Is Face ID not working on your iPhone or iPad? It’s one of the common complaints about Apple. Sometimes, the camera can not correctly detect your face, or the default settings need adjustment. The good news is that you can easily fix this. One tip is to move the iPhone lower if the device does not recognize your face at the right angle.
The most common complaint is that Face ID does not work after updating. Some updates cause certain features to act up for a little while. Here are some quick ways to solve the problem. It might be just restarting your device, or there might be a new software update. If nothing seems to work, restarting Face ID settings may work.
Apple’s Face ID Technology
Apple’s Face ID utilizes advanced facial recognition to securely lock, authorize payments, and unlock applications on your iPhone. It reads the lines and curves of your eyes, nose, and mouth with its TrueDepth camera and checks to ensure it is you. In some cases, Face ID not working on an iPhone, particularly if your iPhone gets damaged or changed.
Here’s how Face ID works and why it might not
- If Face ID does not work after screen replacement, it can be caused by interference from the sensors coming from the new screen.
- Suppose Face ID is not working after water exposure. In that case, the moisture might damage the camera, and the facial scan will also be affected.
- Face ID may take some time to get a good look at your face, so its view must be clear. If something is obstructing the camera, clean it.
Reasons Why Face ID Isn’t Working
Several things may cause Face ID to malfunction, and among the common causes are dirt on the TrueDepth camera or smudges. Dirt can block the TrueDepth camera, so it will not work properly for a face scan. It is also possible that you dropped your phone. This will lead to a hardware malfunction that may cause Face ID not to work after a drop. Lastly, if your software is outdated, it may also cause some problems.
Sometimes, it just stops working if you recently changed your appearance. For instance, if your hairstyle has altered or you wear glasses, the system might need to clarify that. If you last used the iPhone long ago, the system may force you to enter your passcode. Such problems may create situations where Fidelity Face ID is not working, so you must troubleshoot them properly.
Ways to Fix Face ID Not Working
If Face ID doesn’t work on your iPhone, it’s frustrating. However, you can fix the issue on your own in several ways. Sometimes, Face ID will stop working due to software glitches, dirt in the camera, or other physical damage. Let’s try some easy ways to get Face ID up and running again.
1. Clean the Face ID Camera
Dirt or smudges on the TrueDepth camera might prevent Face ID from functioning. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe over the camera area and ensure that no object blocks it. This will solve many problems, especially if the iPhone X Face ID not working.
2. Restart Your iPhone
Restarting the device often resolves common known software issues. For this reason, you can switch off your iPhone and wait for approximately 10 seconds before turning it back on. This might solve the issue if the problem is a minor glitch. It could be because Face ID not working after a drop.
3. Upgrade Your iPhone Software
The other reason Fidelity Face ID does not work is its outdated software. Head to Settings>General>Software Update and search for any update that can be downloaded on your iOS. It can update to the latest one, which might help with Fidelity Face ID not working or other Face ID issues.
4. Review Face ID Settings
Ensure you have enabled Face ID for the features you want to use. Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and ensure that everything you want to do is activated, such as unlocking your phone or using Apple Pay.
5. Reset Face ID
If still Face ID not working, try to reset.
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID.
- Set it up from scratch and see if this has solved the problem.
6. Take Off Cases or Screen Protectors
Thick cases or screen protectors cover a part of your camera, so Face ID can’t read it. Removing the case or screen protector will get Face ID working right, so try it.
7. Contact Apple Support
If no other resolution is available, the cause may be hardware-based. Contact Apple Support first if you suspect that Face ID stopped working after you dropped it or experienced some other physical impact.
Face ID is a more convenient feature that unlocks your iPhone and makes secure payments much more efficient. However, it sometimes malfunctions, such as when it fails to recognize your face or gets blocked by dust.
If you see that the Face ID is not working or that there are other ID recognition problems, wait. Most issues are easy to solve. The camera may be dirty, settings may be wrong, or restarting your device will do the trick. But if none of these work, take it to Apple Support.
FAQ
My Face ID is not working. Why?
There are several reasons why Face ID could be failing. There might be dirt on the camera obstructing your view or simply because of partial coverage across your face. Try cleaning the camera and making sure that your whole face is exposed.
Will Face ID work if I wear a mask?
YES. You can use Face ID with a mask if you have an iPhone 12 or later model. You need to include the “Face ID with a mask” feature in the settings while you’re wearing it. To achieve the best results, ensure that there will be an adequate view of your eyes and surroundings.
What if my Face ID remains useless even after all these basic troubleshooting?
If all of the above has been done to no avail, then it is a hardware-related issue. Again, you’ll need to contact Apple Support to ask for help. They will guide you through step-by-step troubleshooting or set a check-up procedure if you need some parts of your gadget repaired.
