- If Face ID is not working on your iPhone running iOS 17, start by making sure it’s enabled in Settings for any features you want it to unlock.
- You can create a second appearance in Face ID so it has an easier time recognizing you.
- Check that nothing is covering the TrueDepth camera
- Make sure that your face isn’t blocked and that you’re facing the TrueDepth camera
Face ID is a biometric security feature that uses your face as a substitute for entering a password or passcode. With Face ID, you can sign into your iPhone and authorize purchases just by looking at your phone.
If Face ID malfunctions or stops working correctly, you won’t be able to unlock your iPhone, authorize Apple Pay transactions, autofill passwords, approve downloads, or sign in to apps with a gaze.
If you can’t set up Face ID or the facial recognition feature stops working randomly, becomes unavailable, won’t recognize your face anymore, or prompts you to enter a passcode instead, our troubleshooting tips will help you fix it.
These solutions apply to all iPhones running iOS 17.
Before you start troubleshooting, it’s worth noting that Face ID does not work in the following situations:
- The iPhone has just been turned on or restarted.
- The iPhone hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
- The passcode hasn’t been used to unlock the iPhone in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn’t unlocked the iPhone in the last 4 hours.
- The iPhone has received a remote lock command from FindMy.
- After five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
- After initiating power off / Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.
For some of you, your problems began after updating your your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 17. Because your Face ID was working before the update, you may assume that your Face ID problems are a software issue. You should definitely try the troubleshooting tips that can help with software related Face ID issues, however, if those don’t work for you, take a look at the Possible Hardware Issues section as well.
What to do if Face ID isn’t working on your iPhone in iOS 17
1. Check Your Face ID Settings
If Face ID doesn’t work after iOS 17 update, your problem might be an easy fix; either it was never enabled, or the update disabled Face ID for the app or feature you’re trying to unlock. Here’s how to check:
- Start the Settings app.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode. You will need to enter your passcode to get into this settings page.
- If you see the Reset Face ID option, Face ID is already set up on this device. Otherwise, choose Set up Face ID and follow the instructions.
- With Face ID set up, turn on iPhone Unlock, iTunes & App Store, Wallet & Apple Pay, Password AutoFill, and Other Apps under Use Face ID For section.
2. Make sure your iPhone is up to date
If Face ID is enabled but doesn’t seem to work properly, you might need to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Here’s how:
- Start the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Update Now.
3. Set up an alternate appearance
The Alternate Appearance option in Face ID settings is designed to let you capture two different versions of your face. This can come in handy if Face ID has trouble recognizing you when you wear certain kinds of glasses or head coverings.
- Start the Settings app.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode. You will need to enter your passcode to get into this settings page.
- Tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
- Follow the instructions to set up Face ID.
4. Make sure your Face ID camera isn’t blocked
Face ID uses iPhones TrueDepth Camera system. The system is made up of several components including a dot projector that illuminates your face with more than 30,000 tiny infrared dots as well as an infrared camera that detects those dots.
Because those components are spread out across the TrueDepth camera, the TrueDepth camera needs to have a clear and undisturbed view of your face. Make sure that the TrueDepth camera is clean and not covered or blocked by a case, screen protector or any other sort of obstacle. In particular, if you’re holding your iPhone in landscape mode, make sure your hand isn’t blocking the camera.
5. Don’t cover your face and look at the camera
According to Apple, Face ID requires that the TrueDepth camera sees your face or your eyes to unlock your device. If these elements are obscured, Face ID won’t work. Please make sure that you’re facing the TrueDepth camera for Face ID to work flawlessly .
6. Make Sure You’re Holding Your iPhone The Right Distance From Your Face
If Face ID is not working on your iPhone, you may be holding it too close or too far away from your face. Face ID works best when the iPhone is arm’s length or less from your face (25–50 cm away from your face.
Note: Face ID works in portrait and landscape orientation on all iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models. For earlier models, Face ID works on iPhone only when it’s in portrait orientation.
7. Restart your iPhone to reboot Face ID and other software
Sometimes an iPhone just needs to be rebooted — turning an iPhone off and then back on again can easily resolve seemingly difficult software problems. Here’s how:
- Press and hold down the side button and either the volume up button or volume down button.
- When the power slider appears, swipe the power button inside it to the right.
- Wait one to two minutes for the iPhone to completely shut down,
- Press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
8. Reset Face ID
When Face ID is not working on your iPhone, resetting the feature could fix the problem. Doing so will remove any saved faces, and you’ll need to set up Face ID again from scratch. Here’s how:
- Start the Settings app.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode. You might need to enter your passcode.
- Tap Reset Face ID.
- Tap Set Up Face ID.
- Hold your phone in portrait, or vertical, orientation and tap Get Started.
- Make sure your face is positioned inside the circular frame and move your head in a small circle so the camera can see the sides of your face all around.
- Tap Done.
9. Factory reset your iPhone
Now that you’ve ensured all the most basic settings are properly configured, if iMessage still isn’t turning on, try resetting your iPhone. This can flush out any corrupted data, crashed apps and other digital debris. For information on how to reset your iPhone and make sure you don’t lose any important data, check out our article on factory resetting your iPhone.
10. Possible Hardware Issues
There have been reports of hardware issues causing some of the Face ID problems. You might be thinking that its definitely not a hardware issue because your Face ID was working fine before updating. There is still a possibility that your hardware has been damaged since before updating. The hypothesis is that the hardware damage affects the ability of Face ID to create a new Face ID profile, but not its ability to recognize your face and compare it with a stored profile. First a little about how Face ID works and the hardware involved in setting up Face ID.
Face ID Hardware
Face ID uses iPhones TrueDepth Camera system. The system is made up of:
- Flood Illuminator
- Infrared Camera
- Front Camera
- Dot Projector
- Proximity Sensor
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Speaker and Microphone
The Face ID hardware consists of a sensor with three modules:
- Dot Projector – projects a grid of thousands of infrared (you can’t see it) dots on the users face.
- Flood Illuminator – shines infrared light at the face; which is how Face ID can work in the dark.
- Infrared Camera – takes an infrared picture of the user’s face and the grid of dots being projected onto their face.
If there is a hardware failure of any of these parts, Face ID may fail. Repair technicians have identified that although each of these parts has its vulnerabilities, the dot projector may be particularly vulnerable to damage. The dot projector is located on the back glass assembly. Here are some possibilities for how the dot projector may become damaged:
The dot projectors weld points may become damaged if the phone is dropped.
Water damage could cause a short in the power supply to one of the chips involved in the projector. Drop damage could also cause a short here.
The projector crystal uses lenses which could be damaged by dropping the phone.
Note that these are only some of the possibilities. Also note that, in my experience everyone drops their phone. It may be that with these delicate parts, it doesn’t take much of an impact to cause damage. Unfortunately, damage to these parts may not be easily repairable. We do suggest, however, that if you suspect hardware damage is the cause for your Face ID issues, you start by talking to someone at Apple Support, and then if recommended, take your device in (or send it in) for further assessment.
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