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iOS 27 require password every time to unlock phone

I updated my iPhone 17 Air to iOS 27 and now it requires me to enter my password instead of accepting my FaceID 9 out 10 times I use my phone. It either says "Enter Password" or a similar message. The phone is held in the proper position and in a well lit environment to ensure the camera captures my face. This was never an issue prior to updated to iOS 27.

Posted on Sep 20, 2026 6:04 AM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 20, 2026 6:33 AM

Try a Force Restart (completely different from a simple restart) --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support


In the last step when you swipe to power off DON'T swipe. KEEP HOLDING the side power button until the screen goes black after the swipe to power off appears and KEEP HOLDING until you see the Apple Logo, then let go.


Have you cleaned your iPhone screen?


If that doesn't help, set up Face ID again and if that doesn't help, then schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar to have your phone tested.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 20, 2026 6:33 AM in response to gta1216

Try a Force Restart (completely different from a simple restart) --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support


In the last step when you swipe to power off DON'T swipe. KEEP HOLDING the side power button until the screen goes black after the swipe to power off appears and KEEP HOLDING until you see the Apple Logo, then let go.


Have you cleaned your iPhone screen?


If that doesn't help, set up Face ID again and if that doesn't help, then schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar to have your phone tested.

Sep 30, 2026 5:22 AM in response to gta1216

I've force restarted my phone several times and seems to improve somewhat but most times I'm still required to enter my passcode. Even though require attention and attention aware has always been disabled, but this glitch is worse than when they were enabled.


When I visited Genius Bar, the problem obviously didn't exist. The staff ran diagnostic test and it shows software needed update. It was updated to iOS 27.0.1. We tested several times and it recognised it right away each time. He ran diagnostic test again and there was nothing wrong.


After I left the Apple Store, the problem came back but I was too far to return.

Nov 10, 2026 4:24 PM in response to gta1216

Not only does it now require my password every time I open my phone, it also demands my password for every app, often multiple times for the same app, and to sign into my Apple TV account on my television. I had to unplug the tv to fix that, otherwise the screen kept refreshing ti the sign in screen again. What fresh **** is this?

iOS 27 require password every time to unlock phone

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