Face ID stopped working on my iPhone after iOS 17 update

It is quite a rare issue, it may occurs somtime when the new software crashed on your device. These steps may resolve your issue:

A. Hard Reset

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

B. Reset Face ID by turn off your device passcode and set up Face ID passcode

Settings> Face ID & Passcode> Turn Passcode Off> Set Up Face ID Passcode

C. Connect to Mac and Restore iPhone

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Make sure to back up your phone before restoring it, I hope this instruction will resolve your issue.

[Edited by Moderator]

I too have an IPhone 11 with Face ID problem. The store rep said to hit the VOLUME UP button> VOLUME DOWN button > then the BUTTON on the right, to do a soft reset. Wait a moment and restart your phone. When back on go into SETTINGS >FACE ID & PASSCODE >RESET FACE ID. It didn’t work the first time I did it, but the second time it did work. I did not have to do a hard reset. I hope this helps.

Took my phone to Apple support today and as expected they said it is hardware issue and no guarantee it will ever get fix in any upgrades! You need to get the camera/hardware fixed!! And the cost was usd 500 🙄🤯

I fixed this here’s how: after struggling with this issue for a day I turned of beta updates on my phone then updated to the latest iOS 17.1 public version(this seemed to work), Face ID worked for a little while then stopped. To fix it I disabled Face ID (deleted the face data) then restarted my phone, then made a new Face ID and now it works.

You may want to advise others @Apple Support that old (crazed,scraped, dulled, frequently cleaned/sanitized) protective case screens MAY have the unintended consequence of causing features such as Facial Recognition to fail OR work intermittently. Mine wasn’t as bad as an old overplayed vinyl record but had enough aberrations to prevent the complete 360° recognition of my face.

There are, seemingly, numerous postings on your Community Boards of folks having the same Facial Recognition issue that I experienced.

I should (and will) purchase a new Protective Case. But, in the interim, removing the case to complete the Facial Recognition Reset resolved the issue for me. I put the old screen back on after a “Bare Phone” facial reset and it works fine.

Bonjour

même si je reste convaincu que iOS 17.x à causé ce qui se passe perte de sensibilité depuis la correction à destination des iPhone 15 pro qui chauffent), je reste persuadé également que le téléphone n’est pas en panne.

Ce matin j’ai retirer le verre trempé de mon iPhone et j’ai nettoyé la fine couche de poussière qui était nettement marquée entre l’écran et la bordure du verre trempé (impossible à atteindre sans retirer le verre)

faceID s’est remit à fonctionner instantanément ensuite. J’ai réinitialisé Face ID et j’ai refais la configuration sans aucune erreur.

j’ai recollé le verre ensuite (quelques bulles maintenant !!) mais ça fonctionne toujours.

je reviendrais dimanche soir dire comment s’est passé le weekend….

I fixed the issue. For me there was a little dirt in the IR sensor just to the left of the speaker/notch at the top of the screen. You really can’t see it we'll. I had deleted my Face ID to reset back up and it wouldn’t detect me. Cleaned that area off and then it worked and let me set back up. Not sure if I even needed to reset face. Maybe the iOS 17 uses that sensor more to open Face ID or just coincidence. It is an easy thing to try and it fixed it for me. So first try wiping that spot on your phone screen and see if Face ID works.

I posted this last week. Try this it’s the easiest fix if it works

I fixed the issue. For me there was a little dirt in the IR sensor just to the left of the speaker/notch at the top of the screen. You really can’t see it well. I had deleted my Face ID to reset back up and it wouldn’t detect me. Cleaned that area off and then it worked and let me set back up. Not sure if I even needed to reset face. Maybe the iOS 17 uses that sensor more to open Face ID or just coincidence. It is an easy thing to try and it fixed it for me. So first try cleaning that spot on your phone screen and see if Face ID works.

I fixed mine. The sensor to the left of the front top microphone was blocked by air under my glass screen protector. It didn’t take much. Took off the screen protector and it’s fine again. Put a new screen protector back on.

this is after two days of restarting my phone multiple times, and being completely annoyed.

My facial recognition stopped yesterday. Tried rebooting, deleting picture and starting over.

Finally removed my screen protector and the recognition worked. Might have been something interfering with the clarity or visual recognition on the front camera with that screen protector.

Just a suggestion to try removing if anyone stuck.

In another thread someone said they opened the Settings App. Tapped General and scanned down to Shut Down. Tap that, your iPhone will shut down. Wait a minute or so, then turn the phone back on and see if you can set up Face ID again. Let us know if this works as it will help others.

Ok, I got it working with glasses and without fail. Don't know if all the steps are needed, but these are the steps:

(iPhone 13 standard, iOS 17.0.3)

1. Reset face ID (after doing this I could not recreate face ID, despite hard reboots)
2. Clean lens
3. recreate face ID (worked immediately after cleaning lens)
4. turn off attention feature (I know it's more secure, but having to enter passcode after several failed recognition attempts is way less secure)
5. A hard reboot never hurts, but probably not needed

Now it works immediately. I think camera lens wipe is the most important part, so maybe if I did that to begin with there may not be an issue to fix, so I would start with that.

According to Apple:

Using diagnostics available in iOS 14.6 or later, Apple has detected an issue with your TrueDepth camera that might cause it to not function as expected. The TrueDepth camera contains lasers, which might be disabled for safety reasons if the device malfunctions or is damaged. This won't prevent you from using your iPhone or iPad, but until your iPhone or iPad is updated or serviced, you might not be able to use Face ID, Animoji, Memoji, and some other features that use the front camera.

As a result, I recommend service.

Service Checklist:

• iPhone service pricing.
• Check AppleCare Coverage.
• Get your iPhone ready for service.

Click ▶︎ Start a Service Request. ⚛️

Need more help?

Click ▶︎ Check Repair Status.

[Edited by Moderator]

For a small number, the lens and sensor area is dirty and needs to be cleaned. But for many, the True Depth Camera has failed. Apple are no longer investigating this, and believe the majority of cases on this forum are coincidental. Check your warranty, have the phone examined, continue to log your observations / complaints at Feedback - iPhone - Apple

and remember - Apple do NOT gather information from this forum, only through the Feedback page I just provided. Good luck.

I just had this problem and saw your solution so I tried it. This worked for me! I toggled "Unlock iPhone" off and on and then was able to reset my Face ID. Thank you :)