What Is Face ID on iPhone and How to Use It Properly

Samuel Spenser Published on April 30, 2026Unlock iOS3-min reading

Face ID refers to Apple's advanced facial recognition-based biometric system. When releasing the iPhone X, Apple added this system to iOS devices. It works through the hardware and software. It allows users to unlock their devices without frequently entering passcodes. By default, this system is disabled, and you must set it up correctly. This comprehensive guide explains Face ID and helps you to use it on your Apple device and other services.

In this article:

Part 1. What Is Face ID
Part 2. How to Set up Face ID on iPhone
Part 3. How to Add Another Face ID
Part 4. How to Use Face ID for App Store and More
Part 5. How to Reset Face ID
Part 6. What to Do If Face ID Is Not Working

Part 1. What Is Face ID

According to Wikipedia, Face ID is a biometric authentication facial-recognition system designed and developed by Apple for iPhone and iPad Pro. It can be used for unlocking an iOS device, making payments, accessing sensitive data, and more. This system was released in 2017 with the iPhone X. Since then, it has been updated and introduced to all iPhones outside of SE models and iPad Pro models from 2018 onwards. Since iOS 18, users can use Face ID on apps.

How does Face ID work? It works through both hardware and software. The TrueDepth camera is equipped on the top of your device, which consists of a sensor with three modules: a laser dot projector, a module called the flood illuminator, and an infrared camera. The laser dot projector projects more than 30,000 infrared dots onto the user's face. The TrueDepth camera scans the face and creates a 3D map of unique facial identity.

Advantages of Face ID

1.Face ID is fast, secure, and easy to use once set up.
2.You can use Face ID for iPhone unlock, App Store, payments, autofill, and apps.
3.You can frequently reset and set up Face ID.
4.Maximize the machine learning via the Neural Engine.

Disadvantages of Face ID

1.Face ID cannot recognize your face due to blocks, like hats.
2.It cannot identify twins or close relatives.
3.No laws prevent other parties from forcing individuals to access their devices.
4.Privacy concerns.

Does Face ID work in the dark? Yes. Unlike traditional facial recognition systems, Apple's Face ID uses infrared light and a sophisticated dot projector to scan your face in three dimensions. That enables secure and reliable authentication even in dark environments.

Does Face ID work with eyes closed? No, Face ID won't work when your eyes are closed. Eyes play a key role in Face ID's functionality. When you turn on Face ID, the system scans a detailed image of your eyes, including the shape, color, and distance.

Is Face ID safe? This system offers fast and secure phone unlocking, but it is not perfect if you are concerned about your privacy. According to the new regulations, face scans can be used against you, while passcodes cannot.

iPhone and iPad with Face ID

iPhone X and above, except iPhone SE models

iPad Pro 11-inch(1st to 4th)

iPad Pro 12.9-inch(3rd to 6th)

iPad Pro 11-inch(M4 and M5)

iPad Pro 13-inch(M4 and M5)

Face ID vs Passcode

Both Face ID and passcode are essential security measures for Apple mobile devices. However, they work differently. Face IDs are biometric IDs. Even if you use Face ID to unlock your device, you must set a digit passcode. Both of them are secure and able to protect your device from unauthorized access. However, in some cases, you can only unlock your iPhone or iPad with your passcode:

1.Your device has been turned on or restarted.
2.Your iPhone or iPad hasn't been unlocked for over 48 hours.
3.Your device has just been charged.
4.Your device has been locked remotely.
5.The passcode hasn't been used to unlock your device in the last six and a half days.
6.Your Face ID hasn't unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
7.After five unsuccessful attempts to match your face.
8.After initiating power off or Emergency SOS.

Part 2. How to Set up Face ID on iPhone

As mentioned previously, you have to set up Face ID on your iPhone or iPad to use it to unlock your device or access other services. The workflow is not very difficult, and we demonstrate it below:

Step 1

Open the Settings app from your home screen.

Step 2

Where is Face ID in Settings? Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode.

Step 3

Enter your lock screen passcode. If you don't have a passcode, you will be asked to set one first.

Step 4

Tap the Set Up Face ID button to proceed.

Step 5

When prompted, tap Get Started.

Step 6

Position your face for Face ID and follow the onscreen instructions to move your head.

Step 7

Once the scan is complete, you can select Use Face ID with a Mask or Don't Use Face ID with a Mask.

Step 8

Here, tap Set Up Later and hit Done to complete the basic Face ID enabling.

Note:

If you want to use Face ID with a mask, locate the Face ID & Passcode settings screen, and toggle on Use Face ID with a Mask. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to set it up.

