How can I use PIN to unlock my iPhone 16e instead of Face ID?

I believe you can do this as you want. Once you set up your Face ID and Passcode, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn off iPhone Unlock. This will require using your passcode as opposed to using Face ID.

Yes, just don’t enable Face ID. Although it is more secure than Passcode if you ever unlock your iPhone in public.

This is the security setup screen:

as you can see, you can disable Face ID for unlocking, but still use it for other functions.

Even if you enable it for unlocking you can cancel that by pressing the SIDE button 5 times.

Returning to the US, customs and immigration can require you to unlock the iPhone with your passcode or face detention. A number of travel advisors suggest not traveling with a smartphone, or at least erasing it and using it with only basic features.

Lawrench Finch wrote:

Even if you enable it for unlocking you can cancel that by pressing the SIDE button 5 times.

By the way Lawrence, if someone has the Call with 5 Button Presses on, when they press the Side Button 5 times it will call Emergency SOS services.

dougfromwichita wrote:

Many thanks

You're welcome. But I agree with Lawrence Finch that using Face ID in public is safer than using you passcode. We've seen too many reports of people not noticing someone watches for the passcode to be entered, then steals the phone from them. I wouldn't personally remove the Face ID option to unlock my iPhone.

dougfromwichita wrote:

I understand. The issue is that law enforcement can force me to open my phone using biometrics but not with a PIN - not that I do anything illegal or have embarrassing stuff on the phone. This is particularly true traveling internationally and dealing with border authorities. I understand the cons of refusing to hand over my pin at the border but it's an option. I generally use my fingerprints now for most actions and that is not protected either, but it would be good to have the option of using a PIN since fingerprints are no longer an option. I don't do sensitive log-ons in public and guard my PIN input - not foolproof but effective so far. Plus, if I'm dead and a crook gets my phone with bank info, they can't open the phone without my PIN. They can use my dead face. Anyway, it was a question I was unable to answer through the Apple page or Google.

I understand your concern. But by your own admission, you have nothing of concern on your iPhone, I'm not sure why you'd be concerned about authorities making you open your phone? Still, you do what you think is in your best interest and what I provided above will indeed prevent Face ID from opening the phone and it will require inputting your Passcode.