Disable Password Prompts for Free Apps on macOS Catalina

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

To stop macOS Catalina from asking for your Apple ID password when you download free apps, open the App Store’s password settings and change the requirement for free downloads to “Save Password” or “Never Require,” if that option is available. The setting applies to App Store downloads; it does not remove your Mac login password, disable every security check, or necessarily affect purchases made through other services.

Change the App Store password setting

Open the App Store on your Mac.
From the menu bar, choose App Store > Preferences.
Look for the password or purchase settings. Under Free Downloads, select Save Password or Never Require, depending on the wording shown.
If prompted, authenticate with your Apple ID password or Mac credentials to save the change.

Apple’s wording and available choices can vary with account configuration and software updates. If the preference window does not show a free-download option, check System Preferences > Apple ID > Media & Purchases for purchase-related settings, or review the troubleshooting steps below. Do not assume that a missing choice means you can disable the Mac’s other password protections.

What the setting changes

The App Store can require authentication when you acquire content, including apps listed as free. A “free” app has no purchase price at download, but acquiring it is still linked to your Apple ID. The password preference controls whether the App Store asks you to authenticate for that type of transaction; it does not make the app anonymous or detach it from your account.

Free-download authentication is a separate choice from authentication for paid purchases and in-app purchases. You can keep a password requirement for paid items while making free downloads less interruptive. Review each category carefully rather than changing every purchase setting simply to avoid prompts for free apps.

This preference also is not the same as turning off your Mac’s login password, disabling FileVault, or changing how the Mac authorizes system changes. Those protections serve different purposes. Changing the App Store setting should not be treated as a way to bypass account verification or device security.

Why Catalina may still ask for a password

A prompt can appear for reasons other than the free-download preference. For example, the App Store may need you to sign in again, confirm account details, accept updated terms, or verify a payment or billing issue. A password request might also relate to an app update or paid content rather than a new free download.

Confirm the item is free: Check that the App Store identifies it as free and that you are not selecting an in-app purchase or subscription.
Check the signed-in account: In the App Store, verify that you are using the Apple ID whose settings you changed.
Read the prompt: An Apple ID password prompt is different from a request for your Mac administrator password or a verification code.
Check account notices: Sign-in issues, terms that need acceptance, or billing details that need attention can trigger separate requests.
Restart and retry: Quit the App Store, reopen it, and test with a free app after confirming the preference.

If the prompt specifically asks for a Mac password to authorize a system change, changing the App Store’s free-download preference will not address it. Likewise, two-factor authentication may require a verification step when your account needs one. The setting is not a guarantee that the App Store will never ask you to authenticate.

When the option is missing or does not stick

First make sure you are changing the setting in the App Store on the Mac, not in a different app or on another device. Check both the App Store preferences and the Apple ID’s Media & Purchases area in System Preferences, since account and purchase controls may be presented in different places.

Next, sign out and back in only if ordinary checks do not resolve the issue, and make sure you know the Apple ID credentials before doing so. Avoid repeatedly entering a password if the prompt appears unexpected; verify that it is an authentic Apple sign-in dialog and that the request matches what you were doing. If the option remains unavailable, an account restriction, managed Mac policy, or Catalina build difference may be involved. On a work- or school-managed Mac, ask the administrator before changing account settings.

Catalina is an older macOS release. Its interface and the availability of account controls can differ from newer macOS versions, and Apple may change account services over time. If you are using a newer system, follow the settings shown on that version rather than assuming Catalina’s menu names still apply.

Security and convenience trade-offs

Not requiring a password for free downloads can make installing ordinary apps faster, especially on a Mac used by one trusted person. It can also make it easier for someone with access to an unlocked Mac to acquire apps using the signed-in account. The preference does not grant that person your Apple ID password, but it reduces one confirmation step for the transactions covered by the setting.

Consider keeping authentication enabled if other people regularly use the Mac, if it is shared, or if you want an extra pause before content is added to your account. Lock the Mac when you step away, use a strong account password, and keep your Apple ID recovery information current. For a shared Mac, separate user accounts are generally more appropriate than relying on an App Store prompt as the only boundary between users.

Disabling the free-download prompt does not mean every app is safe. Check the developer, app description, permissions, and reviews before installing. An app being free or available in the App Store is not a reason to ignore whether it suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable password prompts only for free apps?
Yes, when Catalina presents a separate free-download preference. Change that category while leaving paid purchases set to require authentication if that is your preference.

Will this stop prompts for paid apps or subscriptions?
No. Free downloads, paid purchases, and in-app purchases can have separate authentication rules. Check the prompt and the relevant purchase settings.

Does this remove my Mac login password?
No. It changes an App Store authentication preference, not your Mac user-account password, administrator authorization, or disk-encryption settings.

Why does the App Store still ask for my Apple ID password?
The request may be for account sign-in, updated terms, a purchase, or another verification step. Confirm the account and the item, then read the prompt to identify what it is requesting.

Can I make Catalina remember my password for every download?
The available choices depend on the version and account settings. If Catalina offers a free-download option such as saving the password or never requiring it, use that option; it may not suppress unrelated authentication requests.

Is it safe to turn off the prompt?
It can be reasonable on a Mac you control, but it removes a confirmation step for covered free downloads. Keep the Mac locked when unattended and retain authentication for purchases if you want that added check.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.