Persistent password prompts

Once or twice a week when I open a purchased app, I’m prompted for my iTunes password, which I keep in a MyPassword vault, which then starts prompting me for my password. How can I stop this happening?

Compared to macOS, password problems like this in iOS are uncommon. When they do occur, they’re more likely to result in repeated requests for passwords, particularly the one for your Apple ID.

Expect the occasional password prompt when you access protected systems you haven’t used for some time, but not when opening an app like that. The prime suspect here must be your password manager, MyPassword, which may not be playing ball with your current version of iOS. If you need a password manager, look at popular options like 1Password — although that one ties you in to a monthly subscription.

A simple maneuver to try when you’re constantly being prompted for a flurry of passwords is to power off your device, leave it a minute, then start it up again. This also disconnects you from iCloud, which is another potential fix.

Beyond those, other solutions tend to be more drastic. For an occasional minor annoyance, they may not be worth the effort. These include changing your Apple ID’s password, and backing up your device, wiping it and then restoring from the backup.

Anyone using an iOS device (or a Mac) needs to be aware that what look like genuine password prompts can be malware. Don’t just enter your password the moment you see a request — be vigilant, inspect it carefully, and ask yourself the question: Is the request genuinely from the system or one triggered by my own actions?

With two–factor authentication on the latest iOS, Apple ID password prompts shouldn’t repeat.