How to set a password to protect documents in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Whether you use Apple’s Pages, Numbers, and Keynote applications for work or personal reasons, you might want to protect a document with a password. This can keep prying eyes from being able to access private files.

Once you set a password, no matter where you try to open that document, you’ll need the password. For instance, if you set a password for a Pages document on Mac, you’ll still need the password to open it on your iPad. This adds a nice layer of security to your most important files.

Here’s how to password-protect your Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Password protect Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents

Password protect documents on iPhone and iPad

1) Open the document inside Pages, Numbers, or Keynote that you want to set a password for.

2) Tap the More icon from the top right and:

  • In Pages: Tap Document Options > Set Password.
  • In Numbers: Tap Set Password.
  • In Keynote: Tap Presentation Options > Set Password.

3) Type the password, verify it, and optionally include a hint. You can enable Open with Face ID/Touch ID here as well.

4) Finally, tap Done.

Set Password in Pages on iPhone
Pages

Now, if you try to open this document again, whether on your iOS device or Mac, you’ll be prompted for the password.

Password Required for Numbers on Mac

Change or remove document password on iOS

If you need to change a password that you set at some point, you can do this just as easily. Plus, you can remove a password down the road.

1) Open the password-protected document in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote.

2) Tap the More icon from the top right and then:

  • In Pages: Tap Document Options > Change Password.
  • In Numbers: Tap Change Password.
  • In Keynote: Tap Presentation Options > Change Password.

3) To make a change, type the old/current password, the new password, verify the new password, and optionally include a new hint. You can enable Open with Face ID/Touch ID here too.

To remove the password, turn off the slider at the top for Require Password. Then, enter the current password.

4) Finally, tap Done.

Change Password in Keynote on iPhone
Keynote

Password protect documents on Mac

1) Open Pages, Numbers, or Keynote document that you want to set a password for.

2) Click File from the menu bar and select Set Password.

3) Type the password, verify it, and optionally include a password hint. You can enable Remember this password in my keychain here as well.

4) Click Set Password.

Set Password for Keynote on Mac

Just like on iOS, when you try to open this document again, whether on your Mac or iOS device, you’ll be prompted for the password.

Password Required for Keynote on iPhone

Change or remove document password on Mac

1) Click File from the menu bar.

2) Select Change Password.

3) To make a change, type the current password, the new password, verify the new password, and optionally include a new hint.

To remove the password, enter the current password and then click the Remove Password button.

Change or Remove Password for Keynote on Mac

Password protecting your Pages, Numbers, or Keynote documents might not be something you have to do every day, but knowing how to do it is important when you need it.

Do you find a need to password-protect these types of documents on iOS or Mac?

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