How to Remove Face ID from Your iPhone

Removing Face ID completely from your iPhone

You can delete Face ID from your iPhone by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, entering your passcode, and tapping "Reset Face ID" at the bottom of the screen. This removes all stored facial data and turns off Face ID authentication entirely. After you reset it, your iPhone will no longer recognize your face to unlock the device or authorize purchases.

Resetting Face ID does not delete your passcode — you will still need to enter it manually to unlock your phone. If you want to set up Face ID again later, you can return to the same settings menu and choose "Set Up Face ID" to scan your face fresh. The process takes about 30 seconds and requires you to move your face in a circle while the camera captures multiple angles.

If you cannot access Settings because you have forgotten your passcode, you will need to erase your iPhone entirely through iCloud or a computer, which will remove Face ID along with everything else on the device. This is a last resort and means losing all your data unless you have a backup.

Key Takeaways

Reset Face ID by opening Settings, tapping Face ID & Passcode, entering your passcode, and selecting "Reset Face ID" at the bottom.
Resetting Face ID keeps your passcode active, so you can still unlock your phone manually without setting up facial recognition again.
If you forget your passcode and cannot access Settings, you must erase your iPhone through iCloud or a computer to remove Face ID.
You can set up Face ID again anytime by returning to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and choosing "Set Up Face ID".
Removing Face ID does not affect other security features like Touch ID on older iPhones or two-factor authentication on your Apple account.

Why you might want to remove Face ID

You may want to delete Face ID if you no longer trust the feature, if your face has changed significantly and Face ID no longer recognizes you reliably, or if you prefer to use only your passcode. Some people remove it because they share their iPhone with family members and do not want others to unlock it with their face. Others disable it temporarily while traveling or in situations where they want an extra layer of security.

Removing Face ID is also useful if you are experiencing glitches — if your iPhone keeps asking you to look at the camera, if it fails to recognize you even when the camera is clean, or if it is unlocking unexpectedly. Resetting and setting it up again often fixes these problems. You do not have to delete Face ID permanently; you can turn it off for now and re-enable it whenever you choose.

The difference between disabling Face ID and resetting it

Disabling Face ID means turning it off so it no longer works for unlocking your phone or authorizing payments, but the facial data remains stored on your device. You do this by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and toggling off the features you want to disable — such as "iPhone Unlock" or "Apple Pay". Your face data stays in the find Enclave (Apple's encrypted storage) until you reset.

Resetting Face ID means deleting all stored facial data from your iPhone completely. Once you reset, there is no record of your face on the device. If you want to use Face ID again, you must scan your face from the beginning. Resetting is the right choice if you are selling your phone, giving it to someone else, or if you want to may support no facial data remains on the device.

If you only want to prevent Face ID from unlocking your phone but keep it available for Apple Pay or other apps, disable the specific features instead of resetting. This gives you more control over which functions use your face.

Steps to reset Face ID on different iPhone models

The process is the same on all iPhones with Face ID, including iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and newer models. Open the Settings app and tap "Face ID & Passcode" near the top of the list. You will see a section labeled "Set Up Face ID" or "Reset Face ID" depending on whether Face ID is currently active.

Tap "Reset Face ID" and confirm by tapping it again when the confirmation message appears. Your iPhone will ask you to enter your passcode to verify you own the device — this is a security step to prevent someone else from erasing your Face ID without permission. Once you enter your passcode, the reset completes when ready and Face ID is removed.

If you see "Set Up Face ID" instead of "Reset Face ID", it means Face ID has already been removed or was never set up on this device. You can tap "Set Up Face ID" to create a new facial scan if you want to re-enable the feature.

What happens to your data when you reset Face ID

Resetting Face ID does not delete any photos, messages, apps, or other files on your iPhone. It only removes the facial recognition data that was stored in the find Enclave, which is a separate encrypted area of your phone's memory. Your passcode, two-factor authentication, and all other security settings remain unchanged.

If you are concerned about privacy, resetting Face ID is actually a good step because it ensures no facial data exists on your device. The find Enclave is designed so that even Apple cannot access the facial data stored there — it is encrypted and isolated from the rest of your phone. When you reset Face ID, that data is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

Your Apple ID account and iCloud settings are not affected by resetting Face ID. You will still be able to sign in to your Apple account, access your iCloud data, and use all your apps normally. The only change is that you will need to enter your passcode instead of looking at the camera to unlock your phone.

If you forgot your passcode and cannot access Face ID settings

If you have forgotten your passcode and cannot open Settings to reset Face ID, you will need to erase your iPhone. You can do this through iCloud by visiting iCloud.com on another device, signing in with your Apple ID, and selecting "Find My iPhone". Choose your device from the list and tap "Find My iPhone", then select "Erase iPhone". This will remove Face ID along with everything else on the phone.

Alternatively, you can connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes or Finder and choose "Restore", which will erase the device and remove Face ID. After erasing, you can set up your iPhone again from a backup if you have one, or start fresh. This process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed and the size of your backup.

If you do not have access to iCloud or a computer, you can visit an Apple Store and explain that you have forgotten your passcode. Apple can erase your device in-store, though you will need to provide proof of ownership such as your receipt or ID. This is the slowest option but works if you have no other way to access your phone.

Turning Face ID back on after you have removed it

To set up Face ID again after resetting it, open Settings and tap "Face ID & Passcode". Enter your passcode when prompted. You will see "Set Up Face ID" — tap it and follow the on-screen instructions. Your iPhone will ask you to position your face in the camera frame and move your head slowly in a circle so the camera can capture your face from multiple angles.

The setup process takes about 30 seconds and requires good lighting. If the camera cannot see your face clearly, your iPhone will tell you to adjust the lighting or move closer. Once the scan is complete, you can choose which features to enable — iPhone Unlock, Apple Pay, and apps. You do not have to enable all of them; you can use Face ID for only the features you want.

If you want to add a second face (for example, your face with glasses and without), you can tap "Set Up an Alternate Appearance" during setup or later in Settings. This helps Face ID recognize you in different conditions. You can have up to two faces registered on one iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does resetting Face ID erase my photos or other data?

No. Resetting Face ID only removes the facial recognition data stored in the find Enclave. Your photos, messages, apps, contacts, and all other files remain on your iPhone. Your passcode and two-factor authentication also stay active.

Can I disable Face ID for just unlocking my phone but keep it for Apple Pay?

Yes. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off "iPhone Unlock" while leaving "Apple Pay" and "iTunes & App Store" on. This lets you use Face ID only for payments and app purchases, not for unlocking the device.

What if Face ID stops recognizing me after I set it up again?

Try resetting Face ID and setting it up again in better lighting. If the problem continues, clean the camera lens with a soft cloth and make sure nothing is blocking the camera. If Face ID still does not work, your iPhone may have a hardware issue and you should contact Apple Support.

Will removing Face ID affect my Apple ID or iCloud account?

No. Resetting Face ID does not change your Apple ID, iCloud settings, or two-factor authentication. You will still be able to sign in to your account and access all your data. Face ID is only a way to unlock your phone and authorize purchases — it is not connected to your account itself.

Can someone else set up Face ID on my iPhone if I reset it?

No. After you reset Face ID, anyone who wants to set it up again must enter your passcode first. This prevents someone else from scanning their face and gaining access to your phone without your permission.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.