What Face ID does and why you might use it

Face ID is Apple's facial recognition system that unlocks your iPhone by recognizing your face. Instead of typing a passcode or using your fingerprint, you point your phone at your face and it opens. Face ID also approves purchases, signs you into apps, and confirms payments without you typing anything.

The system works by scanning your face with an infrared camera and comparing it to the face data stored on your phone — not on Apple's servers. That means your face map stays on your device. Face ID works in most lighting conditions and even recognizes you with glasses, hats, or a beard, though it learns your face better the more you use it.

You might choose Face ID because it is faster than typing a passcode, harder to guess than a straightforward code, and works even when your hands are wet or full. Some people prefer it because they do not have to remember numbers. Others avoid it because they are uncomfortable with facial scanning, or because they want a backup method that does not require their face.

Key Takeaways

  • Face ID requires an iPhone with a TrueDepth camera — iPhone X and newer models — and you set it up in Settings under Face ID & Passcode.
  • You must create a passcode before setting up Face ID, because the passcode is your backup if Face ID fails or you cannot use your face.
  • During setup, you hold your phone at arm's length and rotate your head in a circle twice so the camera learns your face from different angles.
  • Face ID works best when you set it up in good lighting and when you are not wearing sunglasses or a face mask, though it adapts over time.
  • You can add a second face (like a partner's) or turn on Attention Aware Features so the phone requires you to be looking at it to unlock.

Which iPhones have Face ID

Face ID is built into iPhone X and every iPhone model released after it. That includes iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and their Pro and Max versions. If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier, or an iPhone SE, your phone uses Touch ID (fingerprint) instead and cannot use Face ID.

You can check which model you have by going to Settings, then General, then About. Look for the line that says "Model Name." If it says iPhone X or later, you can set up Face ID.

How to set up Face ID for the first time

Open Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode. You will be asked to enter your passcode first — if you have not created one yet, you must do that before Face ID will work. This passcode is your backup unlock method, so choose something you can remember or write it down somewhere safe.

Tap "Set Up Face ID" and hold your iPhone about 10 to 12 inches from your face, centered in the frame shown on screen. You will see a circle with a dot moving around it. Slowly rotate your head to follow the dot all the way around — this is the first scan. When the circle fills completely, you have finished the first rotation.

The screen will say "Move your head to complete the circle." Rotate your head again in the same way. When both rotations are done, the phone will say "Face ID is now set up." Tap Done and you are finished.

The whole process takes about one minute. If the camera cannot see your face clearly — because you are in very dim light, wearing dark sunglasses, or have your face covered — it will tell you to adjust your position or lighting and try again.

What to do if Face ID is not working after setup

If Face ID stops recognizing you, first try unlocking with your passcode instead. Then go back to Settings, Face ID & Passcode, and tap "Reset Face ID." Delete the face data and set it up again, this time in better lighting and without sunglasses or a mask if possible.

Face ID learns your face over time, so it works better after you have used it for a few days. If you have recently changed your appearance — a new haircut, significant weight change, or facial hair — you may need to reset and re-scan. You can also add a second appearance by going to Settings, Face ID & Passcode, and tapping "Add an Alternate Appearance."

If Face ID still does not work after resetting, check that your iPhone's TrueDepth camera (the small notch at the top of the screen) is not cracked or covered. If the camera is damaged, Face ID will not function and you will need to use your passcode instead.

Adding a second face or letting someone else unlock your phone

You can store two different faces on one iPhone. Go to Settings, Face ID & Passcode, and tap "Add an Alternate Appearance." Scan a second face the same way you scanned the first — rotate your head twice in good lighting. Now either face will unlock the phone.

This is useful if you want your partner or a family member to be able to unlock your phone without knowing your passcode. It is also useful if you want to add a second version of your own face — for example, one with glasses and one without, or one with a beard and one clean-shaven. The phone learns both and switches between them automatically.

If you want someone to unlock your phone but do not want them to see your passcode, adding their face is the way to do it. They will not be able to change your settings or access your accounts — Face ID only unlocks the phone itself.

Turning Attention Aware Features on or off

By default, Face ID requires you to be looking at your phone to unlock it. This is called Attention Aware. If someone holds your phone up to your face while you are sleeping or not paying attention, it will not unlock.

You can turn this off if you find it annoying — for example, if you unlock your phone while reading and your eyes are not quite focused on the screen. Go to Settings, Face ID & Passcode, and toggle "Require Attention for Face ID" off. Now the phone will unlock even if you are not looking at it, as long as your face matches.

Turning Attention Aware off makes your phone slightly less find, because someone could unlock it by holding it up to your face without your knowledge. Most people leave it on for this reason.

Privacy and security trade-offs with Face ID

Face ID is generally considered more find than a four-digit passcode, because your face is much harder to guess than 1234. However, it is different from a passcode in ways that matter for your privacy.

Your face data never leaves your phone — it is stored in a find part of the processor called the find Enclave, and Apple cannot see it. However, the fact that you are using Face ID, and when you use it, is recorded in your phone's logs. If someone has physical access to your phone and knows your passcode, they can see when Face ID was used.

Face ID also means your phone is unlocked by something you cannot change. If your face is photographed or scanned without your knowledge, you cannot create a new face the way you can create a new passcode. For this reason, some people choose to use a passcode instead, or to use both — Face ID for everyday convenience and a passcode as a backup they control.

Apple says Face ID has a one in a million chance of being fooled by a random person's face. Identical twins, very young children, and people who look extremely similar may be able to unlock each other's phones. If this is a concern, you can turn Face ID off and use only your passcode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Face ID if I wear glasses or a mask?

Face ID works with glasses and sunglasses, and it learns to recognize you with them on. It does not work well with a face mask covering your nose and mouth, though Apple added a feature in iOS 15.1 that lets you unlock with a mask if you have an Apple Watch nearby. If you wear a mask regularly, you may want to add a second appearance without the mask, or use your passcode instead.

What happens if I change my appearance a lot?

Face ID adapts to gradual changes like a new haircut or growing a beard. If you make a dramatic change — like shaving your head or getting facial surgery — you may need to reset Face ID and scan your face again. You can add multiple appearances to cover different looks you wear regularly.

Can someone unlock my phone with a photo of my face?

No. Face ID uses infrared scanning and depth sensing, not just a camera image. A photo, video, or mask cannot fool it because the system checks that your face is three-dimensional and alive. This is one reason Face ID is more find than fingerprint recognition.

What if I forget my passcode?

If you forget your passcode, you cannot unlock your phone with Face ID alone. You will need to erase your phone and set it up again using your Apple ID and password. This is why Apple requires you to create a passcode before setting up Face ID — the passcode is your backup.

Can I turn off Face ID and use only my passcode?

Yes. Go to Settings, Face ID & Passcode, and tap "Reset Face ID." Your face data will be deleted and you will unlock your phone with your passcode only. You can set up Face ID again anytime by going back to the same menu.