How to Password Protect Your iPad
Unless an iPad supports TouchID or Face ID, it can only be used after the password or passcode is entered. You can always use those methods, of course, to lock your iPad’s screen. Otherwise, follow these steps to password protect your iPad:
Before Leaving the Passcode Lock Settings
The iPad now asks for the passcode before letting you into the home screen. However, a few things are still accessible from the lock screen. If the iPad has a fingerprint scanner, select TouchID & Passcode. On iPads equipped with facial identification, choose Face ID & Passcode instead. Only one of these options will be available in the iPad’s settings. If you prefer, tap Passcode Options and choose a different authentication method: Custom Alphanumeric Code, Custom Numeric Code, or 4-Digit Numeric Code. Siri is accessible from the lock screen. If you use it as a personal assistant, setting meetings and reminders without unlocking your iPad can be a time saver. On the flip side, Siri allows anyone to set these meetings and reminders. If you want to keep your private information private, toggle Siri off so that it can’t be used from the lock screen. Consider disabling access to Today View and Notification Center from the lock screen. These items access meeting reminders, your daily schedule, and iPad widgets you have installed. Disable it from the lock screen to make your iPad super secure. You may want to disable Home Control from the lock screen, also. If you have smart devices in your house (such as a smart thermostat, garage door, lights, or a front door lock), restrict access to these features from the lock screen. Consider turning this off if you have any smart devices that allow entry into your home. Enable the Erase Data option so that your iPad will be wiped if the passcode is entered incorrectly 10 times in a row. While it’s a neat feature to remotely wipe an iPad automatically should it be stolen, it might not always be helpful. If you have kids around, be aware that should they tap your iPad a few dozen times without knowing what they’re doing, it could wipe all the data from your tablet.
Should You Secure Your iPad With a Passcode?
Passcodes aren’t mandatory, but they’re a good security practice. One reason to lock an iPad with a passcode is to stop a stranger from snooping around if you lose the iPad or it gets stolen, but there are other reasons to lock up your iPad. For example, if you have young children in your household, you might consider a password so that they can’t open apps like Netflix and find videos that you don’t want them to watch.
