Face ID on iPhones offers a quick way to unlock your phone with a glance. You can also set it as your primary way to log into accounts, from Facebook to your bank, and use it to confirm Apple Pay payments. So, Face ID not working can be a major inconvenience. Unfortunately, many iOS 26 users have experienced Face ID problems, with issues including:
Error messages such as “Face ID unavailable”
Phones refusing to unlock without the passcode
Face ID settings greyed out
Thankfully, most of these issues are easy to fix. Here’s how.
How to Fix Face ID Not Working After the iOS 26 Update
Step 1. Head to “Settings” > “Face ID & Passcode.” This is where you can adjust all your settings related to logging into your phone.
Step 2. You will need to enter your passcode to change any settings in this section, so make sure you know it before you start this process.
Step 3. From here, tap on “Reset Face ID.” Note: If “Reset Face ID” is greyed out or won’t work, scroll further down and turn off “Stolen Device Protection.”
Step 4. Now tap on “Set Up Face ID.”
Step 5. Follow the onscreen instructions carefully, moving your head in a circular motion as directed. Pro tip: Make sure the room you’re in is well-lit, and avoid holding the phone too close to your face. Once this process is complete, you should find that you can use Face ID again as normal.
What to Try if Face ID Is Still Not Working
First, check that the latest software patch has been installed correctly. To check this, head to Settings > General> Software update. If there’s a new update ready to install, follow the onscreen instructions, as this update will most likely include the fixes that will resolve your Face ID issues.
Other things you can try:
Restart your iPhone by fully powering off the device, waiting a few seconds, then powering it back on.
Add an alternate appearance: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Set Up an Alternative Appearance.
Reset all the settings on your phone to default: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset All Settings. You won’t lose any data, but all settings will be as they were when you first set up your device.
Carefully clean the front-facing camera and sensor, which is what enables Face ID to work. Use a lint-free cloth and a tiny amount of lens-cleaning solution. Never use harsh chemicals.
Take the case off the phone, as it may be obscuring the sensor. If this fixes the problem, you may need to consider investing in a different type of iPhone case.
As an avid gamer, I’ve run into my fair share of error codes and weird faults that have forced me to find fixes to problems I never anticipated. That gave me a passion for sharing those fixes with others so we can all game without feeling like our hardware is rebelling against us.
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