Why can't I access Face ID apps with my passcode if Face ID fails?

Question

Why can't I access Face ID apps with my passcode if Face ID fails?

I set up a number of iPhone apps to require Face ID to open them. For a while, everything was fine: if Face ID failed, then the passcode option would appear. That option seems to have been withdrawn, so now, if Face ID does not open an app, that app is unavailable. This is a severe retrograde step. There MUST be a way of getting past Face ID, or there is a risk of being locked out of important functions -- unless Apple believes that a passcode is inherently unsafe. For me, it means that my partner is unable to access apps on my phone.

Is there a setting that explicitly enables passcode bypass of Face ID? Many thanks!

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Jan 23, 2025 6:44 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 23, 2025 9:12 AM in response to Neville Goodman1

Have you enabled Stolen Device Protection? The key feature of SDP is it requires biometric identification for almost all functions.

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Answer 2

razmee209

Level 10

199,506 points

Jan 23, 2025 8:39 AM in response to Neville Goodman1

Neville Goodman1 wrote:

I set up a number of iPhone apps to require Face ID to open them. For a while, everything was fine: if Face ID failed, then the passcode option would appear. That option seems to have been withdrawn, so now, if Face ID does not open an app, that app is unavailable. This is a severe retrograde step. There MUST be a way of getting past Face ID, or there is a risk of being locked out of important functions -- unless Apple believes that a passcode is inherently unsafe. For me, it means that my partner is unable to access apps on my phone.

Is there a setting that explicitly enables passcode bypass of Face ID? Many thanks!

What apps are you talking about?

Have your reported the issue to the app developer, or look at their support site?

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Answer 3

Jan 23, 2025 9:59 AM in response to razmee209

I spoke to the local Apple Store: it's a feature of IoS, not of any individual app.

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Answer 4

Jan 23, 2025 10:06 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Yes, SDP is enabled. But even that is odd. I have ticked that SDP is not needed when in familiar places but, despite that, when I tried to change my passcode, I get the security delay message even though I'm sitting in my living room. (My VPN is inactive.) Also, when I first set up Face ID for apps, a passcode option was offered -- and SDP was set up at the time. The Apple Store seemed to think that Face ID for apps has changed recently, but neither of the people I spoke to uses the feature so couldn't give me any more information.

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Why can't I access Face ID apps with my passcode if Face ID fails?

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