How to replace your Face ID with a new scan

To change Face ID on your iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, then tap Delete Face ID and confirm. After that, tap Set Up Face ID and follow the on-screen steps to scan your face twice—once in portrait and once in landscape. The whole process takes about a minute.

You might need to change Face ID if your face has changed significantly (surgery, major weight loss, or aging), if someone else needs to use your phone, or if Face ID stops recognizing you reliably. Unlike a password, you cannot straightforward edit Face ID—you have to delete the old scan and create a new one from scratch.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting and resetting Face ID requires your passcode, so have that ready before you start.
  • Face ID stores only a mathematical map of your face on your phone itself, not a photo, so changing it does not affect any stored images.
  • You can set up two Face IDs on the same iPhone by tapping Set Up an Alternate Appearance instead of deleting the first one.
  • If Face ID stops working after you change it, restart your iPhone and try the setup process again in good lighting.

Step-by-step: Delete and reset Face ID

Open Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode. You will be asked to enter your passcode—this is the security step that prevents someone else from locking you out of your own phone.

Once you are in, you will see Delete Face ID near the bottom of the screen. Tap it and confirm when prompted. Your old Face ID is now gone. Next, tap Set Up Face ID to begin the scan.

Position your face in the circle on the screen, about 10 to 12 inches away. Move your head slowly in a circle so the camera captures your face from different angles. You will see a progress ring fill as you move. When the first scan is complete, you will be asked to do it again—this second scan improves accuracy.

After both scans finish, tap Done. Your new Face ID is now active and ready to unlock your phone, authorize purchases, and sign into apps.

When to set up a second Face ID instead of replacing the first

If you want both you and another person to unlock the same iPhone with their face, you do not have to delete your Face ID. Instead, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance. This adds a second face scan to your phone without removing the first one.

Both faces will work equally well to unlock the phone and authorize payments. This is useful for a shared family device or if you want to set up Face ID for someone else who uses your phone regularly. You cannot add more than two faces to a single iPhone.

Why Face ID might stop working after you change it

The most common reason Face ID fails after a reset is poor lighting during the setup scan. If the room was too dark or you were backlit by a window, the camera may not have captured enough detail. Try again in natural light or with a lamp in front of you, not behind you.

If you wear glasses, sunglasses, or a mask during the setup but do not wear them normally, Face ID may struggle to recognize you later. The camera learns the face it scans, so if you change your appearance significantly after setup, recognition drops. You can improve this by tapping Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Attention Aware Features and toggling it off, which makes Face ID less strict about eye contact and gaze direction.

If Face ID still does not work after a second setup attempt, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and volume button together, then sliding to power off. Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. Then try Face ID again.

What Face ID stores and what happens when you delete it

Face ID does not store a photo of your face. Instead, your iPhone creates a mathematical model—a kind of digital map—of your face's unique features and stores it only on your phone, encrypted. When you delete Face ID, that map is erased completely and cannot be recovered.

No photos, no backups to iCloud, and no record sent to Apple. This is why you cannot undo a Face ID deletion—you have to scan your face again from the beginning. If you are worried about losing access, make sure you know your passcode before you delete Face ID, because your passcode is the only other way to unlock your phone.

Troubleshooting: Face ID setup fails or gets stuck

If the setup screen freezes or tells you to move your head more, check that your front camera lens is clean. Dust or a smudge can block the infrared sensors that Face ID uses. Wipe the top of your iPhone gently with a soft, dry cloth.

If the setup still stalls, make sure you are in a well-lit space and that nothing is covering your face—remove hats, sunglasses, or heavy makeup if you are wearing them during setup. Hold your iPhone at eye level and move your head slowly and deliberately in a full circle, not too fast.

If you get an error message like "Unable to Complete Face ID," restart your iPhone and try the setup again. If the problem continues, a hardware issue with the front camera may be present, and you should contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change Face ID without knowing my passcode?

No. Changing Face ID requires entering your passcode first, which is a security measure. If you have forgotten your passcode, you will need to reset your iPhone using a computer or iCloud, which erases all data. This is why keeping your passcode somewhere safe is important.

Does changing Face ID affect my photos or data?

No. Face ID is only a lock and authentication method. Deleting it does not touch your photos, messages, apps, or any other data on your phone. Only the face scan itself is removed.

What if my face has changed a lot since I set up Face ID?

If Face ID no longer recognizes you reliably after a major change—surgery, significant weight loss, or aging—delete and reset it using the steps above. The new scan will be more accurate for your current appearance. You can also tap Attention Aware Features and turn it off to make Face ID less strict.

Can I use Face ID if I wear glasses or a mask?

Face ID works with glasses and sunglasses if you wore them during setup. If you did not wear them during setup but wear them daily, Face ID may be less reliable. You can set up a second Face ID for your masked appearance by tapping Set Up an Alternate Appearance.

How long does it take to set up a new Face ID?

The actual scanning process takes about one minute. You perform two scans—one in portrait and one in landscape—and then Face ID is ready to use when ready. There is no waiting period or processing time.