How to turn on fingerprint payments for apps
Your iPhone 11 can use your fingerprint to approve payments inside apps instead of typing your password each time. This works through Face ID or Touch ID — iPhone 11 has Face ID built in, which scans your face. When you buy something in an app, your phone asks you to look at the screen or touch the home button, and the purchase goes through if your face or fingerprint matches what's stored.
The setup happens in two places: first you confirm Face ID is turned on in your phone's settings, then you tell individual apps they're allowed to use it. Most apps ask permission the first time you try to buy something. If an app doesn't ask, you can give permission manually through your phone's settings.
This only works for purchases inside apps — not for payments to websites in Safari. For those, you'd use Apple Pay instead, which is a separate process.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 11 uses Face ID (not a fingerprint reader) to approve app purchases, so your phone scans your face when you buy something.
- Face ID must be turned on in Settings > Face ID & Passcode before any app can use it for payments.
- Most apps ask permission to use Face ID the first time you make a purchase, and you tap Allow.
- If an app never asks, you can manually allow it through Settings > [App Name] > Face ID.
- Turning off Face ID in your phone settings stops all apps from using it, even if they have permission.
Check that Face ID is set up and turned on
Before any app can use your face to approve payments, Face ID itself has to be active on your phone. Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode. Your phone will ask for your passcode. If you see a screen that says "Set Up Face ID," your phone doesn't have a face stored yet — follow the on-screen steps to scan your face. If you see "Face ID is set up," it's already working.
Scroll down on this same screen and look for the line that says "iTunes & App Store." Make sure the toggle next to it is turned on (it will be green). This is what lets apps use Face ID for purchases. If it's off, tap it once to turn it on.
If you don't see "iTunes & App Store" listed, your Face ID setup is incomplete. Go back and finish the setup process, then check again.
Allow an app to use Face ID when it asks
The easiest way to give an app permission is to let it ask you. Open the app, find something you want to buy, and tap the purchase button. Your phone will show a popup that says something like "Allow '[App Name]' to use Face ID?" Tap Allow.
After you tap Allow, your phone will ask you to look at the screen so it can scan your face. Hold the phone in front of your face at a normal distance and let the scan finish. Once it recognizes you, the purchase goes through.
The next time you buy something in that same app, your phone will scan your face again without asking — it remembers that you said yes.
Manually allow Face ID for an app that doesn't ask
Some apps don't prompt you to use Face ID, even though they could. You can turn it on yourself through your phone's settings. Open Settings and scroll down until you find the app's name. Tap it, then look for a line that says "Face ID" or "In-App Purchases." If you see it, make sure the toggle is turned on (green).
Not every app has this option — only apps that support Face ID for purchases will show it. If you don't see Face ID listed for an app, that app doesn't support it yet, and you'll have to type your password when you buy.
If you turn on Face ID for an app but the app itself doesn't support it, nothing will change — the app will still ask for your password. This is normal and means the app's developer hasn't added Face ID support.
What to do if Face ID doesn't work during a purchase
If your phone tries to scan your face and fails, it will ask you to try again. If it fails a second time, your phone will ask for your Apple ID password instead. Type it in and the purchase goes through. This doesn't turn off Face ID — it just means the scan didn't work that one time.
Face ID can fail if the lighting is too dark, if you're wearing sunglasses or a hat that covers your eyes, or if your face is at an unusual angle. Try again in better light or remove anything covering your face.
If Face ID keeps failing even in good light, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap "Reset Face ID," then set it up again. This usually fixes the problem.
Turn off Face ID for payments if you want to
If you decide you don't want apps to use Face ID for purchases, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and turn off the toggle next to "iTunes & App Store." All apps will stop using Face ID when ready, and your phone will ask for your password instead when you buy something.
You can also turn off Face ID for just one app without affecting others. Go to Settings, find the app's name, and turn off the Face ID toggle for that app only. Other apps will still be able to use Face ID.
Turning off Face ID for payments does not delete your face from your phone — it just stops apps from using it for purchases. You can turn it back on anytime by flipping the toggle back on.
Understand what Face ID can and cannot do for app payments
Face ID for app purchases only works inside apps — not on websites you visit through Safari. If you're buying something on a website, you'll use Apple Pay or type your password instead. Face ID also only works for purchases, not for logging into apps with your username and password.
Your face data never leaves your phone. Apple doesn't store it on their servers or share it with app makers. When an app asks to use Face ID, it's really asking your phone to scan your face and confirm it matches — the app never sees the actual scan.
Face ID works even if your phone is locked. You don't have to unlock it first to make a purchase. Your phone will scan your face, and if it matches, the purchase happens right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my face to buy things on my phone?
No. Face ID only recognizes your specific face. If someone else tries to look at the screen during a purchase, the scan will fail and your phone will ask for your password. Face ID is designed to work only for the person whose face is stored in the phone.
What happens if I change my appearance — like growing a beard or getting glasses?
Face ID adapts over time. It learns small changes to your face and keeps working. If you make a major change — like shaving off a long beard or getting very different glasses — it might fail a few times, but it will learn the new look. If it stops working entirely, you can reset Face ID in Settings and scan your face again.
Does Face ID work if my phone is in low light or if I'm wearing a mask?
Face ID works best in normal light, but it can work in dim light too. Masks block part of your face, so Face ID will fail if you're wearing one. Sunglasses usually don't block it because Face ID scans your eyes and the area around them, not just your face shape.
Can I use Face ID for payments if I have multiple faces set up on my phone?
iPhone 11 only lets you store one face. If you want a different person to be able to use Face ID on your phone, you'd have to delete the current face and set up theirs instead. You can't have two faces active at the same time.
What if I forget my Apple ID password and Face ID fails?
If Face ID doesn't work and you don't remember your Apple ID password, you can't complete the purchase. You'll need to reset your password through Apple's website or contact Apple Support. Until then, you won't be able to buy anything in apps on that phone.