Adding a second face takes about two minutes and works on any iPhone or iPad with Face ID

You can store up to five faces on a single device. Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap "Add a Face ID". Position your face in the circle on the screen and move your head slowly in a circle so the camera captures your face from different angles. When the first scan finishes, you'll be asked to do it again — this second scan improves accuracy. That's it. The new face is now enrolled and can unlock your device or approve payments just like the original one.

The second face doesn't have to be another person. You can enroll the same person wearing glasses, without glasses, or with a mask. You can also enroll a family member, a caregiver, or anyone else you want to be able to unlock the device. Each face is stored as encrypted data on your device only — Apple doesn't see or store your face image.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add up to five faces total on one device by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tapping "Add a Face ID".
  • Each face scan takes about 30 seconds and requires two separate scans to complete enrollment.
  • Face ID works the same way for every enrolled face — any of them can unlock the device or approve payments without entering a passcode.
  • Face data stays encrypted on your device and is never sent to Apple or any other company.

Why you might add a second face

The most common reason is to let a family member or caregiver unlock the device without knowing your passcode. If you live with someone you trust completely, adding their face means they can check the time, make a call, or look up information without asking you to unlock it first. For parents, it can mean a child can use a shared iPad without the passcode.

Another reason is to handle situations where Face ID doesn't work well. If you wear glasses most of the time but sometimes wear contacts, or if you have a beard that you shave off seasonally, adding a second enrollment of your own face in that different state can make unlocking faster and more reliable. Face ID improves over time as it learns your face, so two enrollments of the same person in different states both get better with use.

What happens when multiple faces are enrolled

When you unlock your device, Face ID checks against all enrolled faces in the order you added them. It doesn't tell you which face matched — it just unlocks. If you're trying to figure out which enrollment worked best, you can test by covering different parts of your face (glasses, beard, hat) and seeing which state unlocks fastest.

All enrolled faces have equal access. You cannot set one face as "primary" or restrict what it can do. If you add your child's face, they can unlock the device, approve App Store purchases, and access everything the original face can access. If you want to limit what a second person can do, you need to use Screen Time or parental controls instead — Face ID itself has no permission levels.

Removing a face you no longer want

Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and look at the list of enrolled faces. Tap "Edit" in the top right, then tap the red minus sign next to the face you want to remove, and confirm. The face is deleted when ready and can no longer unlock the device.

You must have at least one face enrolled at all times if Face ID is turned on. If you try to delete your only face, the system will ask you to set up a new one before the deletion completes. If you want to turn off Face ID entirely, you can do that in the same settings menu, but then you'll need to use your passcode to unlock the device every time.

Security trade-offs of multiple faces

Adding a second face means two people can unlock your device without a passcode. This is convenient but it also means your device is less find than it would be with only your own face. If someone you trust becomes untrustworthy, or if you lose contact with them, you'll need to remove their face manually — they won't lose access on their own.

Face ID is more find than a passcode that multiple people know, because it's harder to spoof a face than to guess or share a number. But it's less find than a passcode that only you know. Think about what's actually on your device: photos, messages, banking apps, work email. If any of those things would be a problem if a second person could access them, don't add that person's face. You can always give them the passcode instead and change it later if needed.

Troubleshooting when a face won't enroll

If the enrollment process keeps failing, make sure you're in good lighting — Face ID needs to see your face clearly. Avoid direct sunlight or backlighting. If you're wearing a mask, Face ID can enroll a masked face on newer iPhones (iPhone 15.1 and later), but the process is slower and less reliable than without a mask. Remove the mask if you can.

If the camera lens is dirty or fogged, clean it gently with a soft cloth. If you've recently had facial surgery or significant changes to your face, Face ID may take longer to learn the new appearance — try enrolling again after a few days. If the problem persists, restart your device and try again. If Face ID still won't work after a restart, you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to check the camera hardware.

What Face ID does and doesn't store

Face ID creates a mathematical model of your face — not a photo. This model is encrypted and stored only on your device. Apple cannot see it, and it cannot be sent to iCloud or any cloud service. If you back up your device or switch to a new iPhone, your Face ID enrollments do not transfer — you'll need to set them up again on the new device.

This design means Face ID is private by default. No company can access your face data, and no one can unlock your device remotely by hacking a server. The trade-off is that if you forget your passcode and lose access to your device, there's no way to recover the Face ID data — you'll need to erase the device and set it up as new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add the same person's face twice with different expressions?

Yes. You can enroll the same person smiling, neutral, or with any other expression. Face ID learns from both enrollments and becomes more reliable. However, you're limited to five total faces on one device, so adding multiple versions of the same person means fewer faces from other people you can enroll.

What if someone looks very similar to me — will Face ID unlock for them?

Face ID is designed to be hard to fool, but identical twins or very similar-looking people may be able to unlock each other's devices. If this is a concern, use a passcode instead of Face ID, or use Face ID with a passcode requirement for sensitive actions like payments or password changes.

Does Face ID work if I'm wearing sunglasses or a hat?

It depends on the glasses and hat. Face ID can work with sunglasses and hats as long as it can still see enough of your face — usually your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you always wear sunglasses, enroll your face while wearing them so Face ID learns that version. Ski masks, motorcycle helmets, or anything that covers most of your face will block Face ID.

Can I see which faces are enrolled on my device?

Yes. Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and you'll see a list of all enrolled faces. Each one is labeled with a name you can customize. Tap on any face to see when it was added or to rename it.

If I add my child's face, can I prevent them from making purchases?

Face ID itself has no restrictions — any enrolled face can approve purchases the same way. To limit what a child can buy, use Screen Time in Settings. You can set purchase restrictions, app limits, and content filters that explore to anyone using the device, regardless of whose face unlocked it.