How To Fix Face ID Not Working After Updating To iOS 14

How to fix Face ID in iOS 14

How to fix Face ID in iOS 14


A couple of readers have mailed us to ask for a fix for Face ID that’s not working anymore after updating to iOS 14! Users either can’t unlock the iPhone with Face ID anymore, and are asked to provide the Passcode, or they get the ‘Your code is required to activate Face ID’ error displayed on the screen. Some reported that they attempted to reset Face ID but got stuck at the ‘move the iPhone a little higher or lower’ screen.

Causes For Face ID Not Working

In order to troubleshoot this problem you have to pinpoint the cause. Face ID not working on your iPhone can be triggered by:

  • A bug caused by the iOS 14 update.
  • Lint accumulating under your screen protector, or other TrueDepth camera obstructions.
  • Screen replacement performed by unauthorized smartphone service units, that don’t use genuine Apple parts.
  • Hardware failure.

How To Fix Face ID Not Working In iOS 14

1. Update to iOS 14.0.1

If face ID stopped working right after updating to iOS 14, please make sure that you’re iPhone runs the public release and not an outdated beta version.
The ‘Your code is required to activate Face ID’ bug has been reported this summer during the iOS 14 beta testing stages.

Check: Open Settings browse for General -> About and check the Software Version available on your iPhone. The iOS 14.0 public release has beta build no. 18A373, while the current version iOS 14.0.1 has build no. 18A393.

Fact: If your iPhone displays 14.0 and when you tap on it a different build number is shown it means that your device is running an outdated beta version!
Fix: Open Settings, tap on General and scroll for the Configuration Profile section. Delete the iOS 14 Beta Profile, reboot your iPhone and open the Software Update screen. Update your device to iOS 14.0.1 or later.

Important: The Face ID not working bug in iOS 14 occurs hand in hand with Portrait Mode not working for front camera. If both of these problems occur on your iPhone you have to update to iOS 14.0.1 and the issue will be fixed.

2. Clean TrueDepth Camera

clean iPhone TrueDepth camera
If Face ID continues not to be available on your iPhone make sure that you exclude the mechanical problem. Clean the TrueDepth camera with a smooth dry wipe.
If you’re using a full-screen protector on your iPhone make sure that it’s not damaged in the TrueDepth camera area.

Considering that the software is up to date and that the TrueDepth camera has no obstructions you can continue with the following troubleshooting steps:

3. Force Restart iPhone

Often rebooting your iPhone is the best solution. Starting fresh will eliminate minor glitches and could also fix Face ID.
How To: Quick press and release Volume Up, Volume Down and press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo is displayed on the screen. Be patient until the iPhone resprings.
You do have to provide your Passcode, right after the device restarts, but Face ID should kick in after this.

4. Set Up Alternate Appearance

If Face ID continues not to work as expected you can set up a secondary look to help Face ID recognize your face in different environments:
how to set up alternate appearance

  • 1. Open the Settings app.
  • 2. Browse for Face ID & Passcode.
  • 3. Go for Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
  • 4. Tap on Get Started and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. Reset Face ID Settings

Setting up Face ID from scratch often solves any software glitches:
how to reset Face ID

  • 1. Open Settings.
  • 2. Tap on Face ID & Passcode. Provide your Passcode to confirm.
  • 3. Use the Reset Face ID option and reboot your iPhone.
  • 4. Return to the Face ID & Passcode settings page and tap on Set Up Face ID.
  • 5. Tap on Get Started and follow the on-screen prompts.

6. Restore iPhone

If Face ID still doesn’t work after performing all the above troubleshooting steps you have one last option to erase your iPhone and restore it from a backup.
The easiest way to do it is with the help of an iCloud backup.
Important: Make sure that you force an iCloud backup to have the most recent version of your iPhone saved in the cloud.
Backup: In Settings, tap on your Apple ID, select iCloud and open iCloud Backup. Tap on Back Up Now and be patient until a copy of your iPhone is uploaded to the cloud.
How To: Open Settings, tap on General and scroll for Reset. Tap on Erase All Content and Settings. Provide your Passcode and confirm.
Restore: Reboot iPhone and choose the restore from iCloud backup option. Follow the on-screen prompt and check if Face ID has been fixed.

Face ID Is Not Available

If you go through all the troubleshooting steps available above and Face ID is still not working or displaying the ‘Face ID Is Not Available. Try setting up Face ID later.’ prompt, you’re most likely dealing with a hardware problem and have to make an appointment to the Apple Genius Bar.
The same error can be displayed if your iPhone X, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max has experienced a screen replacement and the repair wasn’t performed with genuine Apple parts.

Have you managed to fix Face ID on iPhone in iOS 14, using one of the above tips? Which one worked for you? Let us know in the comments section available below.

Related: How to disable Face ID when wearing a face mask, during the COVID-19 pandemic!