Katie Marsal
Apple's pre-release betas of iOS 8.3 include an option to disable password entry when downloading free applications from the App Store, removing a potential inconvenience for users.
With the latest betas of iOS 8.3, users can open the Settings application and navigate to the "iTunes & App Store" options. There, a new menu called "Password Settings" can be seen underneath the Apple ID entry.
From there, Apple has included a section called "Free Downloads," with the password requirement enabled by default. Though the setting is currently greyed out in iOS 8.3 beta 4, presumably it will become available when the software ships to users, allowing them to download free software without a password entry or Touch ID verification.
The Password Settings section also houses the controls for standard purchases and in-app purchases. Here users can choose to always require a password for purchases, or to allow a 15-minute window in which multiple items can be bought.
New betas of iOS 8.3, both for developers and public testers, were issued on Tuesday. It's expected that iOS 8.3 will become available before the launch of the Apple Watch next month, on April 24.
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25 Comments
One of the first setting changes I will do. Love it. Of course this feature will be turned OFF for my son.
One of the first setting changes I will do. Love it.Of course this feature will be turned OFF for my son.
Someone will file a lawsuit because something was downloaded by their child...blah blah blah...
This is a good change.
I would also like to not need to enter a password in order to write a review, or to at least be able to use Touch ID.
Someone will file a lawsuit because something was downloaded by their child...blah blah blah...
Exactly right! What's the default delay for needing a Password, 15 minutes? I think Apple Default should be Password for everything and No password Delay once entering a Password. Apple can't leave anything to be sued over!!!! The person has to manually change those setting themselves. Then it's on them!!!! We already have the whole GET thing to Get a App instead of FREE. Then again, no matter what Apple does, there will be someone to sue over something anyway. I say make it harder and you can then advertising, a iOS Tip whatever to show how to make things easier if YOU want to do that. Make it hard up front and then there's zero excuses for refunds on dumb freemium stuff your kid supposedly did on your phone!!! I don't really think it's such a big deal with TouchID anyway. Hell you can turn off simple passwords and put a real password in that is much harder to guess. Doesn't matter with Touch ID. Only have to enter it a few times.
This is well overdue! Most users, speaking for myself, initially download free apps, and I'd wager that many more free apps get trialled by users than paid apps, and this logging-in rigamarole has been a nuisance! Furthermore, if an app is FREE, and you don't need to log in to download it, then you also don't need to worry about accidental in-app purchases, because you'll be prompted to enter your password, thus tipping you off. Most excellent, Thank-you Apple!