Face ID isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad and you don’t know why. No matter what you do, you can’t unlock your device or set up Face ID for the first time. In this article, I’ll explain what to do when iPhone “Face ID Is Not Available”. These steps will help you fix Face ID on your iPad too!
Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone or iPad is a quick fix for a minor software glitch that could be the reason why Face ID is not available. On iPhones, simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the “slide to power off” slider appears on the display.
Swipe the circular, white and red power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone X or newer. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen to turn your iPhone back on.
On iPads, press and hold the power button until “slide to power off” appears. Just like on an iPhone, swipe the white and red power icon from left to right to turn off your iPad. Wait a few moments, then press and hold the power button again to turn your iPad on again.
Make Sure Nothing Is Covering The Notch
If your iPhone’s or iPad’s TrueDepth camera is obstructed, Face ID won’t be able to recognize your face, so it won’t work. The TrueDepth camera is located in the notch on the iPhone X and newer models, and at the very top of your iPad when you hold it in Portrait orientation.
Remember to make sure the top of your iPhone or iPad is completely clean and clear, otherwise Face ID might not work properly! First, grab a microfiber cloth and wipe off the notch at the top of your iPhone’s display. Then, make sure your case isn’t obstructing the TrueDepth camera.
Make Sure Nothing Is Covering Your Face
Another common reason why Face ID might not be available is because something is covering your face. This happens to me quite often, especially when I’m wearing a hat and sunglasses.
Take off your hat, hood, sunglasses, or ski mask before trying to set up Face ID on your iPhone or iPad. If your face is clear and Face ID is not available, move onto the next step.
Hold Your iPhone Or iPad In Portrait Orientation
Face ID only works when you’re holding your iPhone or iPad in Portrait orientation. Portrait orientation means holding your iPhone or iPad vertically, rather than on its side. The TrueDepth camera will be at the top of the display when you’re holding your iPhone or iPad in Portrait Orientation.
Update To Latest Version Of iOS
iOS is the operating system that runs on your iPhone or iPad. iOS updates introduce new features and sometimes fix minor or major software problems.
Head to Settings -> General -> Software Update to see if a new version of iOS is available. Tap Download and Install if a software update is available.
Put Your iPhone Or iPad In DFU Mode
Our final software troubleshooting step when your iPad or iPhone says “Face ID Is Not Available” is to put it in DFU mode and restore. A DFU (device firmware update) restore is the deepest restore you can perform on an iPhone or iPad. It erases and reloads every line of code on your device, giving it a completely fresh start.
I recommend saving an iPhone or iPad backup before putting it in DFU mode. When you’re ready, check out our step-by-step DFU restore guide! If you’re troubleshooting your iPad, check out our video on how to put iPads in DFU mode.
iPhone & iPad Repair Options
You’ll probably have to take your iPhone or iPad into your nearest Apple Store if it still says “Face ID Is Not Available”. There could be a hardware problem with the TrueDepth Camera.
Don’t delay in setting up an appointment at your local Apple Store! Apple will swap your faulty iPhone or iPad with a brand new one, if you’re still within the return window. Apple also has a great mail-in program in case you can’t make it to a brick and mortar location.
Did You Get The Screen Replaced With A Non-Apple Part?
If you recently had your iPhone screen replaced with a non-Apple part, that’s likely the reason why Face ID is disabled. When your iPhone detects the non-Apple part, it locks Face ID.
Unfortunately, an Apple tech won’t touch your iPhone when they recognize the non-Apple part. If you can, try to have the original screen put back on — but even that’s not a guarantee.
The best an Apple tech can do when they see the non-Apple part is replace the iPhone entirely, which as you can probably guess, will be more expensive than a screen replacement.
Face ID: Available Again!
Face ID is available on your iPhone or iPad and now you can unlock your device just by looking at it! Next time “Face ID Is Not Available” on your iPhone or iPad, you’ll know how to fix the problem. Feel free to leave any other questions you have about Face ID down below in the comments section!
View Comments (43)
I’ve had to fix my phones many times. The first time I fixed my 11s screen and battery everything worked fine. FaceID worked perfectly. The second time I did it, with a screen from the same seller, faceID is unavailable even though my front camera works.
I finished working on my wife’s Xs screen yesterday, her Face ID works perfectly fine.
ive examined mine with a magnifying glass and all, no problem, Then I replaced the sensors, same thing, won’t work. Then I ordered a True Tone screen, same thing, no Face ID. At this point I’m convinced it’s just luck of the draw.
