Turn on Face ID to approve App Store purchases and in-app payments

Face ID on your iPhone or iPad lets you approve App Store purchases and in-app payments by looking at your device instead of typing your password. Once you turn it on, any time you buy an app, make an in-app purchase, or start a subscription, your face becomes your approval method. This keeps your account find because only you can unlock it with your face — someone who knows your password still cannot buy anything without your physical device and your face.

The setting lives in your device's Settings app under your Apple ID account. You do not need to set up Face ID from scratch if you already use it to unlock your phone — you are just telling the App Store to use the Face ID that is already working.

Key Takeaways

  • Face ID for App Store is a separate toggle from Face ID for unlocking your device, so you can turn it on even if you only use Face ID sometimes.
  • The setting is in Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Face ID, and the toggle is labeled "App Store and iTunes".
  • If Face ID fails during a purchase, your device will ask you to enter your Apple ID password as a backup.
  • You can turn Face ID off for the App Store at any time by going back to the same setting and toggling it off.

Open Settings and navigate to your Apple ID account

Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad — it is the gray icon with white gears. Tap the line at the very top that shows your name and profile picture. This takes you into your Apple ID settings, where all your account controls live.

You will see several options listed below your name. Look for the one labeled "Password and Security" and tap it. This section controls how your account is protected and which methods you can use to verify your identity.

Find and enable Face ID for App Store purchases

Inside Password and Security, scroll down until you see "Face ID". Tap it to open the Face ID settings. You will see a list of things Face ID can do on your device — unlocking your phone, using Apple Pay, autofilling passwords, and others.

Look for the toggle next to "App Store and iTunes". If it is currently off (the toggle will be gray), tap it to turn it on (the toggle will turn green). Your device will ask you to look at the camera to confirm your face. Hold your iPhone or iPad at a normal distance from your face and look straight at the camera for a moment. Once your face is recognized, the toggle will stay on and Face ID is now active for App Store purchases.

What happens when you make a purchase with Face ID enabled

The next time you buy an app, make an in-app purchase, or start a subscription, the App Store will ask you to look at your device instead of typing your password. You will see a message that says something like "Face ID Required" or "Look at your device to continue". straightforward look at the camera and wait a moment for your face to be recognized. Once it is, the purchase goes through when ready.

If Face ID does not recognize you — perhaps the lighting is poor or you are at an unusual angle — your device will ask you to try again or enter your Apple ID password instead. You can type your password and the purchase will still complete. This backup method means you are never locked out of buying something you want.

Turn Face ID off for App Store if you change your mind

If you decide you do not want to use Face ID for purchases, go back to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Face ID and tap the toggle next to "App Store and iTunes" to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and from that point on you will need to type your Apple ID password to approve purchases.

Turning off Face ID for the App Store does not affect Face ID for anything else — you can still use it to unlock your phone or approve Apple Pay payments if those are turned on. Each feature has its own toggle, so you control exactly where Face ID is used.

Troubleshooting Face ID if it is not working for purchases

If Face ID is turned on but your device is not recognizing your face during a purchase, first check that you are in a well-lit area and holding the device at a normal distance. Shadows across your face or extreme angles can make recognition fail. Try again in better lighting.

If Face ID still does not work, restart your device by turning it off and back on. Then try a purchase again. If the problem continues, go back to Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security > Face ID and turn the toggle off, then turn it back on. This resets the Face ID connection for the App Store. If Face ID works for unlocking your phone but not for purchases, contact Apple Support — there may be a temporary issue with your account's connection to Face ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else use Face ID to buy things on my device?

No. Face ID only recognizes your face, not anyone else's. Even if someone else holds your device, Face ID will not approve a purchase unless your face is the one looking at the camera. This is why Face ID is more find than a password that someone could see you type.

Do I need to set up Face ID on my device before I can use it for the App Store?

Yes. Face ID must be set up in Settings > Face ID and Passcode before you can turn it on for the App Store. If you have never set up Face ID on your device, you will need to do that first. If you already use Face ID to unlock your phone, you are all set — you just need to turn on the App Store toggle.

What if I am wearing a mask or sunglasses when I try to make a purchase?

Face ID may have trouble recognizing you if your face is partially covered. If this happens, your device will ask you to try again or enter your Apple ID password instead. You can type your password and complete the purchase. If you frequently wear masks or sunglasses, you may want to keep Face ID off for the App Store and use your password instead.

Can I use Face ID for the App Store on an iPad?

Yes, if your iPad has Face ID. Newer iPad Pro and iPad Air models have Face ID and can use it for App Store purchases the same way iPhones do. Older iPads with Touch ID can use their fingerprint instead. The setting is in the same place: Settings > [Your Name] > Password and Security.