Face ID stopped working on my iPhone after iOS 17 update

I started experiencing this issue and went into Face ID and Passcode > toggle off Unlock Phone > I unlocked my phone with only passcode > toggled on Unlock Phone > use Face ID (it worked, atleast to unlock once when it was none)

I don’t know if this was a fluke but may be worth a try?

The only way this bug will be fixed is if people lodge it as a problem - Apple don’t monitor the forums. The will only look at the feedback - this is what I have been told by a senior customer executive Feedback - iPhone - Apple

ROLLRIDGE wrote:

Who tested this product before the release? Obviously NO ONE. Come on Apple, you can do better than this!

You aren't speaking with Apple here, on this user to user only forum. Use the feedback link to share your thoughts with Apple, which has been posted over and over and over throughout this thread.

Most people, btw., are not having FaceID issues. Why some of you are, is a mystery, tbh. It could be your True Depth camera needs to cleaned, which has works for many here. You may need to restore your iPhone. You may need to Force Restart your IPhone. There are things you can and should try. Or schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and show it to Apple.

Hi. Yes this seems to be a problem. It appears there are 2 categories in regard to this issue. One, some people solve it by a clean of the lens or a reset. But the second category are reporting what appears to be a bug or something caused when they update the iOS. (there are hundreds of others on other forums like Reddit firmly in the second category). There appears to be no logic or pattern. Apple have kind-of acknowledged this, and told at least 2 members here through Support, that the only way to get Apple's attention, is to log it as feedback. It's very frustrating, but it seems like that is the only way to go.

Sorry to hear this. It’s a problem that many many people are encountering and there is no fix. The only thing you can do is to report it to Apple as only a significant number of complaints will lead to it being acknowledged and who knows, maybe fixed. Feedback - iPhone - Apple

I have spoken to a Tech journalist who may write a story about this. If anyone knows anyone similar, now may be time to go public and shout from the rooftops that Face ID - a key security feature of Apple iPhone has been broken mysteriously for many many users, since iOS 16.4/ iOS 17.

Go into SETTINGS, scroll down to FACE ID & PASSCODE. You then have to enter your passcode. This brings you to the window that will show iPhone 'unlock', etc. click on it and you can add your face again.

That's all. And it works .... on iOS 17.

Following. Had this issue since Dec 19th 2023. (Now Jan 19th 2024).

2 calls with Apple support and 2 visits to Genius Bar.

cariously updated to 17.2.1 and “Reset Face ID” and “Reset Settings”. Some of those work to re-enable Face ID. But the pattern is plain: every time it stops working again very soon - between 2 - 60 minutes.

Diagnostics, as run by Apple Support show no issue with True Depth camera.

I just updated my pro max 12 to 17.3 update and had the same issue previous post state about the 17.1 and etc. I did do reset holding left volume down button letting it go off and restarting it and first time it didn’t work. I did someone state to do it twice so I tried it again and it now works. I took the time to sign up and maybe it would help solidify the truth about resetting twice if first time it don’t work. Figure someone has too since Apple is too busy thinking of more ways to rob your money on the next model. 🤦‍♂️ least fix your updates before releasing them maybe? You are one of if not THE most richest companies on earth are you guys not? Least you can do is lead your true customers into using your products correctly or getting them to work properly should say. It’s amazing how these companies work. You guys are very lucky no other competitors can compete but nobody stays on top or the bottom forever. Don’t forget! Godbless all my frustrated apple customers lol we all in this together. ✌🏼

I got to this place when my Face ID stopped working and could not reset. I called support.

1- When trying to reset, choose at least one of the options for Face ID use.

2- Clean your front camera.

3- Do it again with a different wiping cloth.

Face ID (iPhone 12 Pro Max) had been working fine for a couple years but then stopped working several weeks ago; the camera simply stopped recognizing my face.

I wipe down / clean my phone and case a few times a week, so I didn’t think a dirty lens would be the cause of Face ID not working. After reading some of these comments, however, I wiped down the front screen again — paying particular attention to the “notch” area at the top — and that instantly solved the Face ID problem for me.

SOLVED. I have tried everything before and nothing works. I did notice my camera does not immediately work when my phone is locked. Also Apple tends to say this is due to depth sensor is faulty. It’s as if the sensor doesn’t work when the phone is locked. Try this fix and report back. My phone instantly works. Good luck!

Settings -> Camera -> Preserve Settings -> Depth control to ON.

Clean the whole screen really well. My husband couldn’t set his up until he found a small smudge at the very top of the screen.

CLEANED FRONT CAMERA LENS AND WORKED IMMEDIATELY!!! Thanks to the person that suggested this!!!!!

I just did what another poster suggested—turn off the attention feature and clean your lens. That was the only hack that worked for me.

Hi!

If you have a screen protector on your phone remove it and clean your front camera.

It worked for me!