MBP occasionally requires manual password to unlock vs. Touch ID

[OldGuyInTheClub]

M3 MBP 36GB on Sequoia 15.7.3

I normally use Touch ID to unlock. My machine will occasionally require a manual password entry for this. Usually it happens early in the morning when I am groggy, have to find my glasses, and enter the password while the MBP is on the nightstand. It is there, by the by, because I play something to help me get to sleep.

I understand that it is good to not get overly dependent on the Touch ID and remember the password by typing it. But, is there any way to change this so it is mandated during the day when I'm fully awake? I checked the Settings panels and came up empty. I can't find any other pattern to the timing of the manual entry requirement.

Thanks.

 

[loby]

This is a good question. I hope someone has the answer.

What I have noticed lately is that the Touch ID at times does not work and it directs to use the password. Does it first allow you to try to use Touch ID before showing a message to enter your password, or does it first state to enter your password before allowing to use Touch ID? I am sure your Mac did not restart during the night or you just turned it on in the morning; If so, It will require always to enter the password first if these options occur.

 

[OldGuyInTheClub]

It is hard for me to tell at the time. I don't look but just try the Touch ID and occasionally can't get unlocked. I then see the Enter Password or equivalent wording below the box. I then have to find and get my glasses on, fumble for the keyboard backlight button (remapped F9 with Karabiner Elements), then enter the password.(*)

The MBP plays whatever I've queued and then locks at some point overnight. I don't autoinstall updates so this is just the lock screen, not the screen on reboot.

As for why this bugs me, I often want to restart whatever was queued (Youtube mostly, VLC occasionally) and get some more sleep.

(*) Love this MBP but miss the F5/F6 keyboard backlight keys that my 2012 MBP had.

 

[chabig]

Your Mac will generally require a password every 6 1/2 days, and it's hitting you in the morning. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to change this.

From Apple's Platform Security Guide:

Optic ID, Face ID, Touch ID, passcodes, and passwords

To use Optic ID, Face ID, or Touch ID on supported Apple devices, the user must set up their device so that a passcode or password is required to unlock it.

support.apple.com

A passcode or password is also required if the device is in any of the following states:

• The device has just been turned on or restarted (doesn’t apply to Apple Vision Pro if the “Nearby iPhone Enables Optic ID” feature is turned on).
• The user has logged out of their Mac account (or hasn’t yet logged in).
• 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 biometric authentication to unlock their device in 4 hours.
• The device has received a remote lock command.
• The user exited power off/Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the Sleep/Wake button simultaneously for 2 seconds and then pressing Cancel.
• There were five unsuccessful biometric authentication match attempts (though for usability, the device might offer entering a passcode or password instead of using biometrics after a smaller number of failures).

 

[OldGuyInTheClub]

Ok, thanks for this. I think it means that if I lock/enter password manually during the day, the timer will reset and I can use Touch ID in the morning?

 

[chabig]

• 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 biometric authentication to unlock their device in 4 hours.

I think this one is going to get you every 6 1/2 days. But if you set yourself a reminder to log out every six days during the daytime, and then log in again with your password, you won't be asked for a password the next morning.

 

[ifxf]

I just disable require password with lockscreen. I keep my front door locked with a house alarm, that is enough.

 

[MBAir2010]

Seems to me that the latest of th cali OS has that problem
as Monterey 2024 locked my MBA M1out instead of fingerprint while 12.7.2 (21G1974) allows.
tahoe editors blocked my fingerprint on the MBA m1 and sometime on tne Mac mini M1

I don'r know if this was a solution or revelation?

 

[NoBoMac]

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 biometric authentication to unlock their device in 4 hours.

I have always worked under the assumption that this is a bit misleading, typo and or poor phrasing by Apple's tech writers . Think it's an "or" not 156 "and" 4 hours no biometrics. Reason, the 156 is/seems to be a hard limit in Secure Enclave devices and would make no sense to get around it by using biometrics at, say, 155.5 hours.

OP's problem might be related to this: https://support.apple.com/en-gu/guide/mac-help/mchlp2443/mac

 

[chabig]

Think it's an "or" not 156 "and" 4 hours no biometrics.

I use my Mac every day, and yet I still have to periodically enter the password. I think "and" is correct.

 

[maflynn]

I just disable require password with lockscreen. I keep my front door locked with a house alarm, that is enough.

Same, only on bootup will I need to enter my password, otherwise I just need to shake the mouse or mash the keyboard to wake up and I'm off like a herd of turtles.