My phone had no issue the Face ID just suddenly stoped working
it’s showing me not available
no fall no scratch no repairs
what’s the problem then
hello, I have a problem and it is that I changed the screen to my iPhone 11 and well the first day after changing it everything was fine but the second day the face id stopped working :c and well I don't know what the problem is because when I want to configure the face id I get an image of the camera but when it goes to scan the face the message that the face id is not available :c I don't know if maybe someone here can tell me what the problem is? I would really appreciate it ( curious fact: yesterday I got ios 16 and when my phone restarted due to the update I had to do some steps that the phone asked me and one of those was the face id but there it worked but after configuring everything again it stopped working: c)
After getting through most steps listed, read a comment about screen protector not being clean enough and therefore blocking the sensors. Tried it and worked immediately.
awesome, the turning off and retting helped..
Did all of these people not READ the article? If u just had ur screen replaced then your Face ID stopped working then it almost definitely is because the tech u took it to used a NON apple replacement screen!
Face id works with non genuine parts. Face id stops working when front camera or earpiece damages or replaced .
Just to be clear, once a non apple replacement screen is used, there is no way to use face iD again unless you buy a completely new phone??? That seems insane.
Non genuine screen does not effect face id function
I think it might be a problem with the truedepth thing, because the portrait mode from the front camera doesn’t work and my face id as well. Guess I have to set up an appointment ? (iphone 12 pro max btw)
Yes thats true. Only apple can fix face id issue
how much does it cost?
If you did a DFU restore, then yes, it sounds like there's probably a hardware problem.
Forehead slap. Smudge on left area of notch. So thin i thought no way that was the problem. Rubbed it clean and TA DA.
I did the turn off and turn back on thing but when it come back on it’s said that Face ID isn’t available on my iPhone X. My phone has just come back from a 4 month repair and I can’t uses Face ID. I don’t know to do because I have tried all of the things and I don’t really want to give my phone back up again to go get repaired after not having it for 4 months. Please can you help me.
my front lens was dirty - cleaned it and now it works
That'll happen! It's a good idea to regularly clean your iPhone.
I used the 1st method and everything is working perfectly thank you so much for you help
Got mine to work after I removed my screen protector. The sensors needs to have absolute crystal clear view . I realised my protector had an air gap underneath the front lens . Once removed , clean lens, power cycle the phone and try again . Maybe I just got lucky .
Does a screen cover result in "Face ID is Not Available"? I've tried your suggestions... they have not worked. I have a clear screen cover...
My iPhones X is showing “Face ID is Not Available”? I’ve tried your suggestions… they have not worked. I have a clear screen cover… it did use to work
This helped! Thanks so much!!!
Hi l’m buying a new iPhone x and the seller is telling me that it has no face id and that is a different version. Just want to ask is that true there is iPhone x without face id?
It's possible that, if it's used, the hardware for Face ID is damaged or defective, so Face ID may not be available.
My own personal update to this problem, on July 23, 2020: iOS 14, beta 3 *FIXES* this issue. Nothing on this page helped, and I was about to take the phone in for repair, but suddenly (with a developer account) when I updated to beta 3 today voila! it worked again no problem. Beta 3 should be available to the public in August, or you can wait for iOS 14's official release (prob. in Sept) to get the fix.
Exactly after I stal update I lost all camera and flash light?
Got a brand new iPhone yesterday, set up the Face ID and it worked perfectly until today, after my shower when I put my hair in a ponytail!!!
Tried to reset it but it didn't work ?
is your advice the same for REsetting the Face ID?
My Face ID worked successfully for a day.?
(thought my problems would all be over with a new phone).
Linda
I did everything but it is still not working
If you tried all the steps in this article and Face ID is still not available, there might be something with your camera, sensors, or the chip that makes Face ID possible. You should consider having your phone looked at by a professional for repairs when you can to see if they can identify the problem.
I did everything but face id is not available yet
Thank You! Worked like a charm!
I have done all of this and still cannot set up my Face ID.
Sir I did as you said ..I off it and still it doesn’t work what should I do next ?
Same
Try contacting Apple if the Face ID problem persists
Tried all of these solutions without success. Just when we were about to replace the phone, we remembered the screen protector glass. Once we removed it the Face ID resumed working perfectly
I restarted and it worked for me :) Thanks
I just sent my iphone xs max to have a screen repaired. When I got it back today, I tried to set up the face id and it says not available, try again later. I have powered it off and followed every step of this article and it still does not work. It worked before I sent it off for repair. I do not have an apple store near me.
Yep. Same here. I'm not sure if this is the first time I've replaced the screen on a Face ID phone, but I don't have a good feeling about this.
Literally the exact same thing happens to me. When I went to go get it repaired they repaired it and now the Face ID doesn't work.
The same thing happened to me!
Did you find a fix for this? I’m having the same problem
I called AT&T called apple went thru all the trouble shooting steps & no one seemed to be able to help they said my only choice was to return the device. all I was getting was Face ID Not Available so I googled it & boom first thing on this article was turn off device for some reason although we did all the trouble shooting I never thought about shutting off the device once I turned it on it was working like a charm thank you!