How To Fix Face ID Not Working After Updating To 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stopped working right after updating to iOS 14, please make sure that you’re iPhone runs the public release and not an outdated beta version.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iPhone displays 14.0 and when you tap on it a different build number is shown it means that your device is running an outdated beta version!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
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:
- 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:
- 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!
I will try update my iPhone to iOS 14.2 Beta. Because my camera broke when I updated my iPhone 7 to iOS 14. then, i update my iphone to ios 14.2, my camera problem is fixed. Maybe… Face ID can work…
Yusuf, thanks for sharing. Please let us know if you manage to fix Face ID with iOS 14.2 Beta.
I think it’s worse than just the little advice you’re giving, check the thread here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251809922
charlesdg, thanks for your feedback. Are you experiencing this problem? Did you find a working fix?
The worst user experience. Updated iPhone 11x pro with working face id to IOS 14.4. Was not able to set alternative appearance, had to go to reset faceid option. After reset and multiple reboots attempt to setup face id constantly getting face id is not available.
Polina, thanks for sharing this. Please physically clean your Face ID module. Reboot device and try again. Let us know if it helps.
My face ID stopped working when i upgraded to 14.4. I’ve tried rebooting, resetting the face ID, but it won’t let me even frame my face. If anyone knows how to fix it, please let me know,
Sorry to hear about this. Have you updated to iOS 14.5 in the meantime? Does it fix your Face ID issue?
My face ID stopped working when i upgraded to 14.6. I’ve tried rebooting, resetting the face ID, but it won’t let me even frame my face. If anyone knows how to fix it, please let me know
What iPhone model are you using?
HI ALL IOS USERS!
I AM ALSO FACING (FACE ID IS NOT AVAILABLE) AFTER I UPDATED MY IPHONE XS MAX TO 14.6
WILL BE GLAD IF ANYONE HELP ME TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.
I bought new iphone 11 but it is showing face id is not available try setting up face id later . True depth camera and all are covered with protection glass and also after 14.6 update front portrait camera showing blck screen . Please help me .
Did it work before you applied the glass screen protector?
mi 11pro max suddenly said your face id is not available when i was listening to music and nothing phisicaly happened I updated it to ios 14.7.1 and it still not working .
and it say face id has been disabled
some one help me please
What happens if you browse for Settings -> Face ID & Passcode. Can you Set Up an Alternate Appereance? Or are you able to Reset Face ID?
My face ID stopped working when I upgraded to 14.7 for XS MAX . I’ve tried rebooting, restored to factory settings from iTunes, upgrading to the latest available software version, but it won’t let me allow to setup FACEID . I have also visited apple authorized store and they are asking to replace the full device as there is an issue with sensor which is not reparable. But for that, I have to pay huge price ( in which I can buy new latest device) as my device is out of warranty. This is really not acceptable as this is very common issue, and for sure it’s a bug from Apple . Apple have to fix this by repairing or replacing device at free of cost.
Thanks fro reporting this Sam. However, we did not notice or receive any other similar reports. Your Face ID might have stopped working because of hardware failure or a shock, that happened in the same time with the update. You sure that this isn’t a coincidence. Haven’t seen other reports from iPhone owners claiming that iOS 14.7 bricked Face ID.
P.S.: Why aren’t you updating to iOS 15.2? It would be interesting to see if Face ID starts working normally and confirm that this is a software related issue.