M1 Sometimes Requires Password

[August West]

About once a week or so my M1 MB Air will require the password instead of Touch ID when awakening from sleep. I can't seem to figure out any reason it only occasionally requires the password. It always seems to happen when waking up for the first time of the day after being put to sleep the prior evening.

Any idea way this only happens occasionally?

 

[ipsedixit]

Mine does that too.

I just figured it's an internal Apple security feature, just to make sure the owner hasn't had her finger cutoff to break into the computer.

Just like sometimes the iPhone will require a password to unlock (refusing Face ID) even when there's been no software update, no reboot, no hard shutdown.

 

[NoBoMac]

^^^Sorta.

Apple Security Guide (p19):

The user hasn’t unlocked their device for more than 48 hours.
The user hasn’t used their passcode or password to unlock their device for 156 hours (six and a half days), and the user hasn’t used a biometric to unlock their device in 4 hours.

For me, since I cycle power on all my gadgets Sunday morning, middle of the night Saturday the 156 hour trigger triggers.

 

[ipsedixit]

^^^Sorta.

Apple Security Guide (p19):



For me, since I cycle power on all my gadgets Sunday morning, middle of the night Saturday the 156 hour trigger triggers.

I think it also happens when I log into another Mac with my Apple ID and then come back to my original computer.

 

[polee]

This has happened to me twice.

 

[August West]

^^^Sorta.

Apple Security Guide (p19):



For me, since I cycle power on all my gadgets Sunday morning, middle of the night Saturday the 156 hour trigger triggers.

Well, this explains everything then.

1. 
   When a device passcode or password is required
   
   Users can use their passcode or password anytime instead of Touch ID or Face ID, but there are situations where biometrics aren’t permitted. The following security-sensitive operations always require entry of a passcode or password:
2. • 
     The user hasn’t used their passcode or password to unlock their device for 156 hours (six and a half days), and the user hasn’t used a biometric to unlock their device in 4 hours.
     

 

[ApfelKuchen]

This is long-time behavior with Touch ID- and Face ID-protected iOS/iPadOS devices as well. In addition to being a security spot-check, it also helps reinforce our memories - a passcode/password that goes un-used is oft forgotten.