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If Face ID isn’t working on your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max, work through these checks in order: clear the TrueDepth camera, adjust your face and surroundings, check the relevant Face ID setting, restart, then reset Face ID if needed. If the camera fails or setup repeatedly stalls, contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider rather than attempting a repair yourself.

1. Clear the TrueDepth camera area

Face ID needs an unobstructed view of your face. Apple places the TrueDepth camera near the top-left corner of iPhone 18 Pro models. Wipe away smudges, then temporarily remove anything that might cover the camera, including a case or screen protector. Apple specifically recommends removing a privacy screen protector while troubleshooting.

If you are testing Face ID in landscape, check that your finger or palm is not covering the camera.

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2. Make your face visible and check the lighting

Keep your eyes, nose, and mouth visible to the camera. If you use Face ID with a Mask, that feature must already be set up, and your eyes still need to be visible. Try without sunglasses that may block infrared light.

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Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro guidance also calls out conditions worth changing during a test: glasses and a mask together in low light, heavy makeup or a beauty mask, and strong sunlight behind you. Remove the glasses or adjust the mask in low light, remove heavy makeup or a beauty mask, and avoid strong backlighting.

3. Adjust distance and orientation

Hold the iPhone about 25–50 cm from your face, or roughly at arm’s length or closer. Face ID works in portrait and landscape on iPhone 13 models and later when running iOS 16 or later. Face ID with a Mask works only in portrait, so turn the phone upright if you are using that feature.

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4. Check the Face ID settings for the failing action

  1. Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
  2. Confirm Face ID is set up.
  3. Under the available Face ID uses, make sure the toggle for the action that fails is on—for example, iPhone Unlock, purchases, or app sign-in. Face ID can work for one action while being disabled for another.
  4. Install the latest iOS version available for your device: open Settings > General > Software Update.

5. Restart the iPhone and test again

Restart your iPhone, enter your passcode when prompted, then try Face ID again. The passcode prompt after a restart is expected; Face ID becomes available again after you unlock the phone with your passcode.

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6. Reset Face ID and set it up again

If the checks above do not help, remove the existing enrollment and create a new one.

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  1. Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
  2. Tap Reset Face ID.
  3. Tap Set Up Face ID and follow the on-screen instructions.

If your appearance changes substantially, or Face ID has trouble recognizing you with clear or prescription glasses, add an alternate appearance from the Face ID & Passcode settings.

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When to seek service

Contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if the camera does not work or Face ID setup repeatedly asks you to position your face without progressing. Apple advises: “Only a trained technician should service your device.” Do not open or attempt to repair the TrueDepth camera system yourself.

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Apple does not identify a confirmed iOS 26 defect or a single universal cause for Face ID failures in its troubleshooting guidance. The checks above help distinguish a problem limited to one Face ID action from an obstruction, difficult lighting or positioning, an enrollment issue, or a camera/setup problem.

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