iPhone Face ID not working? Try to fix it with these steps

There are few things more frustrating than trying to unlock yours iPhone or pay with Apple Pay only to have your phone ask for your passcode instead.

Fortunately, if Face ID isn’t working, there are a few easy steps you can take to fix it. You may need to reset Face ID or add an alternate appearance, both of which can be done quickly and easily from the iPhone’s settings menu.

But your first step should be to restart your iPhone—you’d be surprised how often turning your phone off and on can fix minor problems. You should also make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS by going to Settings menu touch general and choosing Software update. This way you can address errors and ensure the best possible performance.

If that doesn’t work, follow the steps below.

Read more: Forget the iPhone Flip. I want a foldable iPad instead

Watch this: iPhone 17 Rumors: What Analysts Think Apple Will Do Next

04:06 a.m

Wipe your iPhone’s front camera

To make sure your iPhone has a clear view of your face when using Face ID, try wiping the front camera. Apple recommends using a slightly damp, lint-free cloth and avoiding cleaning products when wiping your phone.

Set up an alternate appearance

Apple says Face ID automatically adapts to changes in your appearance. But if it’s having trouble recognizing you, try setting up an alternate appearance. Open up Settings menu, tap Face ID and password and enter your password when prompted.

Tap the option that says Set up an alternate appearance and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Reset Face ID

If that doesn’t work, try resetting Face ID by opening Settingschoosing Face ID and password, entering your password and tapping Reset Face ID.

Try changing certain settings

There are also a few settings you can try to change to Face ID and password section of iPhone settings menu which may solve your problem. For example, you might not have Face ID turned on for certain tasks like contactless payments or autofilling passwords. To check, make sure the green switch next to these options under Use Face ID to section of Face ID and password option in the settings menu is on.

You can also try turning off Attention Requirement for Face ID a setting that makes Face ID only work when you’re looking at the camera. However, leaving this setting is better for security as it ensures that you are intentionally unlocking your phone or authenticating a payment.

For more iPhone tips and tricks, check out our list of best hidden features in Apple’s latest iOS 18.2 update.