2 x iPhones using PIN instead of FaceID since iOS 26.1

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PB2007 Author

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2 x iPhones using PIN instead of FaceID since iOS 26.1

2 x iPhones asking for PIN when unlocking instead of FaceID.

This is my iPhone 15 Pro and my wife's iPhone 15 Plus.

Both phones on iOS 26.1

Both all working fine until updated to iOS 26.1

Now every time that we unlock our phones it wants the PIN and doesn't even try to use FaceID. It states "You need to use your PIN to unlock FaceID"

Previously we've only seen this after a restart or random occasional times.

Now its every time.

Even logging in here the 2FA would usually accept FaceID but it just failed.

Nothing has changed for us - no new glasses, cosmetic surgery etc

Just since iOS 206.1

Is this just us or is there an issue? I have seen similar issues being mentioned in Reddit iOS threads.

iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Nov 16, 2025 11:23 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Mac Jim ID

Community+ 2026

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88,494 points

Nov 16, 2025 12:54 PM in response to PB2007

PB2007 wrote:

Well seems both sorted by resetting Face ID and setting it up again.

Yep, that is what is recommended and has resolved that problem in every case I have seen posted here. Reddit is hit and miss on problem solving and sometimes it just gets drowned out by other users where it makes solutions that much harder to find. I have seen the same happen in previous iOS versions, such as iOS 18 as well, so I don't think it is specific to iOS 26, but the solution has always been the same.

Anyway, thanks for the update as that is truly what needs to be provided to make a support site such as this work for others.

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Answer 2

PB2007 Author

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Nov 16, 2025 11:46 AM in response to PB2007

Sorted mine but deleting FaceID and setting it up again. Will try wife's later

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Answer 3

PB2007 Author

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Nov 16, 2025 12:13 PM in response to PB2007

Well seems both sorted by resetting Face ID and setting it up again.

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Answer 4

PB2007 Author

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Nov 16, 2025 11:37 AM in response to PB2007

Oh and FaceID seems fine when I pay for stuff with Apple Pay but when I try to log in to other things on my phone it’ll fail over and over.

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Answer 5

PB2007 Author

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9 points

Nov 16, 2025 12:57 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Thanks. I wanted to do a reset and setup as a last resort as it was funny both phones suffered after iOS 26.1 was installed and had never had an issue before.

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2 x iPhones using PIN instead of FaceID since iOS 26.1

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