What Face Recognition Does and Where to Find It

Face Recognition on iPhone is the system that unlocks your phone when it recognizes your face. It's called Face ID, and it works through a sensor on the front of your phone that maps your facial features. You can change how Face ID behaves, reset it entirely, or turn it off — all without losing access to your phone.

Face ID lives in Settings under Security. The exact path is: open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode. From there, you can adjust how the feature works or remove your face data entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • You can reset Face ID by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, tapping "Reset Face ID", and setting it up again with a new face scan.
  • If you want Face ID to work with a mask, glasses, or different lighting, you can add an alternate appearance in the same settings menu.
  • Turning off Face ID entirely means your phone will rely on your passcode instead — you can re-enable it anytime from the same menu.
  • If Face ID stops working after an iOS update or hardware issue, restarting your phone often fixes it before you need to reset.

Reset Face ID with a New Face Scan

The most common reason to change Face ID is that it no longer recognizes you reliably — usually because your appearance has changed, lighting conditions are different, or the sensor needs a fresh scan. Resetting it takes about a minute.

Open Settings, go to Face ID & Passcode, and enter your passcode. Scroll down and tap "Reset Face ID". Confirm the action. Then tap "Set Up Face ID" and follow the on-screen instructions. Hold your phone about 10 inches from your face, keep your head still, and slowly move it in a small circle so the camera captures your face from different angles. The phone will ask you to do this twice — once normally and once with your eyes closed or in different lighting.

When the setup is complete, Face ID will work when ready. If it still struggles after a reset, the issue may be the front camera itself, and you should contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Add an Alternate Appearance for Masks or Glasses

If Face ID works most of the time but fails when you wear a mask, glasses, or a hat, you can teach it a second version of your face. This is called an alternate appearance.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Alternate Appearance. Tap "Set Up Alternate Appearance" and scan your face again, this time wearing whatever you want Face ID to recognize — a mask, sunglasses, a winter hat, or all three. The phone will learn this variation and unlock for you in both states.

You can only add one alternate appearance per phone. If you need Face ID to work in many different conditions, the alternate appearance may not be enough, and you might prefer to use your passcode in those situations instead.

Turn Face ID Off Completely

If you want to stop using Face ID and rely only on your passcode, you can disable it without erasing anything. Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and scroll down to find the toggles for "iPhone Unlock" and "Apple Pay". Turn off whichever features you want to stop using Face ID for.

If you turn off "iPhone Unlock", your phone will ask for your passcode every time you want to unlock it. You can still use Face ID for other apps and services if you leave those toggles on, or you can turn them all off. To re-enable Face ID later, flip the same toggles back on — your face data is still stored and ready to use.

If you want to erase your face data entirely and not just disable the feature, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap "Reset Face ID". This removes all stored face scans and you cannot undo it without setting up Face ID again from scratch.

What to Do If Face ID Stops Working After an Update

Sometimes Face ID stops responding after your phone installs a new iOS version. Before you reset it, try restarting your phone first — this fixes the problem in most cases.

Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Side button together until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the Side button again until the Apple logo appears. Let your phone restart fully, then test Face ID.

If Face ID still does not work after a restart, check that the front camera lens is clean and not blocked. Wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth. If it still fails, reset Face ID as described above. If resetting does not help, the camera hardware may need service — contact Apple Support.

Change Which Apps Can Use Face ID

Face ID is not just for unlocking your phone. Apps like banking apps, password managers, and Apple Pay can ask to use Face ID instead of a passcode. You can control which apps have permission to use it.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and scroll to the section labeled "Apps Using Face ID". You will see a list of apps that have requested permission. Toggle any app off if you do not want it to use Face ID. The app will ask for your passcode instead the next time it needs to verify your identity.

You can also manage Face ID permissions inside individual apps. Open the app, go to its settings or security menu, and look for an option to turn off biometric unlock. This gives you fine control over which apps use Face ID and which do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two different faces set up on the same iPhone?

You can set up one primary face and one alternate appearance. If you need more than that — for example, to let a family member unlock the phone — you would need to use a passcode instead. Face ID is designed for one person per phone.

What happens to Face ID if I get plastic surgery or change my appearance significantly?

Face ID may stop recognizing you reliably after major changes to your face. Reset Face ID by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID, then set it up again with your new appearance. The phone learns your current face and forgets the old scan.

Does Face ID work if I am wearing sunglasses?

Face ID usually works with sunglasses, but some very dark or reflective lenses can block the infrared sensor. If sunglasses are a problem, add an alternate appearance while wearing them. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Alternate Appearance and scan your face with the sunglasses on.

Can I use Face ID if the front camera is cracked?

A cracked screen does not usually affect Face ID, but a damaged front camera will. If the camera lens itself is broken, Face ID will not work. You will need to use your passcode and contact Apple Support about camera repair.

What if I forget my passcode and Face ID is not working?

If both Face ID and your passcode are unavailable, you will need to restore your iPhone using a computer with iTunes or Finder, or use iCloud's Find My iPhone feature to erase and set up the phone remotely. This is why Apple recommends keeping your passcode in a safe place.