There are many potential uses for the Face ID feature on your iPhone. You can sign into apps, for instance, or authenticate purchases.
It’s exciting new technology, but if yours is malfunctioning, then it can be frustrating. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can do about a device with the iPhone Face ID not working.
The first thing you’ll need to do is check to see if your iPhone model supports Face ID.
Which iPhone Models Support Face ID?
Face ID technology for iPhones has been around for a while now. If you have iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or iPhone X, then you can set up and use Face ID on your phone. The various iPhone X models were the first iPhones to feature this technology standard.
Any of the iPhone 11s, 12s, 13s, and 14s have it. Any earlier models than the iPhone X do not have it.
How to Fix iPhone Face ID: Video Guide
We have posted multiple solutions below. You can also review our video guide to fixing Face ID.
Check for Any Updates
Once you have determined that your iPhone is one of the models that supports Face ID, you should check for any updates to iOS. Be sure to back up your iPhone by using iTunes or iCloud before you do any updates. You do not want to lose any of your data.
To back up your iPhone with iTunes, connect the device with a USB cable to a computer running the latest iTunes version. Pull up iTunes and look for the Device button that appears on the top left-hand side of the screen. Click Summary, and then Back Up Now.
To back up the iPhone with iCloud, you can connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network. Head to Settings, You Name, and iCloud. Hit iCloud Backup, and then Back Up Now. The process should take just a few seconds.
Now, you can check for any available iOS updates.
1. Plug your device into an outlet and connect to the internet using Wi-Fi.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Hit General.
4. If you see there’s a software update, hit Install. You may see a message that tells you to temporarily remove apps because iOS needs additional space for the update. You can tap Continue, assuming that you don’t mind reinstalling the apps later.
5. You can also tap Install Tonight if you would prefer that the update be installed while you’re sleeping. Just be sure to connect the iPhone to power when you go to bed.
6. Once you have installed the update, check to see if Face ID is fixed. If that hasn’t done the trick, move on to the next option.
Check Your Face ID Settings
Checking the Face ID settings on your iPhone can help you determine whether the phone is configured so you can use this feature.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Head to Face ID & Passcode.
3. Check to see if Face ID is set up correctly. You should also check to see if the features for which you’re trying to use Face ID, such as iPhone Unlock or Apple Pay, are turned on.
What to Do if Face ID is Not Set Up Yet
If you haven’t set up the phone’s Face ID component yet, you need to do that before you can use any of the features with which it is associated.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Head to Face ID and Passcode. You should enter your passcode there when prompted to do so.
3. Tap where it says Set Up Face ID.
4. Make sure that you’re holding your iPhone in portrait orientation position. Position your face in front of the device, then hit Get Started.
5. Position your face so that it’s entirely inside the frame. Gently move your head, completing the circle. If you’re not able to move your head as dictated, tap Accessibility Options.
6. When you finish the Face ID scan, tap Continue.
7. Gently move your head around, completing the second circle.
8. Tap Done. If you have not yet set a passcode, then you will be prompted to do so at this time. It’s an alternate way of verifying your identity in case the Face ID feature ever malfunctions.
Check to See if the TrueDepth Camera is Covered
If you have gotten to this point and tried the options we mentioned, but Face ID is still not working, then you should check to see if the TrueDepth camera is obstructed in any way. That is what the iPhone uses for this feature.
The TrueDepth camera is located on the front of your iPhone, near the top. If your phone is in a case or there’s a screen protector on it that’s blocking the camera, then you will need to remove it for this feature to work correctly. Also, check for any dirt, grime, or other buildups.
You should also check to see if the camera is in Landscape mode. If it is, then make sure your palm or finger is not blocking it when you’re trying to use it.
If that is what’s happening, look for the alert at the top of the screen that says “Camera Covered,” with the arrow pointing in the direction of the TrueDepth camera.
Make Sure Your Face is Uncovered
You should next check to make sure that nothing is covering your face which is keeping the TrueDepth camera from recognizing you. Your eyes, nose, and mouth must all be fully visible to the camera.
The Face ID feature works with many kinds of sunglasses, but not all of them. If you’re wearing sunglasses intended to block particular types of light, for instance, then they may be blocking the infrared light that the TrueDepth camera uses. Remove your sunglasses to see if that does the trick.
Face the TrueDepth Camera Directly
If that hasn’t solved the problem, check that you’re facing the TrueDepth camera directly. Face ID can only work when the camera is in Portrait orientation, and you are squarely facing it.
Think of the TrueDepth camera as having the same range of view as if you were doing a FaceTime call or taking a selfie. Your iPhone should be about 10-20 inches from your face, or about an arm’s length, for this technology to work.
Add on an Alternate Appearance
Face identification should learn to recognize you even if you change aspects of your appearance. Still, if you look vastly different, like if you’ve grown a heavy beard, for example, then you can set up an alternate appearance feature so that Face ID still recognizes you.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Go to Face ID and Passcode. Enter your passcode when prompted.
3. Hit Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
4. Look straight into the iPhone and make sure that your face is inside the frame.
5. Gently move your head so that the circle is completed. If you cannot move your head, hit Accessibility Options.
6. When the first facial scan is finished, hit Continue.
7. Move your head to complete the circle a second time.
8. When Face ID setup indicates the process is finished, hit Done.
Reset Face ID Mode
If you’ve tried everything that we mentioned and nothing has worked so far, the time has probably come to reset the Face ID feature.
1. Go to Settings.
2. Go to Face ID and Passcode.
3. Hit Reset Face ID.
4. Hit Set Up Face ID and set it up again according to the directions detailed earlier.
Let’s say you’ve gone through every one of these steps and nothing has been successful. Maybe you’re seeing a message on your device that says “Face ID is Not Available” or “Unable to Activate Face ID on this Phone.” If so, then the time has come to contact Apple Support.
Explain to them everything that you’ve done to fix the problem and see if they have any suggestions. It seems likely they’ll want you to take the device to a Genius Bar to get it looked over. It could be something having to do with the hardware that needs to be replaced.
If so, you can probably get that done for free if the iPhone is still under the standard warranty or an extended warranty. If your warranty has expired, you’ll just have to hope that this will not be a very expensive fix. If the repair costs are expensive, it may be more cost-effective to upgrade your phone through your carrier or sell your iPhone to fund the purchase of a new, used, or refurbished iPhone.