Face ID Not Working On iPhone Or iPad? Here Are 8 Possible Fixes

Face ID on Apple Inc.’s devices, encompassing iPhone and iPad Pro, offers an easy to use and all-in-one authentication solution for device access, app logins, and purchase approvals.

However, encountering issues with Face ID functionality can be frustrating. The good news is that fixing Face ID problems is generally straightforward and requires minimal effort. This guide has a variety of easy-to-follow solutions, each involving just a few steps, to swiftly restore your Face ID functionality.

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Does My iPhone or iPad Support Face ID? Apple's Face ID is available on all iPhones launched after 2017 except the iPhone SE – essentially, iPhone X and later use Face ID biometric authentication. As such, most iPhone users are likely using Face ID.

Face ID is also available on the iPad Pro 11-inch 1st and 2nd generation and iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd and 4th generation.

What To Do If Face ID Is Not Working

Try these troubleshooting tips to fix Face ID on your iPhone or iPad.

Make Sure Face ID Is Enabled

The first step is to ensure Face ID is set up and enabled. Apple allows you to enable Face ID for different uses selectively, so if it is not working while making payments, for example, make sure you have enabled it.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Face ID & Passcode.
2. Check the list of actions Face ID is enabled for. You can also manually enable or disable Face ID for apps that support it.

Improve Face ID Recognition With An Alternate Appearance

Although Face ID continuously learns how you look, you can improve recognition instantly by setting up an alternate appearance.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Face ID & Passcode.
2. Tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to save the new appearance.

Make Sure Nothing Is Blocking The TrueDepth Camera

Your iPhone or iPad uses the TrueDepth Camera for Face ID recognition. If you face Face ID issues, one of the reasons could simply be a case of a dirty lens due to smudges or something physically blocking the camera, like a case or a protector or a shattered screen.

Keep Your Face Unblocked

Another likely reason for faulty Face ID could be a blocked face, eyes, nose, and mouth, either partially or fully. If you wear a mask, make sure you set up the ‘Face ID with a Mask' feature.

Accessories like sunglasses, hats, glasses, scarves, and others should pose no issues, but if you wear sunglasses with a mask, your iPhone or iPad may have some trouble since they require a clear view of your eyes and the surrounding area when a mask is on.

Keep Your Device Software Up To Date

It is always recommended to keep your device software up to date. Apple constantly issues software updates to improve security and fix bugs.

1. Open Settings > General and tap Software Update.
2. Now tap Download and Install.

Restart Your Device

Another simple fix for most issues is restarting the device. Restart your iPhone or iPad, and then try using Face ID again.

Reset Face ID

If you are still unable to use Face ID or if it is unable to detect your face in some situations, you might want to try resetting Face ID and setting it up again.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Face ID & Passcode.
2. Now tap Reset Face ID.
3. Next, tap Set Up Face ID.

Check If Face ID Hardware Is Malfunctioning

Another possible reason for Face ID issues could be a hardware malfunction.

To check if there is a hardware issue with the TrueDepth Camera, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > General > About > Parts and service history.
2. If your Face ID hardware has an issue, you might see an "unknown part" or "Face ID issue detected" error.

In this case, you might have to contact Apple Support and send in your device for repair.

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