Face ID Not Working on iPhone and How To Fix It

Face ID is a facial recognition system designed to unlock your iPhone, or tablet, approve purchases, authorize or sign in to third-party apps, and more. With this feature, you can perform various actions without any effort as you just need to look at your phone. However, sometimes this feature can fail to work properly, making it hard for you to unlock different things. This article will explain why is Face ID not working on your iPhone and how to fix this issue.

Which iPhones Have Face ID?

Face ID is a fairly new feature on the iPhone, so it is only available on a small number of models. All iPhones without home buttons support Face ID. Here's the list:

• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X

Why is my Face ID not working?

There are several reasons that can cause the Face ID to fail to work properly on your iPhone. Most Face ID problems are caused by the front camera of your iPhone and problems with the software on your device.

Your camera should not be covered by anything like a screen protector, objects, dirt, or debris. The light also affects the Face ID function. It can fail to work if the bright sunlight is directly behind you when you're using it. Face ID issues can also be caused by system problems like software updates, or thirty-party issues. However, you can troubleshoot them easily.

How to fix Face ID not working on iPhone?

If your Face ID is not working properly and doesn't recognize your face anymore, you can try the fixes below. These solutions work with all iPhone models that support Face ID, from iPhone X to iPhone 13 and beyond.

Fix #1. Check your Face ID settings

It's always best to start with basic checks before getting to the fixes. Here's how to set up Face ID and make sure it's set up right:

1. Go to Settings.

2. Tap on Face ID & Passcode.

3. If you see Reset Face ID, it means that Face ID has already been set up. If not, just tap on Set Up Face ID and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.

4. Make sure that the options for iPhone Unlock, iTunes & App Store, Wallet & Apple Pay, and Password AutoFill are turned on.

Fix #2. Check Face ID Permission for Third-Party Apps

Face ID could be used to log in to third-party banking, payment, instant messaging, and other similar apps. If you have told an app before that it couldn't use Face ID, you will have to enter your iPhone passcode each time.

Here's how to make sure Face ID is turned on for a third-party iPhone app that supports it:

1. Open Settings and scroll all the way to the bottom to see a list of third-party apps.

2. Tap on the concerned app.

3. Make sure the Face ID switch is turned on.

You can also go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Other Apps to see the full list of apps that have asked to use Face ID.

Fix #3. Check for updates

Apple fixes bugs and problems that are known through software updates. If you set up Face ID and it doesn't work or keeps failing to unlock your device, the problem might be deeper in the software. Get the latest version of iOS for your iPhone to fix this.

Fix #4.  Make sure that nothing is covering your camera

Does Face ID on your iPhone not work at all? When that happens, wipe the top of the phone with a soft, dry cloth to make sure the Face ID sensor is clean. When you hold the phone on your ear for too long, body oils and dirt can stick to it and make Face ID stop working.

Second, if you are using a tough case or a thick screen protector that covers even a little bit of the Face ID sensors, you might want to take them off.

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Fix #5. Make sure your face is not blocked

Face ID might not work if you have a mask, veil, or other pieces of clothing on your face, depending on the model of your iPhone. Face ID works best when you don't have anything in front of your face. If you don't have an Apple Watch and you have to wear a mask or veil, you may have to enter the iPhone passcode by hand.

Fix #6. Make sure you're facing the camera correctly

Face ID only works on an iPhone with iOS 15 or earlier that is held in portrait mode. So, if Face ID doesn't work when you're in bed, try to unlock the phone while it's in portrait mode. Make sure you have the right grip.

Also, don't hold the iPhone too close or too far away from you. Hold it far enough away from your face that it doesn't bother you.

Fix #7. Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is one of the simplest and most effective ways to fix problems with Face ID. There are two steps to restarting. The first is to turn off your iPhone. The second is to turn it back on after a minute.

After you do this, the parts of Face ID that stopped working before should now work perfectly. But the first time you unlock your iPhone after doing this, you will need to enter your passcode again.

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Fix #8. Reset Face ID

When Face ID doesn't work or isn't available, you might need to reset it. If you do this, the saved face will be deleted, and you will have to set it up again.

To reset your iPhone's Face ID:

1. Go to Settings, then tap on Face ID & Passcode, and then Reset Face ID.

2. Tap on Reset Face ID. 

3. Restart your iPhone

3. Go to Settings then tap on Face ID & Passcode and set up Face ID and the passcode again.

Fix #9. Contact Apple Support

If you dropped your iPhone on a hard surface recently, the Face ID sensors could be damaged. Because of this, it might not work at all, crash on the setup screen, or be unavailable. iPhones with Face ID are mostly waterproof. Face ID might not work, though, if your iPhone was submerged for a long time. If either of the above applies to you, you might want to call Apple Support and make an appointment to come to the store.

Final Thoughts

So that's how to fix the Face ID not working on your iPhone. Apple's Face ID is a great feature that replaces the Touch ID fingerprint system. It lets users unlock their devices or payments quickly and intuitively.