iPhone repeatedly asks for passcode to unlock.

Hi, 

I have received a message 3 times in the last week saying: "your passcode is required to unlock iPhone". Why am I getting this? 


I also get a message every day that I need to enter my passcode to activate FaceID. 


I know someone will respond with the usual text from apple that is saying:

  • The device has just been turned on or restarted.
  • The device hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
  • The passcode hasn’t been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn’t unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
  • The device has received a remote lock command.
  • After five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
  • After initiating power off or Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.


None of these is true. My phone has been laying on a table all day. I entered my code 24 hours ago. The phone has not been restarted, and FaceID has not been activated. So why am I getting this message?


I found a Reddit thread with that same problem that doesn’t answer the question: https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1qhzf3r/why_does_it_sometimes_say_your_passcode_is/


iPhone 16e, iOS 26

Posted on Mar 25, 2026 12:35 PM

Reply
2 replies

Mar 25, 2026 5:37 PM in response to KiltedTim

Yes but it doesn’t ask ”your passcode is needed to enable FaceID”.


It says ”your passcode is needed to unlock iPhone”.


When I google the last phrase there’s almost no results. All results is from ”your passcode is needed to enable FaceID”


That’s why I think it’s a bug or something. I been a iPhone owner since 10 years I have not seen this message for at least 5 years.

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iPhone repeatedly asks for passcode to unlock.

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