Fix Face ID that is not working on an iPhone
Check support, settings, camera visibility, appearance, restart, and Face ID enrollment before treating the TrueDepth system as faulty.
Direct answer
The shortest reliable path.
Update iOS, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, and confirm that Face ID and the feature you are trying to use are enabled. Make sure nothing covers the TrueDepth camera and that your eyes, nose, and mouth are visible. Restart the iPhone, try one fresh Face ID enrollment, and seek Apple service if Face ID cannot be set up or the camera system reports a problem.
Official visual references
Match what you see before you act.
These visuals are tied to the cited support pages. Read each model scope and observation before using it as a match.
Face ID & Passcode feature controls
Face ID can work for one task while being disabled for another, so verify the switch for the exact action that fails before resetting enrollment.
- Look for
- Under Use Face ID For, confirm the affected feature is present and enabled; an app-only failure is not proof of a TrueDepth hardware fault.
- Applies to
- Apple’s iOS 18 example on an iPhone 16 Pro; available labels and features vary by iPhone model, region, and current iOS release.
TrueDepth camera area on a Face ID iPhone
Use the top camera area as the obstruction check; the unlocked padlock in Apple’s example is not a diagnostic result for another phone.
- Look for
- Look for a case edge, screen protector, smudge, finger, or palm covering the front camera area before changing Face ID data.
- Applies to
- Face ID-capable iPhone models; camera placement and supported orientation differ across generations and software versions.
System view
Check the whole path.
- 01Supported iPhone
- 02Face ID settings
- 03TrueDepth camera view
- 04Stored appearance data
- 05Authentication request
Scope before steps.
Face ID-capable iPhone models that fail to unlock, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, or complete Face ID setup.
Touch ID devices, forgotten passcodes, Activation Lock, app account recovery, or repair of the TrueDepth camera system.
Procedure
Do this in order.
- 01
Update and inspect Face ID settings
Install the latest available iOS update, then open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and verify that Face ID is set up and enabled for the affected feature.
- 02
Clear the TrueDepth camera view
Clean the front camera area, remove anything covering it, and hold the iPhone so your eyes, nose, and mouth are visible to the camera.
- 03
Restart and test again
Restart the iPhone, enter the passcode after startup, and test Face ID again in the same feature that failed.
- 04
Reset Face ID once
If the failure persists, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID, then complete a new enrollment.
Diagnostic matrix
Read the result, not the guess.
| What you see | Check next | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Face ID works for unlock but not one app or purchase type | Verify that the specific feature is enabled under Face ID & Passcode and check the app setting. | The TrueDepth system can authenticate; the failure is limited to permission or feature configuration. |
| Face ID works after removing a case or protector | Keep the TrueDepth camera area unobstructed and inspect the accessory fit. | The accessory was blocking the camera path rather than Face ID being defective. |
| A new Face ID enrollment cannot be completed | Note any onscreen camera or Face ID message and contact Apple Support. | The problem has moved beyond an old enrollment and may require service. |
Stop conditions
Know when not to keep changing things.
- Do not attempt to open or repair the TrueDepth camera assembly.
- Stop repeating Face ID resets after a clean enrollment also fails.
- Contact Apple if the camera is not working, Face ID cannot be set up, or the device reports that Face ID is unavailable.