If Face ID is not working on your iPhone after iOS 17 update, here’s what you can do to fix it.
Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more — all with just a glance. When Face ID is not available or not working after iOS 17 update, these solutions will help you fix it.
There could be numerous reasons why Face ID is not working on your iPhone running iOS 17. For instance, the problem might arise due to a random iOS glitch, a miscellaneous bug, or even your sunglasses or faulty screen guard. Therefore you will need to take a close look at various things to fix the Face ID issues on iOS 17.
So, if you cannot set up your iPhone Face ID, it has stopped working randomly, or it doesn’t recognize your face correctly after iOS 17 update, just follow the troubleshooting tips below to get it working again. These solutions apply to all iPhone models with Face ID, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone XS, and iPhone XR.
How to Fix iPhone Face ID Not Working After iOS 17 update
If you find Face ID not working after iOS 17 update, there are ways to fix it.
Here’s a list of the best possible solutions to fix Face ID not working after iOS 17 update:
Solution 1. Check the Face ID Settings
Before we start troubleshooting, it’s always good to start with basic checks. Here’s how to make sure Face ID is set up and its settings are correct:
- Start the Setting’s app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode.
- If you see Reset Face ID, that means you have already set up Face ID. Otherwise, follow the prompts to set it up now.
- Make sure the options for iPhone Unlock, iTunes & App Store, Wallet & Apple Pay, and Password AutoFill are turned on.
Solution 2. Check Face ID Permission for Third-Party Apps
Third-party banking, payment, instant messaging, and other such apps might use Face ID for authentication to log in. If you denied the app permission to use Face ID in the past, you will need to enter your iPhone passcode each time instead.
Here’s how to ensure Face ID is enabled for a supported third-party iPhone app:
- Open Settings and scroll down to the bottom, where third-party apps are listed.
- Tap the concerned app.
- Make sure the toggle for Face ID is on.
Alternatively, you can see the complete list of apps that have requested Face ID access by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Other Apps.
Solution 3. Make Sure Nothing Is Blocking Face ID sensors
The Face ID sensors are located at the top of the iPhone display. Many people who use the screen guard, experience Face ID problems since there are some low-quality screen guards, which might block the Face ID sensors partially. Therefore, before getting into any advanced guide, make sure screen guard, or anything else does not block the Face ID sensors.
Solution 4. Make Sure You’re Not Blocking Your Face
Face ID won’t work if you’re wearing a face mask, veil, or any other piece of clothing, and even some specific sunglasses. For the smooth working of Face ID, make sure you don’t block your face with anything. At places where you must wear a mask or veil, entering the iPhone passcode manually is the only option, unless you have an Apple Watch.
Plus, when you’re in a crowded bus or stadium, Face ID may get confused due to numerous faces around you. In these situations, try to hold the iPhone properly so that the system can precisely scan your face.
Solution 5. Hold Your iPhone properly
On an iPhone, Face ID only works when you hold it in portrait orientation. On an iPad, it works in both portrait and landscape modes.
So, Face ID won’t work when you are in bed and try to unlock the phone while it’s in landscape mode. Make sure you hold it correctly.
If your Face ID is not working intermittently, there is a possibility that you are not holding your iPhone at the appropriate distance. Apple suggest that you should hold your iPhone at a distance of 10-inches to 20-inches for Face ID to work appropriately. So, keep this essential thing in mind while unlocking your iPhone using Face ID.
Solution 6. Restart Your iPhone
One of the most basic yet effective ways to fix Face ID issues after iOS 17 update is to restart your iPhone.
To restart your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
Once the restart process is complete, the Face ID components that stopped working after iOS 17 update should work perfectly now.
Solution 7. Update Your iPhone
If Face ID is not working on your iPhone, another thing you should check for is the latest software update. Sometimes specific Face ID functionality might not be working due to iOS bug, and that can be fixed only installing a new update rolled out by Apple.
To check for an iOS update, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, don’t hesitate to download and install it.
Solution 8. Set Up an Alternate Appearance
You can set up an alternate appearance that may help Face ID perform better if you’re wearing glasses, have facial hair, or have changed your appearance in another way. Here’s how to do that:
- Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode. Authenticate using the device passcode.
- Tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance and complete the process to add an additional appearance.
Solution 9. Reset Face ID and Re-register Your Face
Many people claimed that Face Recognition started working after re-registering the face. This is a common problem among many iPhone users. If some internal files are replaced or corrupted due to third-party apps, the Face Recognition might not work as usual. Therefore, you can re-register your face to fix this issue.
To reset Face ID on your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and complete the setup process again.
Solution 10. Turn off Attention Aware Feature
By default, Face ID requires you to look at your iPhone with the intent to unlock the device. While this is a handy feature for extra security, you should turn this feature off if you encounter too many failed unlock attempts. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Here, you can scroll down to see the Require Attention for Face ID option and turn it off.
When you turn off the toggle, a popup shows up on the screen saying, “If you turn this off, Face ID will unlock your iPhone even if your eyes are not clearly open and looking at the screen.” Tap on OK to confirm the action.
Solution 11. Reset All Settings
When you reset all iPhone settings, personal data like photos, videos, apps, music, and such are not removed. However, all the settings you have ever changed or added, like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Home Screen layout, VPN, and Keyboard settings, are erased and set back to the default.
When your iPhone’s Face ID is not working after iOS 17 update, or if Face ID suddenly stopped working, resetting all settings can help you fix this issue. To reset all settings, do follow these steps.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Once the process completes, set up Face ID again; it should work perfectly now.
Solution 12. Factory Reset Your iPhone
If you’re still experiencing the problem of Face ID not working after iOS 17 update, consider factory resetting your iPhone. This will erase everything, including apps, settings, and all other data, from your iPhone. So make sure you back up your iPhone first.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase all Content and Setting’s.
Once the reset completes, you can set up your iPhone as a new device or restore it from a computer or iCloud backup.
Solution13. Make Sure Your Repairs Are Carried Out by Apple
Did you recently get your iPhone screen replaced? Or, did you get it repaired for some hardware problem at an unauthorized service center? If yes, Face ID will most likely not work on this iPhone until you get it fixed at an Apple Store, or one that’s authorized by Apple.
If you recently dropped your iPhone on a hard surface, there may have been physical issues with the Face ID sensors. Due to this, it may be unavailable, crash on the setup screen, or not work at all.
All iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later) are waterproof to an extent. However, Face ID may not work if the iPhone was underwater for a very long time.
If your situation fits either of the above instances, consider contacting Apple Support and schedule a Genius Bar appointment.
iPhone Face ID not Working after iOS 17 Update: Fixed!
As you can see, the solutions to the ‘Face ID not Working after iOS 17 update’ issue are pretty simple. If the Face ID issue wasn’t related to hardware, the above solutions should have fixed this problem. Have you experienced Face ID problems after iOS 17 update? Did the above tips fix your issue? If you have any other handy tips to fix the problem, drop a comment and let us know!