Stop App Store Password Prompts on iPad

This guide shows you how to stop the App Store from asking for your Apple ID password every time you download or update an app on your iPad. You’ll adjust a few settings in the App Store and Face ID/Touch ID menus, and after that, most downloads and updates will proceed without a password prompt.

What You’ll Need

Your iPad with the latest version of iPadOS (the steps are the same on iPadOS 15 through 17).
Your Apple ID password (you will need it once to confirm changes).
If you have Face ID or Touch ID enabled, you can use that instead of typing your password.

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app on your iPad. It’s the gray gear icon on your home screen.
Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu. This takes you to your Apple ID settings.
Tap “Media & Purchases”. It’s usually the second option, below your name and photo. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password or use Face ID/Touch ID to proceed.
Tap “Password Settings” (or “Purchase Settings” on some versions). This is where you control when a password is required.
Turn off “Require Password” for Free Downloads. Look for the toggle next to “Free Downloads” or “Free Download”. When this is off, free apps, updates, and in-app purchases that are free will download without asking for a password.
Set “Require Password” for Purchases to “Always” or “After 15 Minutes”. For paid apps, you can choose to always require a password or only after 15 minutes. If you pick “After 15 Minutes”, you’ll only need to enter your password once every 15 minutes for paid purchases. This doesn’t affect free downloads.
Go back to Settings and tap “Face ID & Passcode” (or “Touch ID & Passcode” on older iPads). Enter your passcode when prompted.
Turn off “iTunes & App Store” under “Use Face ID For” (or “Use Touch ID For”). This stops Face ID/Touch ID from being used to approve App Store purchases. If you leave this on, it may still ask for your face or finger even when the password requirement is off.
Test it. Open the App Store, find a free app you don’t have, and tap “Get”. It should download immediately without a password prompt. If it still asks, you may have an unpaid balance or a previous purchase pending—see Troubleshooting below.

Common Mistakes

Turning off the wrong toggle: The “Require Password” toggle for Free Downloads is separate from the one for Purchases. Make sure you’re on the Free Downloads one.
Leaving Face ID/Touch ID on: Even with the password requirement off, Face ID or Touch ID can still trigger a prompt. Disable it in the Face ID/Touch ID settings as described.
Not updating iPadOS: Older versions may have different menu names. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to make sure you’re on the latest version.
Confusing “Free Downloads” with “Updates”: App updates are considered free downloads, so the same toggle covers them. There is no separate update toggle.

Tips

Use “Ask to Buy” for family accounts: If you’re a parent, you can keep password prompts for your child’s purchases while allowing free downloads. In Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, you can set “Ask to Buy” for your child’s account.
Remember your password anyway: You’ll still need it when you make a paid purchase, update payment info, or download a previously purchased item that requires verification. Keep it somewhere safe.
Restart your iPad after changing settings. This clears any cached prompts and ensures the new settings apply.
Check for pending downloads: If you have a download stuck in “Waiting”, it might be waiting for a password. Go to the App Store, tap your profile icon, and check the “Purchased” or “Updates” section.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed all the steps and the App Store still asks for a password, try these in order:

Restart your iPad: Hold the power button and either volume button, then slide to power off. Turn it back on and test again.
Sign out and back into the App Store: Go to Settings > App Store, tap your Apple ID at the top, and choose “Sign Out”. Then sign back in with your Apple ID. This refreshes your account settings.
Check your payment method: If you have an unpaid balance or an expired card, the App Store may require a password to verify payment even for free apps. Go to Settings > your name > Payment & Shipping and make sure your payment method is valid or remove it if you only use free apps.
Reset all settings: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t erase your data, but it will reset Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other preferences. You’ll need to re-enter your passcode and Face ID/Touch ID.
Contact Apple Support: If none of the above works, there may be an account issue. Visit Apple’s support website and chat with a representative. They can check if your account has any restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPad still ask for a password when I download free apps?

Most likely the “Require Password” toggle for Free Downloads is still on. Go to Settings > your name > Media & Purchases > Password Settings and turn it off. Also check that Face ID/Touch ID is off for the App Store.

Will this stop password prompts for app updates?

Yes. App updates are free downloads, so turning off the Free Downloads password requirement will let updates install automatically without a prompt.

Can I still buy apps without a password?

No. For paid apps, you’ll always need a password or Face ID/Touch ID. You can set it to “After 15 Minutes” to reduce how often you’re asked, but you can’t disable it entirely for paid purchases.

I turned off the password, but it still asks for my Apple ID password when I download a free app I’ve downloaded before.

This can happen if the app is actually a paid app that you purchased previously, or if the App Store needs to verify your account. Try signing out of the App Store and signing back in, then test again.

Does this affect in-app purchases?

Yes. Free in-app purchases will no longer require a password, but paid in-app purchases will still require one. If you want to block all in-app purchases, you need to set up Screen Time restrictions.

Will this stop the “Sign in to iTunes Store” popup?

No. That popup appears when an app tries to access your Apple ID for a different reason, like restoring a purchase or using iCloud features. It’s separate from download password prompts.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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