Requirement to enter passcode every 48 hours

No, this is definitely a bug. I have an iPad Air & an iPhone 6. Both are kept up to date and have the very latest iOS updates. I've NEVER received the 48-hour message on my iPad, but have received it numerous times, though very sporadically, on my phone. I'm always using my phone. The longest period of time I go without using it is overnight (6-8 hours). There's no telling when the 48-hour message will show up: it might show up tomorrow, then 2 days later, then not for 3 weeks. The only consistency is that whenever it does show up, my phone has not been idle for any longer than 8 hours. The message is not accurate for my circumstances, nor for many of the others who have posted here. While a device that has been idle for 48 hours DOES now require to have a password entered, a device that's been idle for any amount of time less than the 48 hours SHOULD permit the fingerprint login. I believe Apple may have even already acknowledged that this is a bug; there is no question that is the case.

HVDynamo wrote:

It has nothing to do with Exchange.

Okay.

Is there any profile installed on the device?

Settings > General > Profiles.

I'm also seeing this on 3 various devices, none is corporate, no Exchange, no profiles, etc. etc. It only started with iOS 9.0.1 or 9.0.2. A clear-cut bug.

do you have an exchange work email on your phone by chance? If so it may be part of the profile settings your company puts on the exchange server.

Since the OP wrote in May 2014, the problem seen then is likely different from the last couple of posters from Oct 2015, but I saw this this morning as well, and I suspect it's a bug in iOS 9.0.1.

It's also being discussed over at Ars Technica in the forum about iOS 9--several folks observing this.

Using an iPhone 6 that I've used since it was released with Touch ID activated--never had any surprises.

Personal phone, not corporate--no one in control of security settings but me.

No Exchange accounts on phone.

I unlock the phone many times every day, and yesterday was no exception.

Last night, last Touch ID unlock was probably around 10 PM.

This morning, attempted Touch ID unlock a little after 7 AM...got the screen dialog telling me that Touch ID required passcode entry after 48 hours.

As I say, I have to imagine this is due to my recent installation of iOS 9.0.1, I assume it's a bug, and I hope it's fixed soon.

850T5 wrote:

Don't think I mentioned a 6 digit password

You didn’t.

But that is the new requirement with iOS 9.

but a password that complies with my corporate's guidance. That is 8 characters, including upper and lower case and numbers. But why would you care?

So why are you talking about it here?

You should complain to your company as they set the requirement to use a password and they have the requirement for the password security

Having to enter the password is simply annoying after purchasing a device which has touchID to prevent exactly that!

So either don’t use it with your company or tell your company to change their policy.

OOkay this is what I learned.

do a soft reset by holding the home key and the lock key together until the apple logo appears- then release. If that doesn't work (and we won't know until the next time) then apple may have come up with a bug fix.

There an Open Ticket out on the issue because Apple have noticed that there is a problem.

Apple support page About Touch ID security on iPhone and iPad - Apple Support

this says if you haven't used your device for 48 you will be required to enter your passcode. I however get this randomly even though I use my phone multiple times a day. I believe this is a bug.

TThe point is that if you have a problem read the thread. I'm amazed how people are dealing with this issue. I tried an AppleCare fix and it worked.

PEOPLE. DO A SOFT RESET!

or wait until there's an update to fix the Open Ticket Apple has on this bug.

BUt first read the thread!

iOS 9.x brought an update that requires you to TYPE IN your passcode every 48h.

They show you a message saying you are required to enter it if you didn't UNLOCK the device, but that's actually the wrong message. I noticed that my iPad, which uses complex passcode and is usually only unlocked by touch id, requires me to type the passcode in every 2 days, whereas my iPhone, which I often unlock by typing the code (I work in a lab and sometimes have to unlock my phone using gloves, so no touch id available) has never required me to type in the passcode unless I restart the device.

I don't think this is a bug, but rather an intended safety measure.

I hope this clarifies things.

UPDATED Nov 27,2015
No 48 hour request after doing complete (and inconveniently taking 3 hours) restore factory after using iTunes to backup.

Now up to date and free of needing pass code or updates.
Omitted using iCloud suggestion as it is more intrusive.
I lost a couple minor apps during re-installation as they are not currently available in app store.
It may be fixed for now or just the holiday's causing less frequent usage.

Here is the discussion from November 17, 2015
As per Apple Chat...

Seems to indicate restore only after ERASE DEVICE and add Setup Assistant.

I am trying the Backup then Restore with iTunes 12.3.1.23 on El Capitan 10.11.1

Wish me luck !

😝

"Marcus:
I would suggest to attempt to restore the device. To restore using iTunes

Connect your device to the computer that you stored your backup on. Open iTunes. Click restore and wait for the process to finish. The only way to restore from an iCloud backup is through the Setup Assistant. To get to the Setup Assistant on a device you already set up, you'll need to erase all the content on your device and set it up again."

SJL8955 wrote:

This is a serious bug that needs fixing Asap ......... Forcing the use of a low tech unsecure solution over a high tech biometric solution is a hackers dream come true !

GET IT FIXED URGENTLY Apple please

You're joking, right? For 6 years hundreds of millions of iPhone users had to unlock their phones with passcodes dozens of times a day, and none of them died from it, or even thought it was unusual. To have to enter a passcode every few days is hardly a security issue. And remember, that every iPhone with Touch ID can also be unlocked with a passcode at will. So if passcodes are unsecure then every iPhone in use is unsecure. Which doesn't seem to be the case. In fact, the FBI has complained to Apple that iOS devices are too secure for even them to get into.

If anything, Touch ID is LESS secure than a passcode. You can change a passcode. You can't change your fingerprint. And legally, a court cannot order you to reveal your passcode, but they CAN require your fingerprint to unlock your phone.

Two different subjects.

1. After a reboot the passcode is required because the fingerprint is stored in encrypted memory, so it isn't accessible until the encryption key (which is based on your passcode) is entered. So it isn't physically possible to recognize a fingerprint.
2. While my phone periodically asks for a passcode (it isn't on any fixed schedule), the only time it has ever asked is in the morning the first time I use the phone, so it's always in the privacy of my own home, and thus is not a security exposure.

As far as which is more secure, from a legal perspective a passcode is more secure than a fingerprint, at least in the US. Courts have ruled that law enforcement cannot require you to unlock your passcode enabled phone, because to do so would violate your Fifth Amendment rights. But they have also ruled that this does not apply to your fingerprint, which law enforcement can require for any reason.

It has also been demonstrated that Touch ID can be fooled if someone has a clear picture of your finger from, say, a Facebook photo where your hands are clearly visible. They can make a mold from the picture that will work to unlock your phone. While this is unlikely, so is someone watching you enter your passcode. Hundreds of millions of iPhones were unlocked with passcodes billions of times without compromising them before the 5S, the first phone with Touch ID.

I Did the soft reset and although it's only been a few days it hasn't happened again. Yet!!!

OOkay guys. Do a soft reset and if that doesn't fix the issue call AppleCare. It did work for me.