Touch ID not unlocking password-protected Pages document

Question

Level 1

4 points

Touch ID not unlocking password-protected Pages document

Hi all. I recently updated to the newer version of Pages and now I am trying to unlock a Pages document for which I have forgotten the password. I was a bit more cavalier about noting this password because, in my Pages settings, I have the "use Touch ID to unlock documents" option checked.

For this document, when I try to open it, I get a box asking for my password. Underneath that box is an option to open with Touch ID. That box is not checked, even though the open with Touch ID setting is checked in the overall Pages menu. Checking the box does not give me the option to use Touch ID--it just keeps telling me that the password is wrong.

I have tried addressing this through the Passwords tool on the Mac, but have not been successful. I have also tried to restart the computer with the Touch ID option selected and without the Touch ID option selected. I have now exhausted all of the tools that I (and an initial internet search) know to try.

I would be grateful for any suggestions on how to make the laptop that has been told to use Touch ID to open documents actually use Touch ID to open documents.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jul 9, 2026 8:24 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

127,516 points

Jul 9, 2026 2:58 PM in response to ABS_KC

Pages stores the encrypted password within the document. The type of encryption used by older versions of Pages may have stored that encrypted password in a form that Keychain may have known how to retrieve, but not necessarily the current Touch ID and Pages v15.3. For these older documents, you may need to remember the original password as Touch ID is not available to make this automatic.

The previous paragraph is a supposition for why Touch ID is not available for Pages documents encrypted by older Pages versions. Only the Pages product team knows the internal details.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

127,516 points

Jul 9, 2026 9:44 AM in response to ABS_KC

I just set a password on a Pages v15.3 document with that Open with Touch ID selected in the password panel. I then saved and exited the Pages document.

When I double-clicked that lock icon adorned Pages document, I get the following dialog.

and placing my index finger above the Touch ID button on my USB-C Apple Extended Keyboard paired to my M4 Mac Mini Pro immediately unlocked this document. It works as expected for me:

Tested: Pages v15.3, Tahoe 26.5.2

I happen to have a 2021 16-in M1 MacBook Pro M1 Pro whose Touch ID button and multiple resets is virtually useless. My new USB-C Apple Extended Keyboard's Touch ID works every time I need it and have not needed to reset the finger recognition.

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Answer 3

ABS_KC Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 9, 2026 11:21 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thank you for your response. When I create a new document in Pages, I get the unlock screen shown in your post. When I open a document that was created before I updated Pages, I get this response:

This is true even though the "Use Touch ID to open files with password" option is selected in my general Pages settings.

Clicking the box next to "Open with Touch ID" does not correct the issue.

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