What to Do If Face ID Not Available on iPhone/iPad

Samuel Spenser Published on July 17, 2025Unlock iOS3-min reading

"I updated my iPhone 17 to iOS 26 last night. Since then, my Face ID is not working. What should I do?" Face ID is an advanced biometric technology on iPhones and iPad devices. It enables you to unlock your device without having to enter your lock screen passcode repeatedly. However, the Face ID Not Available error is a common problem. This article explains why this error occurs and how to fix it quickly.

In this article:

Part 1: Why Face ID Is Not Available
Part 2: How to Fix Face ID Not Available
Part 3: How to Remove Unavailable Face ID on iPhone/iPad

Part 1: Why Face ID Is Not Available

Face ID works via both software and hardware. Fortunately, the problem with Face ID is usually due to something wrong with the software. The main reasons why your iPhone says Face ID Not Available include:

1. Obstructed TrueDepth Camera.

2. Incorrect positioning.

3. Software glitches.

4. Conflict settings.

Part 2: How to Fix Face ID Not Available

Solution 1: Check Face ID Settings

If your iPhone Face ID is not available, the first thing you need to do is check the relevant settings. Make sure to turn on iPhone Unlock for your Face ID. Otherwise, you cannot unlock your device with Face ID.

Step 1

Open the Settings app.

Step 2

Go to Face ID & Passcode.

Step 3

If prompted, enter your iPhone passcode.

Step 4

Locate the USE FACE ID FOR section and toggle on iPhone Unlock.

If the option is already enabled, toggle it off and turn it back on.

Solution 2: Update Your Software

The outdated software can lead to various problems, including Face ID is not available, try again later. The solution is simple: keep your software up to date. Here is the workflow to update your software.

Step 1

Run the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2

Go to the General tab.

Step 3

Tap Software Update to search for updates.

Step 4

If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Step 5

Follow the onscreen prompts to update your software.

Solution 3: Check the TrueDepth Camera

If your iPhone Face ID is not available, remove anything covering the TrueDepth Camera, like a phone case, screen protector, or a smudge. If you are using an iPad in landscape orientation, make sure that your finger isn‘t blocking the TrueDepth Camera.

Solution 4: Set an Alternate Appearance

Face ID matches your appearance with the data. If your appearance has changed or you start wearing glasses or a mask, you‘d better add an alternate appearance. So, Face ID can recognize you.

Step 1

Run your Settings app.

Step 2

Go to Face ID & Passcode.

Step 3

If prompted, type your passcode.

Step 4

Choose Set Up an Alternate Appearance.

Step 5

Tap Get Started, and choose Use Face ID with a Mask or Don‘t Use Face ID with a Mask, depending on your needs.

Step 6

Follow the onscreen instructions to scan your face.

Step 7

Finally, tap Done to confirm it.

Solution 5: Restart Your Device

Simply restarting your device might be enough if Face ID is not available at this time due to software glitches. That cleans caches and closes apps in the background. The workflow varies slightly depending on your device model.

Step 1

Press and hold either the Volume button and the Side button on iPhone X and above.

On iPhone 8 and earlier, hold the Side or Sleep/Wake button.

Step 2

When you see the power-off screen, release the button or buttons.

Step 3

Move the slider to the right side.

Step 4

Wait 30 seconds after your screen turns black.

Step 5

Then hold the Side or Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.

Solution 6: Reset Face ID

If you see a message that says Face ID not available, try setting up later, you‘d better reset your Face ID. That will remove all Face IDs on your device. Then, you can set it up again. That won‘t interrupt your data.

Step 1

Go to Face ID & Passcode in your Settings app.

Step 2

Enter your passcode if prompted.

Step 3

Tap Reset Face ID and confirm the action.

Step 4

Next, hit Set Up Face ID on the Face ID & Passcode settings screen.

Step 5

Follow the onscreen prompts to add your appearance.

Part 3: How to Remove Unavailable Face ID on iPhone/iPad

If you have tried the solutions above but Face ID is still not available, you will be locked out of your device. Luckily, imyPass iPassGo can help you solve the problem. It can remove Face IDs from your iPhone or iPad, allowing you to set it up again.

imyPass iPassGo

4,000,000+ Downloads

Bypass unavailable Face IDs from an iPhone or iPad quickly.

Don‘t require your passcode or Apple ID password.

Available in various situations, including a disabled device.

Support the latest models of iPhone and iPad.

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How to Remove Unavailable Face IDs from Your iPhone

Step 1

Link your devices
Launch the best Face ID removal tool after installing it on your PC. There is another version for Mac users. Link your iPhone or iPad to your PC using a Lightning cable. Choose the Wipe Passcode mode and click the Start button to proceed.

Step 2

Check your device information
Once your iPhone information is loaded, check it and click the Start button to begin downloading the firmware. It may take a while, depending on your network connection.

Step 3

Remove Face IDs
When the download finishes, click the Unlock button to move on. Enter 0000 and confirm the unlocking process. Wait for the process to complete, and then disconnect your device. Now, you can set up Face ID on your device. The whole process won't factory reset your iPhone or iPad.

Conclusion

This article explained what to do when you encounter a message that says Face ID is not available and try to set it up later. You can follow our solutions to get rid of the problem quickly. imyPass iPassGo is the ultimate solution to remove the old Face IDs from your iOS device. If you have other questions about this topic, please write them down below.

Samuel Spenser

Samuel is a senior editor from imyPass. He is an expert on password unlocking. He has over five years of experience writing tutorials on phone unlocking.