How to restore 'After 4 hours' option for passcode requirement in Face ID settings on iPhone 17?

I ran into the same issue and had to permanently disable Face ID just to control how often my phone requires a passcode. I spent hours on the phone with Apple support and got nowhere.

For years, I used Face ID only for apps and payments, not unlocking, and set the passcode to trigger after an hour. One change in Face ID settings removed that option entirely.

Now the only workaround is turning Face ID off completely, which means anyone can access everything on my phone if they know my passcode. Apple may think this improves security, but it does the opposite.

My work requires my face to be covered so limiting how often it locks was my only option. Apple has now ruined that. It’s my phone. I should be able to choose when a passcode is required even if I use Face ID for passwords.

One sort of work around for the locking immediately is allowing Apple Watch to unlock the paired iPhone. The Watch in contact with my wrist is the biometric authentication and all I have to do is raise my iPhone and it unlocks. It’s really the best of both worlds.

I will say that there’s a handful of threads on this topic across multiple platforms on the internet. Most replies don’t understand the question and instead tell users to disable phone unlock and then you can change it to every 4 hours, which we’ve already tried and according to this thread is “incorrect outdated information.”

Considering so many people can successfully do that currently and for the past several years(me included with my 17 pro) that tells me it’s an extremely isolated incident. So the question is are the vast majority of people who are actually able to do this just lucky while it’s “working as intended” for the unlucky 1 percent? If that’s the case which people on here are claiming, then technically it’s not working as intended for 99% of people. It doesn’t add up either way. Articles stating one thing can only go so far when it’s not the case for many people. Thats where the frustration comes from because I don’t think saying a clear difference in settings between 2 identical accounts is “just the way it is” is very helpful dialogue.

Thanks, I’ll take a look at the video when I’ve access to my iPad with a larger screen. I can’t tell anything on my iPhone screen.

But here’s the threat and why banks have required the immediate locking feature. Your iPhone is stolen and won’t lock for hours. You’ve been targeted because the scammers already have your credit card information. But they’re afraid the bank will want to verify a large purchase via 2FA or acknowledging a text. Scammers make a large purchase (think $20,000 or more). The text or 2FA message is sent. You have zero protection. Scammers respond affirmative and bank approves purchase. You have zero fraud protection from bank or payment network operator (VISA, Mastercard, American Express etc.).

About a year ago New York Times ran a big story on criminal rings doing nearly the same as I described. The difference is Apple plugged the loophole. Now the scammers come up behind you hoping you’ll enter your passcode in a dark bar or restaurant and when the get the number they steal the device.

Banks about 10 years started demanding shorter time before locking. Apple responded by doing exactly that and few years ago implemented the immediate requirement.

I keep seeing these comments. I have a (new to me) refurbished iPhone 13 Mini and unlike my iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Mini, iPad Pro which all have Face ID active and still have the option of the 4 hour lock feature. on the iPhone 13 Mini I can't change lock immediately.

It's not helpful when this does work (all devices on iOS 26.3), yet posters claim it's a security feature. It's not. It's an annoying impediment. But I wonder about this "security feature" line. As I have three devices where I have both Face ID and 4 hour time out. Is this a selective "security feature"?

Caciora wrote:

It’s RIDICULOUS!

They still didn’t fix it — I’m on passcode, no more FaceID.

I don’t get why they would block it.

There is nothing in iOS26 to prevent you from using FaceID. Your phone may be broken.

You started this thread complaining that Require Passcode no longer has an "After 4 hours" option. You seem to have mutated the subject to no longer having FaceID available which is not an iOS23 feature.

Get your phone seen to https://support.apple.com/en-us/106932?choose-your-country-or-region

As I said on Jan 7...

The Apple instruction article says this, see the part in brackets:

"Require Passcode: as soon as you lock your screen, the default for this setting will ask you to enter your passcode to unlock. If you don't want an immediate passcode requirement, change this setting. (For your own security, if you use Touch ID or Apple Pay, you can't change the immediate passcode requirement)."

Philmnn124 wrote:

We’re trying to figure out why it allows it (going completely against your words) in some cases and not in others. Clearly there was SOMETHING different about one phone compared to another where restoring from a backup magically worked.

Why questions are more for developers, rather than consumers. But without specifics, it’s a bug, plain and simple. Why one device and not another? Simple, that’s how bugs work. iOS is custom to each device, through models receiving different drivers and firmware. In other words the iOS version that installs on my iPhone 17 PM is not the same as my wife’s 16 PM or my iPhone XS etc. Assuming all devices work the same is incorrect, even on the same version iOS such as 26.3. Apple has to source many chips from multiple vendors and each variation will require slightly different firmware. This variation in chips is just one of the loopholes for the bugs presenting themselves. This is overly simplified, but illustrates the why for some user experiences you’re having.

See Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support (UK)

If the passcode is not accepted by your iPhone, it is possible that the passcode you are entering, although correct in your memory, might belong to a different device. Passcodes are device-specific and cannot be used interchangeably across different devices. For example, if you have multiple devices and each has its own unique passcode, entering the passcode of one device on another will not work. Always ensure you are using the correct passcode associated with the specific device in question.

Passcode Counter:

Passcode Lock Periods: The iPhone enforces increasing waiting periods after consecutive incorrect passcode attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.

1st four attempts will allow you to enter the correct passcode immediately without any delay. Subsequent failed passcode attempts will result in longer lockout periods:

Failed Attempts:

• 5th: 1 minute (iPhone Unavailable)
• 6th: 5 minutes (iPhone Unavailable)
• 7th: 15 minutes (iPhone Unavailable)
• 8th: 60 minutes (1 hour) (iPhone Unavailable)
• 9th: 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes) (iPhone Unavailable)
• 10th: 120 minutes (2 hours) (iPhone Unavailable)

Depending on settings, the iPhone might erase itself or lock indefinitely, requiring a connection to a computer for a reset.

Correct Passcode Resets the Counter: If you enter the correct passcode after any number of incorrect attempts, the counter resets, and the phone behaves as normal. Future incorrect attempts will restart the count from the beginning (e.g., after five incorrect attempts, entering the correct passcode resets the count to zero).

Passcode

Your data is not lost if you have a backup either on iCloud or iTunes.

If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or a "Security Lockout" screen

If you forgot your passcode, you can use your Apple ID and password to erase and reset your device without a computer.

Learn what to do if you see "[Device] unavailable" or "Security Lockout" on your iPhone or iPad.)

iPhone is disabled.

Following this process is the only way out if your iPhone is disabled. The steps given in this link will help you reset the passcode -> If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your ...

Regarding your data…

1. If you have an iCloud or iTunes latest backup, then there is nothing to worry about. If not read more...
2. You have synced your data to iCloud, then what you will get back is what you have synced to iCloud and uploaded to iCloud Drive; the information that is synced and stored in iCloud are, Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, Mail, Notes, Voice Memos, shared photos, iCloud Photos*, Health data, call history, and files you store in iCloud Drive. (*-If you have turned on iCloud Photos, your content is automatically stored in iCloud.)
3. You have imported your Photos and videos to Mac/PC then they are safely residing there on Mac/PC
4. You have uploaded some of it to Cloud Drives using the Files app (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, Flickr, box, AmazonDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc). The data remains there.
5. If you have not backed up or do not have the latest backup, nor imported nor you have synced or uploaded your data to cloud drives prior to the situation that you are in, then I am sorry, all your data is lost.

Caciora wrote:

I’ve been using this option for years! In the exact same way, with all bank apps and it always worked!

I don't have it. But then it would be crazy to put down a phone that anyone could pick up and search around in my phone anytime in the next 4 hours.

The Apple instruction article says this, see the part in brackets:

Require Passcode: as soon as you lock your screen, the default for this setting will ask you to enter your passcode to unlock. If you don't want an immediate passcode requirement, change this setting. (For your own security, if you use Touch ID or Apple Pay, you can't change the immediate passcode requirement).

Msqaf00 wrote:

I ran into the same issue and had to permanently disable Face ID just to control how often my phone requires a passcode. I spent hours on the phone with Apple support and got nowhere.

For years, I used Face ID only for apps and payments, not unlocking, and set the passcode to trigger after an hour. One change in Face ID settings removed that option entirely.

Now the only workaround is turning Face ID off completely, which means anyone can access everything on my phone if they know my passcode. Apple may think this improves security, but it does the opposite.

My work requires my face to be covered so limiting how often it locks was my only option. Apple has now ruined that. It’s my phone. I should be able to choose when a passcode is required even if I use Face ID for passwords.

Not sure I understand your problem. You can open your phone with passcode if your face is covered. Tap the Use Passcode button on the lock screen. The only limitations will be Stolen Device Protection and access to Passwords or changing passcode, which you may not need at work, but if you do, turn off SDP.

This thread is about someone who unwisely wants theur phone unlocked for 4 hours with neither face ID nor passcode, because they "control" who can access their phone.