James Corless1

Q: Using a passcode with Apple Pay

Why can't I disable my passcode and just use my Touch ID when using Apple Pay?

Posted on Jun 23, 2015 10:38 AM

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Q: Using a passcode with Apple Pay

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  • by lkrupp,

    lkrupp lkrupp Jun 23, 2015 12:41 PM in response to James Corless1
    Level 5 (4,153 points)
    Jun 23, 2015 12:41 PM in response to James Corless1

    Pay only works with Touch ID so we’re not sure where you are coming from on this point. Your passcode CANNOT be used with Pay.

  • by James Corless1,

    James Corless1 James Corless1 Jun 24, 2015 1:41 AM in response to lkrupp
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 24, 2015 1:41 AM in response to lkrupp

    So what you are telling me is that if someone else knows my passcode (or guesses correctly) they would not be able to use Apple Pay?

    But in Apple Pay FAQ - Apple Support it states that "Every transaction on your iPhone or iPad requires you to authenticate with Touch ID or your passcode". That's why I am confused.

  • by lkrupp,Solvedanswer

    lkrupp lkrupp Jun 29, 2015 10:22 AM in response to James Corless1
    Level 5 (4,153 points)
    Jun 29, 2015 10:22 AM in response to James Corless1

    I did some research and found out I was in error. Yes, you can use your passcode OR Touch ID for Apple Pay. You can turn off TouchID and Apple

    Pay will revert to asking for your passcode. It does NOT work the other way around, however. You cannot disable your passcode and use only Touch ID for Apple Pay. The way iOS works you MUST have a passcode set whether you use Touch ID or not, as a security backup. If this were allowed and TouchID malfunctioned, no longer recognizing your fingerprint, you would be totally out of luck in unlocking your phone. Without a passcode your iPhone would be useless until it was repaired. So if you MUST have a passcode set that means if anyone somehow guesses your passcode your phone is compromised anyway.  If someone knows your passcode they can easily bypass Touch ID. So being able to turn off passcode for Apple Pay doesn’t really mean anything if the bad guy already knows your passcode.

     

    If your iPhone is turned off or hasn’t been unlocked in a number of days Touch ID will not unlock your device. You must enter the passcode. Most people aren’t aware that you can use a full blown password/passphrase with multiple characters/digits. Settings->Touch ID & Passcode-> turn off Simple Passcode.

     

    I hope this makes sense.

  • by James Corless1,

    James Corless1 James Corless1 Jul 1, 2015 8:00 AM in response to James Corless1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 1, 2015 8:00 AM in response to James Corless1

    Thank you. I was a little confused at first, but now I am using ApplePay and feeling very secure about it.