5th to 11th generation

MacBook Pro/Air was released in 2016 and later

iMac(24-inch, M1, 2021)/(24-inch, M3, 2023)

While Touch ID is convenient, it is not always available to unlock your device. In other words, in some cases, your password is required to enable Touch ID and unlock your device, such as:

1. After you restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

2. More than 48 hours have passed since the last time you unlocked your device.

3. When adding or deleting a fingerprint to use with Touch ID.

4. When changing your lock screen password or other security settings.

5. After five failed Touch ID attempts in a row.

6. After you log out of your Mac.

7. Update software.

8. Factory reset your device.

9. Your device is locked remotely.

Part 2: What to Do If Touch ID Requires Passcode

Solution 1: Unlock Your Device with the Password

As the message says, your password is required to enable Touch ID. You can unlock your device by entering your login password or passcode. That is the easiest solution to make your Touch ID work again.

Solution 2: Enable Use Touch ID to Unlock Your Device

On an iPhone/iPad

Step 1. Open Settings if Touch ID requires a passcode when iPad restarts.

Step 2. Go to Touch ID & Passcode.

Step 3. Make sure to toggle on iPad Unlock.

On a Mac

Step 1. Go to the Apple menu.

Step 2. Choose System Settings or System Preferences.

Step 3. Click the Touch ID & Password tab.

Step 4. Toggle on Use Touch ID to unlock your Mac.

Solution 3: Disable Log out Automatically After Inactivity

Step 1. Choose System Settings or System Preferences in your Apple menu on Mac.

Step 2. Go to Privacy & Security.

Step 3. Scroll down and click Advanced.

Step 4. Toggle off the Log out automatically after inactivity option.

Part 3: How to Remove Touch ID and Passcode from iPhone/iPad

If the message says your passcode is required to enable Touch ID keeps popping up, Apeaksoft iOS Unlocker can help you solve this problem. It can wipe the Touch IDs and passcodes saved on your iPhone or iPad. Then, you can set up a new one.

How to Remove Touch ID and Passcode from Your iPhone/iPad

Step 1. Install the Touch ID removal tool

Launch the best Touch ID removal tool after installing it on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Connect your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning cable. Choose the Wipe Passcode mode and click the Start button.

Step 2. Check your device information

Once your device information is loaded, check each item. If any item is wrong, correct it manually. Then, click the Start button to download the firmware.

Step 3. Remove Touch IDs

When firmware downloading is complete, enter 0000 and click the Unlock button to begin removing your Touch IDs and digit passcode on your iPhone or iPad immediately. Then, the message that your passcode is required to enable Touch ID should disappear.

Related Articles