iPhone 13 mini front camera not working, Face ID works

The fact that Face ID still works but the front camera doesn't is an important clue. Face ID uses a separate infrared/dot projector system within the TrueDepth camera assembly, while the visible-light front camera sensor is a distinct component. This means the Face ID hardware is intact but the main front camera may have failed.

Try these steps before concluding it's hardware:

1. Restart your iPhone:

- Press and hold the side button + volume down, slide to power off, then turn back on

2. Check Camera permissions:

- Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera

- Make sure Camera access is enabled for all apps you are trying to use

3. Force-quit and relaunch Camera:

- Swipe up to the app switcher, swipe away Camera, then reopen it

4. Reset All Settings (does not delete your data):

- Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings

- This resets system configurations that may be blocking camera access

5. Update iOS:

- Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates

If none of the above work, this is very likely a hardware failure of the front camera sensor. This can happen from a drop, pressure, or moisture even without visible damage. Since Face ID still functions, the TrueDepth dot projector is fine, but the main camera chip or its flex cable connection may have failed.

In this case, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store/authorized service provider for a front camera repair. If your iPhone 13 mini is still within its 1-year warranty period, the repair may be free.

You may try some of these steps, please check after each step...

1. Eye tracking relies heavily on the front-facing camera. Ensure the lens is clean and free from smudges or obstructions. Use a soft, lint-free cloth.
2. Ensure adequate lighting. Poor lighting can significantly impact eye-tracking performance.  
3. Sometimes assistive touch settings can interfere. Check your assistive touch settings within the accessibility menu.
4. Ensure your screen protector or case isn't obstructing the front-facing camera. See the poic below
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5. If you still need help, reset your Face ID, then set it up again. Go to Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, then tap Reset Face ID. Next, tap Set up Face ID to set it up again. If Face ID isn't working on your iPhone or iPad Pro
6. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
   1. Restart the device. That's it.
   2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
7. Corporate iPhone Profile Check and Removal Guide
   1. Is this your corporate iPhone? Then please contact the system administrator of your corporate.
   2. If it is your device, in that case, do you have any profile installed by your corporate/organization/enterprise/School Management?
   3. Erase the profile added by you If you have installed a profile on your own --> Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone - Apple ...
   4. Please contact the system administrator of the organization who provided the profile to you
8. Parts and service history
   1. With iPhone 12 models and later using iOS 15.2 and later, you can go to Settings > General > About to see the parts and service history of your iPhone and you can see if the camera has been replaced. If the repair was done using genuine Apple parts and processes, you will see "Genuine Apple Part" next to Camera.
   2. 
   3.  
   4. You will see an Unknown Part  message if the camera installation is incomplete or if the camera:
   5. Was replaced with a nongenuine camera
   6. Was already used or installed in another iPhone
   7. Isn't functioning as expected
   8. This message doesn't affect your ability to use your iPhone or access your camera. Learn more about iPhone parts and service history.
   9. If your iPhone's camera has been previously replaced, repaired, or serviced by an unauthorized service provider, it's worth noting that Apple may decline to provide service for your device. The decision to refuse service will depend on the specific components that were affected by the unauthorized service.
9. If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your data but will reset all personalized settings to their default values. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm the action. Note that you will need to reconfigure your settings afterward. All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
   1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
   2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
   3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.
   4. 
10. Make sure you have the latest updates installed.
    1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.