How to fix “Face ID Not Available” error on iPhone

Face ID authentication has become the most fascinating and most used security authentication technology among users of Apple devices.

With a simple glance, Face ID securely unlocks your iPhone or iPad Pro. You can use it to authorize payments with Apple Pay, purchases from the App Store, Book Store, and other Apple media services, and more.This amazing technology can fail sometimes, displaying the error message “Face ID Not Available.”

In this article, I’ll walk you through the the reasons why Face ID may not work on an iPhone or iPad Pro and how you can resolve the problem.

What is the meaning of "Face ID Not Available"?

When your device displays the error message "Face ID Not Available", it means that it is unable to use the facial recognition feature to identify you and authorise access. When this happens, it remains locked and you can not access other features. Multiple issues can cause the error, including hardware damage, software glitches, and improper face set-up.

Possible causes of Face ID Not Available

If you cannot use your device’s Face ID feature to unlock it, you should diagnose the cause of the problem and that’s when you can find a possible solution. The issue is attributed to multiple causes, and below are potential reasons as to why it is not working.

• Improper face set-up – The facial recognition feature uses biometrics for authentication and therefore, if your face is not properly positioned, an error may occur. It may be due to the lens angle or partially visible face.
• Camera obstruction – If the camera lenses are not clear, the correct face image cannot be captured and authenticated by the Face ID feature. Sometimes the camera lenses may be blocked by debris, smudge or other materials.
• Software glitches – A temporary Face ID software fault may cause it to freeze, crash, or give inappropriate results. It can also be caused by outdated iOS versions and corrupted settings.
• Hardware damage – The camera captures your face’s image and when it is damaged, the Face ID feature’s functionality is hampered. The camera may be faulty, or its lenses may be damaged.

Environmental factors – Using Face ID to unlock your device in certain environments may lead to an error. For instance, it will not function properly if the environment is not well-lit or at extreme angles. Sunglasses and masks can also obstruct your face.

How to fix "Face ID Not Available" error

When you encounter the "Face ID Not Available" error, you should find a way of fixing it so that you can unlock and access your device. Since there are multiple potential causes of the error, you will explore multiple possible solutions. Below are suggested ways of fixing "Face ID Not Available" issue on iOS devices.

1. Re-start your device

If you cannot specifically identify a problem with your iOS device, you can simply restart it. Device restart helps fix minor issues and software glitches. To restart your iOS device, simply press and hold the side button and volume up/down button for a while until the power slider appears, then slide it off.

Wait for a while before powering it on. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. 

2. Do not cover TrueDepth camera

The Face ID feature relies on the image captured by the TrueDepth camera for authentication. Therefore, if you encounter a "Face ID Not Available" error, ensure that the camera is clean to capture clear images.

Clean the front camera using a microfibre cloth to remove dirt and smudges. Check if the screen protector or case blocks the camera and fix it appropriately.

3. Check for iOS updates

Software updates may contain bug fixes that may interfere with the functioning of the Face ID feature. Ensure you check and install the latest iOS version. To install the latest iOS updates, follow the procedure below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select General from the list of items.
3. Open Software Update.
4. Click Download and Install if an update is available.

4. Check supported devices

Not all iOS devices support the Face ID feature. The feature is set on iPhone X and later devices. Therefore, it will not be available if you use iPhone 8,7, 6 and older devices.

5. Reset Face ID

Removing and restoring Face ID may help solve the problem. Sometimes, an error might occur during the initial set-up procedure, which may lead to problems when using the feature. To remove and restore Face ID, follow the procedure below:

1. Go to Settings and select Face ID & Passcode.
2. Select Face ID, enter your passcode, and choose the Delete Face button to remove it.
3. Once complete, return to Face ID & Passcode and set up a new Face ID by following the instructions provided.

6. Reset all settings

Resetting all settings will return the device’s settings to their default state but does not erase data and media. This is a possible remedy if your device is crashing, freezing, hanging, or experiencing other issues you may not understand. Here is how to reset all settings:

1. Go to Settings and select General.
2. Choose Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. Tap Reset and choose Reset All Settings.
4. Enter your passcode and confirm.
5. Your device will restart with your content remaining unaltered but setting reset to their default status.

7. Restore factory settings

This option should probably be the last resort if all the others do not work. Unlike resetting all settings, restoring factory settings returns settings to their default status while also erasing the device’s content. This option is the same as flashing your iPhone. Even as a last resort, it is not a sure-proof solution to Face ID Not Available. Here is how to restore factory settings.

1. Go to Settings and select General
2. Choose Transfer or Reset iPhone
3. Tap Erase All Content & Settings
4. Follow the instructions provided to complete the reset

Why is the iPhone saying "Face ID is not available"?

You may not activate Face ID if your iPhone model does not support it, or it requires a software update. The feature is only supported on iPhone X and later devices.