Unexpected '2 failed attempts' message on iPhone 12 passcode screen

Did you have the phone in your pocket or purse?

Once the phone locks, any contact on the iPhone's screen by your leg or an item moving inside a purse that touches the iPhone screen is interpreted as an attempted passcode entry.

Of course, a random touch or two will never enter the correct passcode, so the log on attempt will fail, and you will be notified of multiple attempts.

If you routinely carry your phone in your pocket, you can avoid having unintended touch completely. Go to Settings > Touch > Turn off Tap or Swipe to Wake. Once you do this, you'll need to tap the side power button to open your iPhone screen, but you won't have to be worried about accidentally locking yourself out of your phone.

Your phone is fine. Just be careful about letting it move around inside something that can touch the screen.

brearcmed289 wrote:

ok but you understand that this wasnt on the lockscreen idk why the moderator changed the title, it was in settings when you go by faceid and passcode then click to enter and yeah

The phone opened from the Lock Screen with your Face ID, so you did not see it there. If Face ID would have failed, you would have seen it on your Lock Screen too when you went to enter your Passcode.

I also agree you should turn off Tap/Swipe to Wake in order to prevent those unwanted touches while in your pocket or bag.

If you are worried about your iPhone, you can always run Safety Check.

Safety Check for an iPhone with iOS 16 or later - Apple Support

But, I think you will find this process very boring.