This is really a pain in the *** too. I asked for an I-Pad for last Xmas because I had so much fun playing with my brother’s last summer vacation. But, when my wife got me my own for Xmas, this passcode feature had been implemented.
I went back to my Kindle Fire after a month because the constant I-Pad passcode requirement is so inconvenient.
If you want your data protected, it's necessary. If you want fast access, use the TouchID. That is fast and easy. This is referring to when your device has laid idle for a period of time. . . then you would be required to put in your passcode. OR, you can go bare with no encryption of your data and not have to do either by turning off the passcode.
If you go that route, anyone can see your data and use your device, accessing your stuff, your bank accounts, your email, etc. Do you want that? I don't. Nor do I find putting in a passcode inconvenient. . . and certainly pressing a finger to the home button is VERY convenient to unlock it.
Can you give more detail about why the passcode bit is “so inconvenient”? I’m not being snarky - I’m curious - I have noticed on my own iPad and iPhone a slight increase in passcode requirement - but it’s always been logical - like after a reboot.
Otherwise, I don’t see the request for passcode very often overall. Could it be there is a setting that you have (maybe inadvertently) set to require passcode more often? For example, you can set iTunes to require passcode for every purchase, or you can enable TouchID (but that will still require passcode if device is rebooted).