Stop the App Store asking for your password for free apps
Quick answer
Open System Settings, click your name, then Media & Purchases, and set Free Downloads to Never Require. Paid purchases still ask, which keeps your money safe.
Why it happens
Your Apple Account has its own setting for when the App Store asks for your password, with one choice for purchases and one for free downloads. If Free Downloads is set to Always Require, every free app needs your password. On a Mac with Touch ID used for purchases, Touch ID takes over and this menu is greyed out.
How to fix it
Choose Apple menu > System Settings and click your name at the top of the sidebar.
Click Media & Purchases, then open the Free Downloads pop-up and choose Never Require. Your Mac may ask for your password once to confirm.
Apple Account›Media & Purchases›Free Downloads
Click Done, then try a free app in the App Store. It should download without the password box.
Still not fixed?
Menu greyed out? Touch ID is set to handle purchases, so you'll get a quick Touch ID check instead of the password. That's normal. To use the password settings instead, turn off the Touch ID purchases switch in Touch ID & Password.
Touch ID & Password›Use Touch ID for purchases in iTunes Store, App Store, and Apple Books
On a child's account in Family Sharing, downloads may need a parent's approval instead. The parent can change that in Family settings.
If the App Store keeps asking you to sign in again, rather than just for the password, sign out and back in. In the App Store, click your name at the bottom of the sidebar.
If it still asks for your password for free apps after all of this, contact Apple Support. They can check your Apple Account settings with you.
Questions people ask
Why does my Mac ask for a password to download free apps?
Free Downloads is set to Always Require. Change it to Never Require in your name > Media & Purchases in System Settings.
Will paid apps still ask for my password?
Yes. The Free Downloads setting only covers free apps. Purchases have their own setting on the same page.
Why is the Free Downloads option greyed out?
Touch ID is being used for purchases, so the Mac asks for your fingerprint instead of the password.
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Press ⌃ ⌥ Space and type “stop app store asking for password every time”. PinSet opens Apple Account › Media & Purchases in System Settings and rings Free Downloads. One of 2,400+ checked Mac fixes. Works offline.
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