When you get your new iPhone, the first thing you want to do is install your favorite apps. You need email and messaging apps for work, a calorie counter for fitness, and a trip planner app for your next outing. But the process of installing apps on iPhone is quite different from Android. In Google Play Store, if an app is free, you can download it by simply pressing the “Install” button. Yes, that's the entire installation process by default.
advertisement
On the other hand, the Apple App Store requires a password to download apps. Whether it's a completely free app or a paid app, you have to enter your Apple ID password every time. This can be quite annoying if you don't feel that you need that much protection for something that's free to use in the first place. So you might be wondering if you can install free apps on your iPhone without a password, and the short answer is yes.
Install a password-free app on your iPhone
You can easily install free apps on your iPhone without the hassle of entering your Apple ID password. If the app is free, it will start downloading as soon as you press the “Install” button, even if it has in-app purchases. You don't need to do anything else to continue.
advertisement
However, if your iPhone always asks for your Apple ID password before installing both free and paid apps, you can change this in the settings. To bypass password prompts while installing free apps on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Connect to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network or mobile data.
- Launch Settings app.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Open Media and Purchasing.
- Select “Password Settings” in the banner that appears at the bottom. If you don't see the “Password Settings” option, return to the Settings app home page and select “Face ID & Passcode.” Then turn off Face ID for iTunes and the App Store.
- Under “Free Downloads,” toggle the “Require Password” setting off.
- Press “Done” to finish.
Once you've completed these steps, try installing a free app from the App Store and you should no longer be prompted for your password.
Apps are installed with Face ID or Touch ID instead of a password
Although it's convenient to skip entering your password when installing free apps on your iPhone, there are times when you don't want to install both free and paid apps at once. For example, you might be using a shared phone at work and want to prevent others from installing random apps that aren't related to you, or you might want to prevent your children from installing paid apps or apps with in-app purchases on your device.
advertisement
Either way, it's always a good idea to add an extra layer of protection while installing apps. And the good news is that you can do that without relying on your Apple ID password. Instead, you can use your iPhone's Face ID or Touch ID. To set up Face ID or Touch ID for app installation, follow these steps:
- Make sure you're connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Under “Use Face/Touch ID for,” enable the option for “iTunes & App Store.”
- To finish, enter your Apple ID password.
Once that's done, go to the App Store and install any app you want. The installation won't start immediately, instead you'll be asked to double-click the side button first. Then you'll need Face ID or Touch ID to continue. If the face recognition or fingerprint scan fails, you'll need to enter your Apple ID to install the app.