How to Turn Off Face ID on Your iPhone

You can disable Face ID in Settings, but the method depends on whether you want to turn it off temporarily or remove it entirely

Face ID stops working the moment you disable it in your iPhone's settings. The fastest route is Settings > Face ID & Passcode, where you can toggle Face ID off for specific apps or turn off the feature completely. If you forget your passcode first, you will not be able to access these settings — so write it down before you start.

The reason you might disable Face ID varies: you may want to use your passcode instead, you may be in a situation where your face is covered, or you may not trust the feature on your device. Whatever the reason, the process takes less than a minute and you can turn it back on the same way.

Key Takeaways

Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off "iPhone Unlock" to stop Face ID from unlocking your phone.
You can disable Face ID for individual apps like Apple Pay or banking apps while keeping it on for unlocking your phone.
If you disable Face ID and then forget your passcode, you will need to erase your iPhone and set it up again through recovery mode.
Disabling Face ID does not delete the face data stored on your phone — it just stops the feature from working until you turn it back on.

How to turn off Face ID completely

Go to Settings on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode. You will be asked to enter your passcode — this is the numeric or alphanumeric code you use to unlock your phone, not your Apple ID password. Once you enter it, you will see a list of toggles for what Face ID controls.

Tap the toggle next to "iPhone Unlock" to turn it off. Your iPhone will no longer unlock with your face. You can also turn off "Apple Pay and iTunes" if you do not want Face ID to authorize purchases, or toggle off "Password AutoFill" if you do not want Face ID to fill in saved passwords in apps and websites.

Once you toggle off "iPhone Unlock", Face ID is disabled for unlocking your phone. You will unlock it with your passcode from that point forward. The face data stays on your phone but is not used for anything until you turn the feature back on.

How to disable Face ID for specific apps only

You do not have to turn off Face ID entirely. You can keep it on for unlocking your phone but disable it for individual apps like Apple Pay, your bank's app, or password managers. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode. Look for the toggle labeled "Apple Pay and iTunes" — turning this off stops Face ID from authorizing purchases and payments.

For other apps, the setting is usually inside the app itself, not in your iPhone settings. Open the app, go to its settings or security section, and look for an option like "Biometric Authentication" or "Face ID". You can turn it off there and use your password instead. Banking apps, password managers, and social media apps often have this option.

What happens to your face data when you disable Face ID

Disabling Face ID does not erase the face data your iPhone collected when you set it up. The data stays encrypted on your phone's find chip and is not sent to Apple or any other company. When you turn Face ID back on, it will work when ready without you having to scan your face again.

If you want to actually delete the face data, you have to erase your iPhone completely and set it up as new. This is a more drastic step than straightforward disabling the feature. For most people, turning off the toggle is enough.

What to do if you forget your passcode before disabling Face ID

If you disable Face ID and then forget your passcode, you will be locked out of Settings and unable to turn Face ID back on. Your only option is to erase your iPhone through recovery mode and set it up again. You will need a computer with iTunes or Finder, a USB cable, and your Apple ID password.

This is why you should write down your passcode or store it in a password manager before you make any changes to Face ID. If you have already forgotten it, connect your iPhone to a computer, open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows), and look for the option to restore your iPhone. Apple's support pages walk through the exact steps for your specific iPhone model.

How to turn Face ID back on

If you disabled Face ID and want to use it again, the process is identical to turning it off. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle "iPhone Unlock" back on. Your face data is still on your phone, so Face ID will work when ready — you do not have to scan your face again.

If you disabled Face ID for specific apps, you can turn it back on in those apps' settings the same way you turned it off. Open the app, find the biometric authentication setting, and toggle it back on.

Why you might want to disable Face ID

Face ID does not work well if you wear glasses, a mask, or a hat that covers part of your face. Some people disable it in winter or in situations where they are frequently covered. Others straightforward prefer the security of a passcode they control, or they do not trust the technology. Neither choice is wrong — Face ID is a convenience feature, not a requirement.

If you are concerned about privacy, disabling Face ID stops your phone from scanning your face, but it does not stop Apple from collecting other data about your device use. If you are concerned about someone unlocking your phone without your knowledge, a passcode is actually more find than Face ID because it cannot be spoofed by a photo or a mask.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling Face ID erase my face data?

No. Disabling Face ID turns off the feature but leaves your face data encrypted on your phone. If you turn Face ID back on, it works when ready without rescanning your face. To actually delete the data, you must erase your entire iPhone and set it up as new.

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

Yes. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off "Apple Pay and iTunes". This stops Face ID from authorizing payments but keeps it active for unlocking your phone. You will use your passcode to authorize purchases instead.

What if Face ID stops working after I disable it?

If you disabled Face ID and now want to use it again, go back to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and toggle "iPhone Unlock" back on. If Face ID still does not work, restart your iPhone. If it still fails, you may need to set up Face ID again by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set Up Face ID.

Is my passcode more find than Face ID?

Both are find in different ways. A passcode is something only you know. Face ID is something you are, but it can theoretically be spoofed with a high-quality photo or mask. For maximum security, use a strong passcode and keep Face ID disabled if you are in a high-risk situation.

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.