Extended Reading:

Part 3. How to Add Another Face ID

Can you have multiple Face IDs? Currently, you can add two Face IDs on a single device. We suggest that you add a basic Face ID first. Then, you can add another Face ID with sunglasses or a mask, depending on your needs.

Step 1

Run your Settings app.

Step 2

Choose Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.

Step 3

Tap the Set Up an Alternate Appearance button.

Step 4

Hit the Get Started button.

Step 5

Follow the onscreen instructions to add another Face ID.

Step 6

When you are presented with Face ID is now set up, tap Done to confirm it.

Step 7

Optionally, if you want to use Face ID with sunglasses, toggle on Face ID with a Mask. Tap Add Glasses and scan your face with the mask and sunglasses again.

Step 8

To enhance the security of Face ID, go back to the Settings app.

Step 9

Choose the Accessibility option and tap Face ID & Attention.

Step 10

Toggle on Require Attention for Face ID and Attention-Aware Features.

Part 4. How to Use Face ID for App Store and More

Once set up Face ID, you can use Face ID for App Store, iPhone unlock, payments, and other services. More importantly, you can turn each option on and off according to your situation and needs.

How to Use Face ID for App Store

Step 1

Go to Face ID & Passcode in your Settings app.

Step 2

If prompted, enter your passcode.

Step 3

Locate the USE FACE ID FOR section.

Step 4

Toggle on iTunes & App Store if you want to use Face ID for App Store.

Step 5

Set up other options you want to use Face ID for.

How to Use Face ID for Apps

Step 1

Choose Face ID & Passcode in the Settings app.

Step 2

Type in your passcode if prompted.

Step 3

Tap Other Apps to put Face ID on apps.

Step 4

Then, toggle on the desired apps on the list.

How to Put Face ID on Messages

Step 1

Locate the Messages app on your home screen if you want to put Face ID on Messages.

Step 2

Press and hold the icon.

Step 3

Then, choose Require Face ID.

Step 4

When prompted, choose Require Face ID again.

Step 5

Now, your Messages app will be locked by Face ID.

Part 5. How to Reset Face ID

Once you add a Face ID, you cannot remove it. In other words, you can only add two Face IDs on your iPhone or iPad and cannot delete one separately. Alternatively, you have to reset Face ID and completely remove all Face IDs from your device. Furthermore, resetting Face ID is an indispensable step to fix Face ID not working.

Step 1

Start your Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2

Scroll down and tap the Face ID & Passcode option.

Step 3

Enter your device passcode when prompted.

Step 4

Next, tap the Reset Face ID button to remove current Face IDs immediately.

Step 5

Wait for the process to finish and activate Face ID to improve security and accuracy.

Part 6. What to Do If Face ID Is Not Working

As mentioned previously, if Face ID is not working, you can reset it and set up Face ID again. However, you may be locked out of your device if you forgot your passcode. The ultimate solution is imyPass iPassGo. It is able to remove any iPhone screen locks, including Face IDs without any restrictions. Furthermore, the user-friendly interface makes it easy to use for beginners.

Main Features of the Ultimate Way to Fix Face ID Not Working

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How to Remove Not Working Face ID from Your iPhone

Step 1

Install Face ID removal

Download and install the Face ID removal software on your PC from the official website. It is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7. There is another version for Mac users. Launch the software and choose the Wipe Passcode mode to proceed.

Connect your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning cable. If you link the two devices for the first time, tap Trust on your screen to trust this PC.

Step 2

Download the firmware

Once the software detects your device, click on the Start button to scan your iPhone. Then, you will be presented with your iPhone information. Check your device category, type, and model. If any option is wrong, correct it. Click on the Start button to begin downloading the firmware package. It may take a while, depending on your internet connection.

Step 3

Remove Face ID

Once the firmware download is complete, click the Unlock button to continue. Read the notification and confirm Face ID removal again. Next, type in 0000 to ensure the process. Then, the software will initiate iPhone unlocking immediately. When it is done, your iPhone will restart.

Note:

The process will factory reset your iPhone and erase all data on your device. You'd better back up your iPhone or iPad. Then, restore the backup to avoid data loss.

Conclusion

This guide explained how to set up Face ID on iPhone and iPad, as well as other information you should know. We shared how this system works, how to use it for iPhone lock and other services, and more. You can follow our guide to set up and use the facial recognition system on your iOS device. If your Face ID suddenly doesn't work, imyPass iPassGo can help you resolve this problem quickly.

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.