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You can unlock a supported iPhone or iPad with Face ID instead of typing your passcode each time, and you can use it to authenticate supported purchases and sign in to apps that support it. Face ID does not remove the passcode, though. Apple still requires the passcode in specific situations, so the passcode remains the device’s fallback.
Set up Face ID on your device
Setup is done in the Settings app. If the device has no passcode yet, Apple says the setup process prompts you to create one. Apple’s setup and usage instructions are in its Use Face ID article.
- Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your device passcode if prompted.
- Tap Set Up Face ID. Work in good lighting, hold the device in portrait orientation, and keep your face inside the frame.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the first scan. Repeat for the second scan, then tap Done.
- In Face ID & Passcode, turn on the uses you want Face ID to handle. If you need to set it up again, reset Face ID and repeat these steps.
If you cannot complete the full head movement
Apple provides Accessibility Options during setup for users who cannot perform the full head movement. Apple says this option requires more consistency when unlocking, so expect to present your face in the same way each time. Apple’s Face ID and attention settings guide covers the related settings.
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What Face ID can replace day to day
Face ID covers three kinds of routine authentication on supported devices:
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- Unlocking a supported iPhone or iPad.
- Authenticating supported purchases and payments.
- Signing in to apps that support Face ID. Some apps require you to sign in manually first before Face ID can be used for later sign-ins.
Settings determine which features can use Face ID. If a feature is switched off in Face ID & Passcode, it will not use Face ID. Source: Apple Support: Use Face ID.
When the passcode is still required
Apple’s passcode guidance says a passcode is required in these situations:
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- After turning on or restarting the device.
- When updating software.
- When erasing the device.
- When viewing or changing passcode settings.
- In other circumstances Apple specifies in its passcode guidance.
Treat Face ID as a convenience for supported authentication flows. Do not plan on removing the passcode from your device.
Limits by model, software and orientation
Face ID behaves differently depending on your hardware and software. Apple’s Use Face ID article sets out the following limits:
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| Device and software | Orientation for Face ID | Face ID with a mask |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 models and later with iOS 16 or later | Portrait or landscape | Supported on iPhone 12 or later with iOS 15.4 or later; with a mask enabled, works only in portrait orientation |
| Earlier Face ID iPhones | Portrait only | Mask support is listed by Apple only for iPhone 12 or later, so earlier models are not stated as supported |
| iPad | Any orientation | Not available on iPad |
Verify your exact model and software version in Settings > General > About and Settings > General > Software Update before assuming a given orientation or mask behavior applies to your device. Source: Apple Support: Use Face ID.
Apple gives an operating distance of approximately 10 to 20 inches (about 25 to 50 cm) between the device and your face. This is the guidance in Apple’s Use Face ID article as accessed in 2026; it is not an independent measurement of accuracy.
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Attention and accessibility trade-offs
Two settings change how strict Face ID is, and they pull in opposite directions.
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This setting unlocks the device only when your eyes are open and looking at the screen. Apple describes requiring attention as more secure. The trade-off is that a glance from the side or with eyes partly closed will not unlock the device, so it is best suited to users who want extra protection over the fastest possible unlock. The setting is described in Apple’s Face ID and attention settings guide.
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Accessibility Options during setup
This option lets you complete setup without the full head movement, but Apple notes that unlocking then requires more consistency. Users who rely on it may find Face ID works well for routine use, while still keeping the passcode close at hand for the situations listed above.
If Face ID is not working
Apple’s troubleshooting guidance follows a short sequence. Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm that Face ID is set up in Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
- Confirm that the specific feature you are using, such as unlocking or purchases, is turned on.
- Restart the device.
- When prompted, enter your passcode.
If the problem continues, Apple’s If Face ID isn’t working page lists further steps.
How Apple describes Face ID privacy
Apple’s iPhone User Guide states: “Face ID data is encrypted, isn’t saved to iCloud, and doesn’t leave your iPhone.” This is Apple’s own description in its Set up Face ID on iPhone guide, not the finding of an independent security audit.
Apple’s support page describes the feature this way: “Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone or iPad, authenticate purchases, sign in to apps, and more — all with just a glance.” Both statements come from Apple’s own documentation.
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