Use Touch ID to open your iWork documents

: June 7, 2024
: Apple

Table of Contents

Use Touch ID to open your iWork documents

Use Touch ID to open your iWork documents

You can open a password-protected Pages, Numbers, or Keynote document with Touch ID instead of typing.

When you create documents in iWork, you can require a password for users to open the file. If your iPhone, iPad, or Mac has Touch ID, you can use Touch ID instead of typing the password. And if you have an iPhone or iPad that supports Face ID, Face ID can open your password-protected documents.

To use Touch ID to unlock password-protected documents, first set up Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad or set up Touch ID on your Mac.

Open password-protected documents with Touch ID

When you open a password-protected document for the first time, you need to enter the document’s password. If your iPhone, iPad, or Mac has Touch ID set up, you also see the “Open with Touch ID” option.

The next time you open this document, you can use Touch ID: Lightly touch the Home button on your iPhone or iPad or the Touch ID (power button) on your Mac. If Touch ID doesn’t recognize your finger, make sure that you’re using the correct finger and that your hands are clean and dry. You can also enter the document’s password to open it.

Add a password to a document and use Touch ID

If your document isn’t password protected, you must first set up a password.

On your iPhone or iPad

Open your document in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote.
Tap the More button , then tap Set Password.
Enter your password in the Password and Verify fields. You should also add a Password Hint to help you remember your password in case you forget it.
Make sure that “Open with Touch ID” is turned on, then tap Done.

The next time you open this document, you can use Touch ID instead of typing the document’s password.

On your Mac

Open your document in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote.
Choose File > Set Password.
Enter your password in the Password and Verify fields. You should also add a Password Hint to help you remember your password in case you forget it.
Make sure that “Open with Touch ID” is turned on, then click Set Password.

The next time you open this document, you can use Touch ID instead of typing the document’s password.

Set up Touch ID to open password-protected documents on your Mac

Pages, Numbers, and Keynote use Touch ID by default if your Mac supports Touch ID and it’s been set up.

If you’re asked for a password when opening a document and don’t see the Touch ID option, set up Touch ID for use with your iWork apps:

Open Pages, then choose Pages > Preferences.
Select Use Touch ID. If you can’t select Use Touch ID because it’s missing or dimmed, make sure you’re on a Mac that supports Touch ID and has it set up.
Repeat the process for Numbers and Keynote.

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad that supports Touch ID, the ability to use Touch ID to open password-protected documents is always on, and you don’t need to set it up as you do on a Mac.

Published Date: September 30, 2019