iPadOS requires password for free apps, can't disable "Always Require Password"

This does seem to be a widespread problem, but here are some additional steps that helped me to resolve it:

* For the unavailable “Require Password” buttons/checks, try first going into Settings\Accessibility and turning on Large Fonts with a big font choice (right side of slider). Go back to “Media and Purchases” and when you open the Password pop-up, you should be able to see the buttons/checks. Once the settings are corrected, you can return to Accessibility and change the fonts back to your typical settings.

* If the password is always required for free updates even with the setting off, and you have Screen Time restrictions enabled, temporarily also set the Content Restrictions for Apps to allow all apps (e.g. no specific age maximum). On my device (Air 4, iPadOS 14.4), a password is always required for every app download regardless of any other settings if the app age limits are anything other than allow all (I usually have set to 12+).

Hope these options are helpful for others with the same issues!

If you had the same problem i had, the solution below may be for you. I have multiple iPhones and iPads within the family and only the iPads had a problem with turning off the "Require Password" under the "Free Downloads" section of "Media & Purchases". Doing a few (maybe all) of these combinations should solve the issue for you.

I am currently on iPadOS 14.3

• Turn off screen time (Under "Settings" / "Screen Time")
• Turn off "iTunes & App Store" for Touch ID or Face ID (under "Settings" / "Touch ID & Passcode" or "Face ID & Passcode"
• Under Apple ID section, click on Media & Purchases / Password Settings. If the section doesnt look greyed out, click on "Always Require Password". If it prompts you to enter your Apple ID password, do it. Wait a few seconds and look to see if you see a little white oval to the right side of "Require Password" under "Free Downloads" (See picture below). If you see it, tap it to turn it green (on), and tap it again to turn it off. If you dont see it, try to enable Touch ID/Face ID on "iTunes & App Store" and try it again.

I guess theres a bug on iPadOS that doesnt put the checkbox and option in a good viewing spot. It gets pushed out of viewing where the iPhones wont have the issue.

Hopefully that helps.

I think I solved the problem.. Apple, in its 'infinite wisdom' has turned off the feature to anything by "immediate" if you have the TouchID option activated in iPadOS 14. If you turn it off and only use a passcode, all of the prior options (immediately, every hour, every 4 hours, etc.) come back and let you choose. Turn TouchID back on, and only "immediately" is the only option. I talked to an Apple Support Tech and that's what he told me. I tried it out a few times and that is indeed what happens. No idea why Apple things entering a passcode every 4 hrs is more secure than using your fingerprint every 4 hours.. a fingerprint is more secure and not easy copied than someone stealing your passcode over your shoulder. Go figure.. Hopefully Apple will figure this out and make these settings work for TouchID, too.

FYI - I have spoken to Apple Support about this and finally got someone to listen and acknowledge that it IS a bug. They have passed all of this information on to the engineers and hopefully this may be fixed in the next IOS release...or two...or three! Thanks, again!

If I am understanding you correctly, the system doesn't offer what you wish to do.

ASC - Late 2012 Mac mini, macOS 10.15.7; Watch, series 5 GPS/cellular, watchOS 7.1; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 14.2; iPad Air 2, iPadOS 14.2; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 14.2; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 14.2  HomePods, audioOS 14.2 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

I have a similar problem. I just bought an iPad Air 4 (2020). It’s running iPadOS 14.2. But it won’t let me check any of the options under “Media & Purchases” -> “Password settings”. Right now none of the options are checked, but I can’t change that. It just doesn’t react, or it asks for my password and then nothing happens. Now I have to enter my password for every app in the App Store, even the free ones.

I can use Touch ID, but that’s not what I want. I want to have to enter my password for paid apps and just nothing for free apps.

I think you've hit the nail on the head! When I tap "always require password" it reacts and I'm sure on the far right of the screen (which we can't see!) it's putting a check mark. Because the free downloads option is a "toggle" switch, we can't just touch the area - we have to be on the toggle (which we can't see). The only problem is that I have tried your suggestions in no particular order and no restarting, and I can't see even the tiniest bit of the toggle switch. I've tried rotating the ipad from landscape to portrait - no luck. I have an ipad 7. I wish I could see even the tiniest bit of the toggle switch!

I am facing the same issue on my Ipad Air 4 which under 14.2. No option to disable under "require password" for free download in Apple ID section. I think have to live with it.

Yes, I have exactly the same screen. And it doesn’t work.

I am guessing it is a bug in iPadOS 14.x.

If it was in iPadOS, why isn't universal? I have 2 iPads, neither has the issue.

Exact same issue, with iPados 14.3 and ipad 8.

Thank you! Your solution worked! Once I enlarged the text, I toggled off then on (had to sign in ) and then off again (sign in again). I was then able to download a free app without a sign.

Interestingly, that worked. When I change the font back to normal, those password settings disappear again, though.

This helped!!! Thanks!!!!