My iPhone asks for passcode with Face ID

I've been on 17.4.1 since you posted this but it did not help me, I still had to erroneously enter my PIN several times where Face ID should have worked. Nor do I see any mention of Face ID bug fixes in the release notes from 17.4.1. :-(

The latest example was this morning: I went to bed, Face ID had been working as expected before going to bed. There was no update made to my phone overnight. I live alone with no pets, so nobody else is attempting to access my phone. I woke up this morning and had to enter the PIN to "Enable Face ID". This has been the typical scenario for me, sometimes though it happens during the day too. And again, I work from home, alone, nobody else is trying to get into the phone.

i literally just unlocked my

phone with Face ID. Used my phone then put my phone down. Not even 1 mine later I grabbed my phone to make a call and it asked for a passcode to enable Face ID.. so why does Face ID just randomly disable for no reason. 1 minute Face ID works the next minute it disables its self? Whats the sense of having it in the first place when I have to type a code more often then I can use Face ID? It’s almost like out of every 10 attempts to use Face ID I need to use a passcode 7 times. People say apple reads these and attempts to make fixes…. But let’s be real.. this has been an ongoing problem for how long? And it still is a wide spread ongoing problem. Apple has released many updates here and there but non to correct this problem of even attempt to correct it. Every update apple sends out you can read what the up is for and what it effects.. yet most the updates have nothing to do with attempting to even try to fix this problem..

yeah, it didn’t totally fix the problem for me, either, i’ve found, just made it happen a few times a day instead of constantly—still not okay but Apple Support is not helpful. 😡 I think instead of writing about it more here, though, everyone needs to flood Apple Support with calls so THEY get annoyed enough to fix it because it’s clearly not the intended UX.

Let me see if I can provide you with some situations where your iPhone will continue to ask for the passcode regularly, even though it features Face ID as the primary authentication method.

While Face ID is indeed a highly secure and convenient way to unlock your iPhone, there are certain situations where it may prompt you for the passcode instead. Here are a few common reasons:

1. Phone restart or software update: Whenever your iPhone is restarted or has undergone a software update, it requires you to enter the passcode as an additional security measure. This is a standard procedure to protect your data.

2. Unrecognized face: If Face ID fails to recognize your face accurately, it may prompt you for the passcode. This can happen if you're wearing a hat, scarf, or sunglasses, or if the lighting conditions are poor.

3. Extended period of inactivity: To ensure maximum security, your iPhone will ask for the passcode if it has been inactive for more than 48 hours or if it hasn't been unlocked with Face ID for more than 6.5 days.

Remember that Face ID is designed to strike a balance between convenience and security. While it works remarkably well in most scenarios, having the passcode as a fallback option ensures that your device remains protected even in unusual situations.

I'm having the same issue. None of the things listed here have explained why this is happening for me. This is a new iPhone 15 Pro, I just upgraded from an X. My X did not do this. For me, it's been requiring me to enter my passcode every morning since I've had the phone, for 5 days now. It's especially frustrating.

What I find most annoying about it is that I can't preview notifications that came in overnight. So I wake up, have 5 messages, I want to preview them but it asks for my passcode. I enter the passcode which causes the phone to log in, now the messages are gone and I don't always remember all the different apps that sent me something. And when I swipe down to see them, most are gone from that list too (which I also don't understand why). And even if I do remember all the apps to check, it's not easy nor efficient to go to each app to dig up a message.

We should have control over our own security options, Apple thinks this is more secure but it's not, let me make my own decisions.

xx0613xx wrote:

Did you read other’s comments? I bet not. Apple requires to use passcode even if the phone has just been used 3-5 mins ago.

If that's happening, there's something wrong. Contact Apple and arrange to have your phone evaluated:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

DLRoxy wrote:

No one from apple is paying attention. iPhone 15, IOS 17+ has a glitch. Until now, unless the iPhone hit a requirement, faceID was sufficient at all times. Now it asks - I think - for a passcode if not accessed within 15 minutes. There is no control to address this.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum. If you want Apple's help, start with the Support link at the bottom left of every page of these forums. If you just want to leave feedback, see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

You have to turn on the “Require attention for face ID” in the settings. It worked for me

Thanks for the reply; my “early-on” reply to which I assume you’re referring was an attempt to help inform those who might not otherwise understand what constitutes “normal” OS behavior.

Clearly, as the thread progressed, it became more and more apparent that abnormal behavior was indeed being observed.

Thanks for your kind comments about this region. It’s indeed a GREAT place to live. And having some of the fastest, symmetric speed internet available anywhere to EVERY “plain ol’ consumer” — via FTTH to every premises — is a huge plus.

Annoyediphoneuser01 wrote:

i literally just unlocked my

phone with Face ID. Used my phone then put my phone down. Not even 1 mine later I grabbed my phone to make a call and it asked for a passcode to enable Face ID.. so why does Face ID just randomly disable for no reason. 1 minute Face ID works the next minute it disables its self? Whats the sense of having it in the first place when I have to type a code more often then I can use Face ID? It’s almost like out of every 10 attempts to use Face ID I need to use a passcode 7 times.

Do you by chance have a work email account on your phone?

People say apple reads these and attempts to make fixes….

"People" would be wrong. Apple doesn't read here for feedback or suggestions. If you want them to know your thoughts, use this link:

Product Feedback - Apple

Stockdizzle wrote:

Every hour is asks for my password regardless of Face ID being enabled. Fix this!!

No one here in this user-to-user forum can fix anything. I suggest you contact Apple directly.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Dougdangger wrote:

After work I’m going to buy an unlocked Android phone and go back to team green. This is appalling.

Good bye Apple. Kiss my subscriptions good bye as well.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. So, threats here will only be seen by other users. You can let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Did you have Apple run diagnostics on your phone? Or did you just assume that Apple would magically fix something of which they were unaware? Did you do any troubleshooting? If so, what?

And while not “officially published” IMO: “So you don’t forget it !!!

As a forgotten passcode requires a non-trivial restoration procedure (involving total erasure of the iOS device)

make sure there are no cracks on your screen protector, especially around the camera area. I was having the same annoying issue until I peeled off the screen protector. Instantly fixed the problem!

same and it's driving me nuts!