Learn how to remove all passwords and security checkpoints from your iPad or iPhone, making it easy to unlock and use as a simple tablet or phone.
I recently came across an Apple Community post where the father of an autistic son was frustrated because the iPad his son uses to speak to them has a passcode. Many people who suffer from medical conditions, forgetful memory, or old age are reluctant to set up Lock Screen passcodes, App Store passwords, and other security features on their devices.
And if you use a secondary device for testing purposes, you may also want to get rid of these password prompts. Don’t worry; we’ll show you the steps to turn off all passcode and password prompts on your iPhone and iPad.
A word of caution: Removing your passcode eliminates many security measures on your iPhone or iPad and will expose your data to anyone in physical possession of the device.
Turn off passcode on iPhone or iPad
iOS always requires passcode after a restart to unlock the phone and access your data, but you can turn it off in the Face ID and passcode settings by following the steps below.
1) Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2) Depending on your device model, tap Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, then type your current passcode to go in.
3) Make sure Stolen Device Protection is off. Then, tap Reset Face ID or Touch ID.
4) Tap Turn Passcode Off and confirm by choosing Turn Off.
5) Enter the Apple Account password, if asked, and hit Turn Off.
6) Type in your current device passcode again, if asked.
7) If you use iCloud Keychain or the Apple Passwords app to store login passwords for websites and apps, you’ll be prompted to either remove them from the device because it’s no longer secure or keep using them, so pick an appropriate option here.
With your iPhone or iPad passcode successfully removed, anyone can now unlock the device without knowing your passcode or authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID. Turning off your passcode also removes app locks, hidden apps, and Apple Pay cards and car keys from the Wallet app. Moreover, you will no longer be able to reset your forgotten Apple ID password using this device.
Tip: If device auto-locking is what’s bothering you, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to Never instead of removing the passcode altogether.
Remove Screen Time password
Turning off the iPhone or iPad passcode doesn’t disable your Screen Time passcode. For unrestricted access to everything on this device, consider removing the Screen Time passcode.
1) Launch the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
2) Tap Change Screen Time Passcode. If a passcode isn’t already set, it will say “Lock Screen Time Settings.”
3) Select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
4) Confirm by entering your current Screen Time passcode.
Download apps without password or biometric authentication
Nobody likes entering their long Apple Account password just to download a free app from the App Store. But worry not, friends, and follow these quick steps to ensure you can download free apps without authentication.
1) Open the Settings app and hit your Apple Account tile from the top.
2) Choose Media & Purchases, followed by Password Settings. Enter your Apple Account password if asked.
3) Turn off the Require Password toggle under the Free Downloads headings and hit Done.
4) Switch to the App Store and tap the Get button next to an app (don’t hit the download arrow or price button). If you’re asked to enter your Apple Account password, do it now to authenticate. After this, you may see a popup offering to save your Apple Account password for free items. Tap Save, and App Store will no longer ask for your Apple Account password for free downloads.
Note that even if you don’t see the “Save password for Free Items?” alert, you shouldn’t be asked to type the long Apple Account password for free apps, provided you followed the first three steps above and have turned off Screen Time restrictions.
Disable third-party app locks
Some apps like Dropbox have their own password mechanism separate from your device passcode. Dig around in-app settings to turn off the password lock. For your security, many banking and payment apps won’t let you turn off the passcode lock.
Delete profile locks in streaming apps
Most streaming services like Netflix enable you to create multiple profiles and set a PIN. If you’ve already done that, disable the login PIN in the in-app settings.
Remove document passwords, if any
If important PDFs, Office files, and other documents are password-protected, use a Mac to remove the document passcode, then AirDrop it to your iPhone or iPad.
Turn off SIM PIN
If there is a PIN on your physical SIM or eSIM, you must enter it upon each restart to use cellular features. You can remove the SIM PIN in the Settings app.
If your passcode automatically turns back on
An Apple Communities thread reads:
“Every time Apple changes/updates anything on it, it turns every password on, and it is a fight to remove them pin, passcode, etc. Is there a way to remove all security from the iPad so that it can be used as a simple tablet? Never have it update or be messed with by iCloud/Apple again?”
It’s virtually impossible for your iPhone or iPad passcode to automatically turn back on following a software update. However, the operating system may ask that you re-authenticate your Apple Account password in the Settings app or App Store following a major software update. If you cannot be bothered by such prompts, turn off automatic iOS updates or sign out of your Apple Account. Keep in mind that signing out of your Apple Account will prevent you from downloading apps, backing up data to iCloud, syncing content across other devices, and more.
Also, check out: 15 built-in wellness features to keep track of your health on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch