My iPhone asks for passcode with Face ID

Why is my device asking for passcode pretty regularly? I thought face identification is supposed to be the best out there ?

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iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on May 29, 2023 3:52 PM

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Tesserax

Level 10

160,460 points

Posted on May 29, 2023 4:02 PM

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.

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64 replies

May 29, 2023 4:03 PM in response to Irishbhoy1967

If you do any of the following, you need enter your passcode:

After you set a passcode, on supported models you can use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock iPhone (depending on your model). For additional security, however, you must always enter your passcode to unlock your iPhone under the following conditions:

You turn on or restart your iPhone.
You haven’t unlocked your iPhone for more than 48 hours.
You haven’t unlocked your iPhone with the passcode in the last 6.5 days, and you haven’t unlocked it with Face ID or Touch ID in the last 4 hours.
Your iPhone receives a remote lock command.
There are five unsuccessful attempts to unlock your iPhone with Face ID or Touch ID.
An attempt to use Emergency SOS is initiated (see Use Emergency SOS).
An attempt to view your Medical ID is initiated (see Set up and view your Medical ID).

Mar 21, 2024 6:09 PM in response to Irishbhoy1967

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).

Jun 20, 2024 4:11 PM in response to Irishbhoy1967

If you have turned off “Require attention for Face ID” that is why it keeps asking for your passcode. I turned that back on yesterday and it has not required me to enter the password continuously like it was before.

To be doubly safe, I set up an alternate appearance where my hair is pinned back at home and I looked terrible. I also reset my Face ID just to clear cover all my bases.

Jul 5, 2024 8:20 AM in response to Janemcgraw

Janemcgraw wrote:

If you have turned off “Require attention for Face ID” that is why it keeps asking for your passcode. I turned that back on yesterday and it has not required me to enter the password continuously like it was before.

Having that feature enabled should not cause the phone to request a password except in these situations:

You turn on or restart your iPhone.
You haven’t unlocked your iPhone for more than 48 hours.
You haven’t unlocked your iPhone with the passcode in the last 6.5 days, and you haven’t unlocked it with Face ID or Touch ID in the last 4 hours.
Your iPhone receives a remote lock command.
There are five unsuccessful attempts to unlock your iPhone with Face ID or Touch ID.
An attempt to use Emergency SOS is initiated (see Use Emergency SOS).
An attempt to view your Medical ID is initiated (see Set up and view your Medical ID).

I have always had that feature enabled and it causes no issues. There's something else wrong with your phone.

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My iPhone asks for passcode with Face ID