Why is Passcode required often during the day to enable faceid?

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Level 1

4 points

Why is Passcode required often during the day to enable faceid?

I use the phone every day, so should never run into the situation of it being many hours or many days without unlocking. I understand the issue when the phone reboots and/or a software update is installed, so no need to answer with that. However, on a frequent basis, say about 3 to 4 times per day, I am required to enter my passcode to use face id. I don't understand that. It seems to have started with the update to iOS 17 or a late iOS 16 release. Prior to that, I did not have the problem.

It is not always, so my camera seems to be working fine and I can take selfie-style pictures no problem. It just seems to be an issue with faceid.

iPhone 14 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 30, 2023 2:39 PM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

232,332 points

Dec 1, 2023 5:51 AM in response to garyhoffmann

If the phone wakes multiple times and does not authenticate Face ID, it may require the passcode. this could be anything from picking it up to check the time and being at an angle that your face isn’t verified, to waking in your pocket.

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Answer 2

garyhoffmann Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 1, 2023 5:35 AM in response to garyhoffmann

It has already happened twice today. The first one I can understand-ish - I went to bed around midnight and don't recall the exact time prior to that I needed to unlock it with face id. I got up around 6:00 AM this morning and used it by around 6:30 AM. It required a passcode - OK I can buy that one. I used it again around 7:20 this morning and it asked me for my passcode again. That's only about one hour different.

There is something broken with face id, at least on my device.

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Answer 3

garyhoffmann Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 1, 2023 7:43 AM in response to KiltedTim

That's an interesting one. It's possible. I do have raise to wake turned off, so this shouldn't happen, but we all know how that goes. I also have a clock on my computer, so I don't need it to check the time, but it is still possible. It times out so much that I have gone to a weaker passcode so I can get in easier.

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Why is Passcode required often during the day to enable faceid?

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