episer

Q: Notes Touch ID lock not working across iOS devices?

Since iOS 9.3, when you have Touch ID for locking/unlocking notes available on MULTIPLE iOS devices, there is this inconsistency on Touch ID unlockability: you can't always unlock your notes with Touch ID -- only the one you created directly on that particular device.

 

However, since Touch ID unlocks ALL locked notes simultaneously, I don't see the reason why some notes won't be able to unlock with Touch ID directly. Touch ID option will appear only on notes created locally (even though those notes are stored in iCloud, in the same folder as other notes where Touch ID will work an unlock locally created, and locked, notes as well).

 

It sounds a bit confusing, so let me be more concrete:

Have two iOS devices, say iPhone and iPad.

1. Create a locked note #1 with Touch ID on an iPhone.

2. Create a locked note #2 with Touch ID on an iPad.

3. Try to unlock note #2 on iPhone. Now, the prompt will NOT have Touch ID option -- you can type in password only.

4. Try to unlock note #1 on iPhone. Here, because #1 is created right on the iPhone, Touch ID option appears. But then it unlocks #1 as well, simultaneously, so I don't see why I shouldn't be able to unlock #1 with Touch ID in the first place.

 

Touch ID should work universally on any locked notes on iOS devices (if enabled), no matter where the note was created. Anyone currently experiencing the same issue?

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on Jun 25, 2016 10:53 AM

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Q: Notes Touch ID lock not working across iOS devices?

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  • by irina_w,

    irina_w irina_w Jun 26, 2016 8:47 AM in response to episer
    Community Specialists
    Jun 26, 2016 8:47 AM in response to episer

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities episer,

    I totally understand your concern with using touch ID for unlocking your notes across multiple devices. Since touch ID is set up separately on each device, it would need to be unlocked on that particular device as you are doing currently. This is normal behavior. You could use a password instead that would unlock all of your notes on the device once entered. Have a quick look at the link below for more details on how your Toch ID and Password protected Notes work.

     

    Keep your notes secure with password-protection

    This should give you a better understanding on how your Touch ID and passwords protect your notes.

     

    Have a great day! 

  • by episer,

    episer episer Jun 26, 2016 9:48 AM in response to episer
    Level 1 (13 points)
    iPad
    Jun 26, 2016 9:48 AM in response to episer

    Ok, I have found a workaround.

     

    1. Create a note with title "Unlock on iPad" and Lock Note locally on your iPad (with Touch ID enabled)
    2. Create a note with title "Unlock on iPhone" and Lock Note locally on your iPhone (with Touch ID enabled)
    3. Every time when I want to view any notes on a device, I unlock the corresponding "Unlock on iXXX" first, and Touch ID will sure be available. This will unlock all your locked notes and you can enjoy those notes without having to type the password.
  • by Mouse_Director,

    Mouse_Director Mouse_Director Aug 28, 2016 9:30 AM in response to episer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 28, 2016 9:30 AM in response to episer

    I was just having this problem and didn't realize it had to do with device where it was created (iPad is new so all notes are from iPhone). Using that info though, I solved it with any real workarounds. I unlocked the note I wanted to view on my iPad, re-locked it, quit the app (including double press home button and swiping away notes [not sure if this part needs to happe]) and relaunched notes. Sure enough that note (and only that one [meaning this must be repeated for all other Touch ID locked notes]) now will let me unlock with Touch ID.