Face ID not working after iOS 18 update? 6 working fixes!

With the release of iOS 18, many users encountered issues with Face ID not working properly after the update. Instead of using your face to unlock the device, iPhone continually asks you for your passcode. I tried restarting the device and resetting Face ID, but the problem persists.

If you’re facing this frustrating problem, you’re not alone. This article will guide you through the potential reasons why Face ID is not working after iOS 18 update and provide practical solutions to fix the problem.

Why is my Face ID not working after iOS 18 update?

If Face ID stopped working after updating to iOS 18, it is likely due to a software issue or a system setting changed during the update. Apple system updates may occasionally affect Face ID functionality, especially when new privacy or security features are introduced.

Here are some common reasons for the problem:

Software bugs: Sometimes new updates can cause bugs that interfere with Face ID recognition.

Resetting settings: iOS updates may reset some system settings that impact Face ID functionality.

Hardware problem: In rare cases, Face ID malfunctions may occur due to a hardware issue that appears accidentally after the update.

Method 1: Fix Face ID not working with iSumsoft iOS Refixer

There are various potential causes for this problem, but it can be difficult to immediately identify the exact problem. If you prefer to avoid constant trial and error, iSumsoft iOS Refixer offers a quick and effective solution to fix Face ID not working after iOS 18 update.

It is a professional and reliable iOS repair tool that helps you fix various iPhone issues at software level without losing any data. Whether the Face ID problem is caused by software issues or setting conflicts, as long as it is not a hardware problem, the software can quickly fix it for you.

Step 1: Download and install iSumsoft iOS Refixer on your computer (PC or Mac), then launch the program.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable. Next, unlock your iPhone with your passcode and tap Trust if prompted.

Step 3: On the main interface of the software, choose the System Repair option.

Step 4: On the next page, choose Standard mode, which allows you to fix Face ID problem without losing data.

Step 5: Click Start, then click Next to let the software detect your iPhone.

Step 6: When prompted to download the firmware package for your iPhone, click Download to begin downloading.

Step 7: Click Repair to start repairing your iPhone. This process removes any potential software issues, resets any incorrect system settings, and updates the iPhone to the latest version of iOS.

Step 8: When the software says the repair was successful, your iPhone will restart and Face ID should work fine.

If you prefer not to use a third-party solution, you will usually have to go through a series of troubleshooting steps to find a solution that actually works. Try the following solutions one by one until Face ID works again.

Method 2: Clean the Front Camera Lens and Reset Face ID

Many users reported that the iPhone did not allow them to recreate their Face ID when they tried to reset it. You may need to clean the front camera lens before trying to reset Face ID, which some users say works.

Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the front camera lens.
After cleaning, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Reset Face ID.
Follow the prompts to set up Face ID again.

After the iOS 18 update, minor obstructions on the TrueDepth camera lens may become more visible, preventing Face ID from working properly. This is why cleaning the lens can work.

Method 3: Force restart iPhone and reset Face ID

Many users reported that restarting the device did not work. You may need to try another way to restart your iPhone and then reset Face ID again. Here are two options:

Tap Settings > General > Shut Down to turn off your iPhone. Then turn the phone back on and see if you can reset Face ID again.
Quickly press and release the volume up button, then do the same with the volume down button, and finally press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. Once your iPhone turns back on, see if you can reset Face ID again.

Method 4: Disable Attention Request for Face ID

The Require Attention feature for Face ID is a security measure in iOS 18 that ensures Face ID only works when you are actively looking at the device. Although this improves security, sometimes it can be responsible for Face ID not working properly. Try disabling this feature to see if it fixes the problem:

Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
Scroll down and turn off the Require Attention features for Face ID and Attention Aware.

Method 5: Disable Restrictions for Face ID

If Face ID stopped working after the iOS 18 update, check if any restrictions were placed on Face ID features.

Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.
If restrictions are enabled, locate Passcode & Face ID and make sure Allow is selected.

After making these changes, check if Face ID starts working again.

Method 6: Restore Your iPhone in Recovery Mode

If none of the above methods fix Face ID malfunctioning and you prefer not to use third-party software, restoring your iPhone to recovery mode is your last resort. This process will erase all content and settings on your device and then reinstall the latest version of iOS, fixing deeper software issues that may be preventing Face ID from working.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable, then boot your iPhone into recovery mode.

Step 2: Open iTunes (on Windows or earlier macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later) on your computer.

Step 3: Once iTunes/Finder detects your iPhone, a dialog box will appear with update and restore options. Choose Restore.

Step 4: Select Restore and Update to confirm that you want to continue, then follow the on-screen instructions to begin the restoration process. This process usually takes between 15 minutes and an hour.

Step 5: Once the restoration is successful, you can reconfigure your iPhone, including recreating your Face ID. Once setup is complete, Face ID should start working properly.

Conclusion

Face ID is very convenient, but when it stops working after an iOS 18 update, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, the solutions we’ve outlined above can help resolve most issues without needing to visit an Apple Store or service center.

Start with the simplest fixes, like cleaning your front camera lens or force restarting your iPhone, and move on to more in-depth solutions like using iSumsoft iOS Refixer or restoring your device to recovery mode. recovery if necessary.

Remember, keeping your iPhone updated, cleaning the camera lens regularly, and managing Face ID settings can help prevent these issues from recurring in the future. If the problem persists even after trying all of these methods, it may be time to contact Apple Support for help.

With these solutions, you should be able to get your Face ID back up and running in no time.