How to change your password settings in Apple Books

Mac Books Password Required

If you purchase books often in the Books app on your device, then it may get tiresome having to enter your password each time. This is especially true if you’re downloading several books in a short time that you’re saving to read later.

While entering your password for purchases is always the safest route, you can set your password to only be required after 15 minutes of the first purchase. That way, if you want to purchase a handful of books at one time, you don’t have to enter your password for each one.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to change your password settings for purchases in the Books app on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Adjust your password settings on Mac

On Mac, you can change these settings directly in the Books app. So open it up and do the following.

1) Click Books > Preferences from the menu bar.

2) Choose the Store tab.

3) Under Password Settings, you’ll see options for Purchases and Free Downloads.

For Purchases, you can select Require after 15 Minutes. This lets you browse, select, and purchase a few books in a short time without needing your password for each one.

For Free Downloads, you can pick from Save Password or Require Password. Since this applies to free items, you might select the Save Password option.

Mac Books Password Settings

Keep in mind that if you’re concerned someone else might make a purchase in the Books app on your Mac, when signed in with your Mac username, you should probably keep the for Purchases option at Always Require. But if you don’t share your Mac or take it anywhere outside of your home, then requiring it after 15 minutes is a safe bet.

Adjust your password settings on iPhone and iPad

On iPhone and iPad, things work a bit differently. You don’t currently have specific password settings just for the Books app. The settings will apply to music and apps as well as books and audiobooks. Plus, you can only adjust the password settings if you do not use Touch ID or Face ID for purchases.

1) Open Settings and select iTunes & App Store.

2) Below your Apple ID, tap Password Settings. Again, if you use Touch ID or Face ID, you will not have this option.

For Purchases and In-App Purchases, you can select Require After 15 Minutes instead of Always Require.

For Free Downloads, you can disable the toggle for Require Password if you like, since this is for free items.

Tap Back and exit the Settings if you’re finished.

Remember, these password settings will apply to all purchases and free downloads from iTunes and the App Store; not just the Books app.

Wrapping it up

Being able to purchase and download multiple books without needing a password each time is convenient. And since you can set a 15-minute time limit, you have a decent amount of time to get the items you want.

Do you have any tips or tricks for the Books app on either Mac or iOS that you’d like to share? If so, feel free to comment below!

And for more, check out how to manage your Apple Books library or look at these keyboard shortcuts for the Books app on Mac.