Question

Unlock with Device not working - iOS

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
May 15, 2026
3 replies
119 views

Is anyone else having issues getting 1Password on iOS to consistently unlock with Device?

I have the option turned on, I have FaceID and all the relevant iOS security settings switched on but it works so inconsistently I am not sure what's going on. On macOS it works fairly flawlessly (with the odd hiccup here and there) but on iOS it is absolutely terrible and I am not sure why.

Anyone else got this problem?

iOS

1P_Dave

1Password Employee

Hello @gussic! 👋

I'm sorry that you're seeing inconsistent behaviour, unlocking 1Password with your device works a little differently on mobile devices. If you turn on “Unlock with device” on your iPhone or iPad, 1Password will unlock with your device for 10 minutes after you use another unlock method, like Face ID or your account password. After 10 minutes, you’ll need to use another unlock method again to restart the timer.

Security presets vary across platforms based on the nature of those platforms and the unique threats that they face. Since mobile devices are shared and handled publicly more frequently, 1Password on those devices avoids being unlocked for extended periods of time. iOS can also sometimes quit the app which makes guaranteeing long period difficult on mobile devices.

Does this match the behaviour you're seeing? Specifically, that you're able to unlock 1Password for iOS using your device as long as it was unlocked using biometrics or your account password within the last ten minutes, but after longer periods you're prompted to unlock 1Password using a different method?

-Dave

Issue=AUTH-1668

gussicAuthor

Hi@1P_Dave

Yes that does match the behaviour I’m seeing. Is there any workaround for this? I’m comfortable with the risk as my phone isn’t shared and I don’t live in a high crime area.

Taking a step back though, this is explanation needs to be far more prominently displayed when turning on tis feature for 1P - I can’t find it mentioned anywhere in the App, or on the website from what I can see?

I’m sure it is unintentional but the name of the feature is a quite misleading at least on iOS if it only works for 10 minutes after you’ve used another unlock method on 1P. I know our regulators are being very aggressive on misleading advertising, feature names and so on. I’d hate to see 1P dragged into this so it may be worth considering a name change, or making its pretty extreme limitations far more prominently displayed when turning on the feature ?

1P_Dave

1Password Employee

@gussic

I'm sorry for the delay in replying. You can find this documented on our support page: https://support.1password.com/device-unlock/?ios#set-up-unlock-with-device

Here's a screenshot:

In the app itself, this is noted when selecting an app unlock preset:

That being said, I can see how it would be helpful to add additional help text on the Security settings page itself and I've filed a feature request on your behalf.

Is there any workaround for this? I’m comfortable with the risk as my phone isn’t shared and I don’t live in a high crime area.

We originally planned to make this setting user-configurable, including device unlock periods longer than the default 10 minutes, which was chosen to address the unique security risks of mobile devices. However, technical and user experience constraints prevented us from reliably supporting longer unlock periods. We appreciate your feedback, and our team will continue exploring ways to improve the device unlock experience in the future.

-Dave

CFP-20076

K

kvozel

Same issue and concerns here. It's my device, if I want the App to be unlocked and remain that way it is my choice.

1P_Dave

1Password Employee

Technical and user experience limitations currently prevent us from reliably supporting longer device unlock periods on iOS. That said, our development team continues to explore ways to improve the device unlock experience, and we appreciate your feedback.

-Dave

Issue=AUTH-1668

gussicAuthor

Hi @1P_Dave,

Just following up on this - both in terms of a response to my question here:

Is there any workaround for this? I’m comfortable with the risk as my phone isn’t shared and I don’t live in a high crime area.
EDIT: Also, if the answer is no there isn't a workaround, is there scope/potential to add one in future, allowing you to set your own custom timeout - so instead of it being 10 minutes you could set it to say 8 hours or something? [Added post quote]

And also more generally to the point about having this more prominently explained/highlighted to people and the potential issues about it being a misleading feature name etc.

Sorry, understand you're busy but it'd be great to close the loop on this one!

Cheers

1P_Dave

1Password Employee

I'm sorry for the delay in replying! I've responded here.

-Dave

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