My iPhone asks for passcode with Face ID

Same issue here. iPhone 15 Pro Max, i tried everything including a complete phone reset. But after a while it gets back.

I'm starting to think that it's a hardware issue

Perfect! Issue solved. So simple. Thank you. There was a tiny lip on my case that just encroached on the notch. Have filed it down, haven’t been asked for the code once since 🥳

I see all the same complaints. I have the same complaint where is the answers to this? What’s the fix by now? There should be an answer not just a bunch of the same. Yes I said the same problem. Where is the answer to the problem

Same, I started to get this issue in my phone from few days now. I think the issue is phone is trying to recognize the face when a notification comes even when we are not paying attention to it. After like 5 or 6 notifications it asks for passcode again. How to turn it off I don’t know yet.

Re: “… Apple thinks this is more secure …”

While I only have three minor “tidbits” to possibly help, I’m confident that this is NOT the behavior intended by Apple.

Something, somewhere def seems amiss.

I’d would suggest trying three things:

1) Full Power-Off & Restart Cycle

… if no improvement …

2) Sign “out” and then back “in” to the AppleID.

… if no improvement …

3) Reset the FaceID

Same problem. I used my phone then out it down. Not even 1 minute later I had to make a call so I went to use my phone again. The first time Face ID worked the second Face ID was disabled and I was forced to type my pin.. wait what? My Face ID just worked then randomly disables its self for no reason?

coryneee wrote:

I know the issue discussed was that Face ID is failing and prompting for a passcode too often; however, the fundamental issue is that it ever asks for a passcode at all.

FaceID requires that the phone check the Secure Enclave on the phone phone to match the stored biometric information with the face being presented. It can't do that if the phone has been turned off. So, you will always need to use a passcode when restarting the phone.

If Face ID fails, that means someone else is trying to open your phone.

No it doesn't. I've had to use a passcode in certain bad lighting conditions. It can also mean that there is something wrong with the hardware. Think about how frustrating it would be if you couldn't get into the phone because of a hardware glitch in the FaceID system. All your data would be lost.

Me as well. I just discovered settings that i havent seen in quite some time that also use face id.....wallet, itunes, password autofill, app store, journal (i dont even know what this is but it appears to be a special request as it is listed with 'others.' All these options were toggled on and I did not do this. Unless this is default when you set up face id, it would be very helpful to know exactly when you must enter the screenlock code, in order to detect anything out of the ordinary. Because there has beem alot happening thats seemingly out of the ordinary lately. Thanks

Okay folks, I think this is an iOS bug. I erased and re-set my face ID, restarted my phone, and did a diagnostic with Apple Support. None of that worked until I updated to iOS 17.4.1. Now the issue seems to be fixed (at least for now).

My iPhone 13 Mini had been having the same problem as described by many others in this thread: frequently requiring the device passcode instead of using Face ID. It was becoming quite annoyance since I use a very strong device passcode. After reading this particular reply, I thoroughly cleaned the notch area with a lens wipe, the type sold for cleaning of eyeglasses, camera lens, binocuar lens, etc. I am thrilled to report that in the 24 hours since then, I have not been asked to enter my passcode a single time. It appears that the cleaning of the notch area solved my problem, so if you are still having the problem of frequent requirement of your passcode, give the notch area a good cleaning. It can't do any harm, and it just might solve your issue.

Si I’m not the only one….

iphone 15 pro here, it seems even worse than on my iPhone 11 Pro.

please apple, put an option so we can force the authentification or so that the iPhone retry 3 times before asking for code.

it is so frustrating. Makes me regret my old android with finger recognition.

I think it happens when you do to much unknown activities that your phone is not used to for security reasons. Your phone learns your routine and any unknown routines prompt password input. If you’re the owner of the phone you will just enter the password/pin. However, if you’re not the owner it will lock u out, unless you know the password. Same goes if you start using password if you have Face ID set up. There is a time it will prompt you to use Face ID.

Nonetheless, I get where you’re coming from because it can happen like 5 times in a day for example if you travel out of town and start spending using your phone. To remove frustration, the best way is to set up a short 4 digit pin to avoid time and frustration, in case Face ID fails and you're prompted to enter a password. I don’t see any other solution from Apple soon as the numbers reflected here don’t appear to be high enough for Apple to make a change. Like someone said VOICE AND THE FINGER PRINT ARE MUCH BETTER THAN A PIN OR PASSWORD. That said, Android do sometimes ask for password instead of a biometric fingerprint input like Apple do for security reasons. So I guess it’s everywhere.

Setting a shorter pin would seem to be the answer, however I recently watched an investigative piece about pin theft. Thieves are watching victims enter their pin then stealing the phone to gain access to financial accounts. It’s advised to use a longer, difficult to crack, alphanumeric pin to reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

Same here! I just got my phone 4 weeks ago!!!! I see no answers. I am seriously thinking of going Android even if I have an iPad mini, iPad Air. A MacBook Air, an Apple Watch!!! My husband has never had a problem with his Samsung well, only when the dog ate it 😜

@MacJimID Thank you for your post back on May 29, 2023, where you said, "Face ID constantly learns your face when if fails and you enter the passcode, so if someone else uses your phone a lot by entering your passcode, it can alter it enough where your face may not be recognized as easily." And, "If another person uses your phone or you occasionally alter your look with glasses, scarves, piercings, or large makeup changes, create an Alternate photo to give Face ID a better chance of recognition. And if it is another person using your phone, you can add them as the Alternate photo."

It makes so much sense. Can you point me to Apple's documentation that covers what you mentioned about FaceID?

Thanks again!