Face ID, Camera, and Flashlight Not Working After iOS 18 Update – Unable to Disable Stolen Device Protection

After updating my iPhone from iOS 17 to iOS 18, my camera, flashlight, and Face ID stopped working. I left the phone switched off for a day, and when I checked again, the camera and flashlight started working, but Face ID is still not functioning. I believe this is likely a software issue.


When I tried resetting Face ID, I got a message saying "Stolen device protection is on," and I need to turn it off before resetting Face ID. The problem is, I can't figure out how to disable stolen device protection without Face ID working.


I can't even reset my device, and this situation is really frustrating. Has anyone experienced this or know how to fix it?

iPhone 13, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 11, 2024 2:25 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 25, 2024 9:26 AM

I faced the same issue and was able to resolve camera and torch issue by resetting the phone. Face ID still not working.



After the reset, you'll be able to remove the Face ID and turn of find my device.


Make sure you take backups of data, including contacts, before following the steps below.


Here's what you'll need:

  • Access to the Apple ID associated with the phone.

Steps to follow:

  1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 10 times (or more) until the phone shows "iPhone Unavailable for x minutes."
  2. Tap the text in the bottom right corner that says something like "Erase data" or "Forgot password."
  3. Log in with your Apple ID, and you'll have the option to Reset, Delete (but keep eSIM), or Delete (with eSIM).
  4. The phone will display a message like "You have to wait x minutes for the phone to be available." Click Cancel in the bottom right corner.
  5. The phone will begin deleting/resetting.
  6. After the reset, the phone will show a message like "Locked to User" with your Apple ID.
  7. Log in with your Apple ID to unlock the phone.
  8. You should then be able to set up your phone as new and add a new Face ID.

I hope this helps, this method worked for me on 9 October, 2024.


If this works for you guys, send some good vibes my way!

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 25, 2024 9:26 AM in response to IamAbhisheksharma

I faced the same issue and was able to resolve camera and torch issue by resetting the phone. Face ID still not working.



After the reset, you'll be able to remove the Face ID and turn of find my device.


Make sure you take backups of data, including contacts, before following the steps below.


Here's what you'll need:

  • Access to the Apple ID associated with the phone.

Steps to follow:

  1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 10 times (or more) until the phone shows "iPhone Unavailable for x minutes."
  2. Tap the text in the bottom right corner that says something like "Erase data" or "Forgot password."
  3. Log in with your Apple ID, and you'll have the option to Reset, Delete (but keep eSIM), or Delete (with eSIM).
  4. The phone will display a message like "You have to wait x minutes for the phone to be available." Click Cancel in the bottom right corner.
  5. The phone will begin deleting/resetting.
  6. After the reset, the phone will show a message like "Locked to User" with your Apple ID.
  7. Log in with your Apple ID to unlock the phone.
  8. You should then be able to set up your phone as new and add a new Face ID.

I hope this helps, this method worked for me on 9 October, 2024.


If this works for you guys, send some good vibes my way!

Oct 25, 2024 7:59 AM in response to IamAbhisheksharma

Updated to IOS 18. My flashlight constantly doesn’t work. As well as my camera. Another weird glitch is even if I turn the flash off for my pictures, it’ll still use it sometimes. My Face ID stopped working yesterday. I also had to turn off the stolen protection (just keep hitting try again and eventually it’ll ask you to type in your phone password) but now it won’t let me set up Face ID. When I got to put my face in the frame, it’s not picking up on it. No matter what I do. Literally about to go to an android, there are way too many bugs and problems with this stupid update. It was released too soon. I miss Steve Jobs!

Oct 25, 2024 6:53 AM in response to IamAbhisheksharma

I updated to IOS 18 and my rear facing camera and flashlight now dont work. I went to the apple store and they told me it was a camera issue NOT software and said the only solution is a new rear facing camera for 170$. This issue is all over the web, but they told me Apple does not recognize it. I dont have AppleCare. The phone is a 14 plus and only about two years old. Dont know how it is a camera issue if it happened the day following my update and there are numerous reports on this site and internet. Apple Store told me my trade in value would also be reduced if I tried to trade it in bc the camera is broken.

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Face ID, Camera, and Flashlight Not Working After iOS 18 Update – Unable to Disable Stolen Device Protection

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