Why can't I turn off the requirement to enter my password when downloading free apps?

This thread has the easiest solution: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252006162

Old_Apple_Fan posted the workaround in the thread. It has to do with default font scaling of the iPad not displaying the options to change the password requirement settings. Strange bug that I'm guessing will be fixed in a future update.

"* 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."

OK - I found a fix. Sort of.

In Media and Purchases / Password settings, I couldn't see any switch next to "Require Password" - the area where it should appear was just blank white space. If you see the same then your iPad has the OS 14.4 password bug. Here's how I fixed it:

* Download several free apps - you'll be prompted for your AppleID password every time. I know - annoying, right?

* After the 2nd or 3rd app you'll be prompted "Do you want your password to be required every time or every 15 minutes" - make your choice - I chose every time - this will work for purchased apps

* Continue downloading free apps - you'll next be prompted "Do you want to remember the password for free apps" - I chose yes

Now go again to Media and Purchases - Password Settings. Notice something different? Look closely...

The switch is there now, or rather a tiny part of it is. But it's just enough to tap on and switch it on and off.

For this issue to be known in 14.2 and still there in 14.3 is disturbing. But for it to be in 14.4 as well?? (all 5 GB of it)

Anyway - I hope some of you find this helpful.

Sorry - the title of the thread is "Why can't I turn off the requirement to enter my password when downloading free apps?" That's what I was writing about. More apologies - I should have clarified that I was setting up a new iPad.

Apple Support had me sign out my Apple ID, restart the iPad and then sign back in again - that may trigger the messages I refer to. I get them every time I setup a new iPad - even with an Apple ID used on a previous iPad or iPhone.

For me the slider option was blank but partially (very partially) became visible only after I was prompted for a) the 15 minute password options and then b) the remembering the free password option. If you don't get prompted for those then it may not appear.

I should also clarify that when I mentioned earlier the issue doesn't affect iPhones, I was repeating what the Apple Support tech had said to me. That made me a little confident to upgrade my iPhone from 14.3 to 14.3 and guess what - it absolutely does also affect iPhones (in my case an iPhone SE 2nd gen).

So standby for 14.5 any day now.

I've seen this in a few forms on iPads all the way through from 14.2 and .3 and now 14.4. It seems to change slightly with every 'update' but is really bad in 14.4. Apple Support had me sign out and sign in and restart etc., then they may or may not have told me that it's a known issue they are working on and are "really close to nailing that issue". I may have been told that if it isn't fixed in the next 'upgrade' following 14.4 then it 'should' be fixed in the 'upgrade' following that.

So, just two more 5 GB updates before this known issue might be fixed :)

I may also have been told that it only affects 'some' iPads (an iPad Pro 4th gen in my case) but it should be OK to upgrade iPhones to 14.4.

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Ok, what is the remedy to this? Just got my daughter an iPad- but like you mentioned I cannot get anywhere after the “password settings”. We don’t have Touch ID or passcode enabled, what am I doing wrong here? This is so frustrating.

I can’t find a solution to this either, very annoying!

The FaceID option is off but still I can’t gain access to the ‘slides’ to activate or deactivate these options... Apple please do something ;-)

I tried but no luck, was told to wipe my IPad and start again... which btw I’ve already done and the issue wasn’t resolved...

Thx, I will try my luck...

You are welcome.