• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TechMate Tips

TechMate Tips

Apple Products Troubleshooting and Social Media Tips

  • Apple
  • Accessories
  • Wearables
  • Internet
  • Social Media
  • Health and Wellness
Home » Apple

What to do when your iPhone shows Face ID is not available message

January 30, 2022 by Hemant Saxena

It’s a bane to see the ‘Face ID is not available’ message on your iPhone screen while trying to unlock it or using the feature to sign in to some services. As we know, its setup adds the convenience of both, security, and effortlessness. So, discovering the feature not working properly even when you have it enabled can come in as a rude shock for anyone. Read what you can do to fix it!

How to remove the Face ID is not available error message from your iPhone screen

Face ID is not available
Face ID is not available

It’s hard to imagine using your iPhone when the Face ID is not available. Besides, unlocking your device the feature allows you to quickly sign into apps and approve purchases without needing to press a button or manually enter a password. It’s just a one-time process and once it uses that scan to learn your appearance, you can use this face-recognition system to authenticate various actions. So, when you find FaceID not working take these troubleshooting steps.

  1. Check your Face ID settings
  2. Make sure nothing is covering the TrueDepth camera
  3. Add an alternate appearance

Before proceeding with the above solutions, check if your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS. If not, update it immediately!

Face ID not working

The most common use case for Face ID is unlocking your device. On an iPhone, it works only when you hold the iPhone vertically. On an iPad Pro, Face ID works in any orientation Just tap on the display or pick your phone up to view notifications. If it throws up an error message, do the following.

1] Check your Face ID settings

To check your Face ID settings, launch Settings on your iPhone.

Scroll down to the Face ID & Passcode heading.

Expand the heading by tapping it. Then, make sure that Face ID is set up and that the features you’re trying to use Face ID with are enabled.

2] Make sure nothing is covering the TrueDepth camera

TrueDepth Camera
TrueDepth Camera

Residing at the top of your Smartphone is Apple’s TrueDepth camera system. It’s built using several components all working in tandem. For example, the sensors in it throw thousands of infrared dots onto your face and use them to map your facial features like wrinkles and curves. So, the next time you hold your phone in front of your face and a match is found, it will unlock your device. If there’s any residue or your finger or palm is covering the TrueDepth camera, your Face ID will not be available.

3]  Add an alternate appearance

Setup Alternate Appearance
Setup Alternate Appearance

If there’s been any recent change in your appearance which looks vastly different, you’ll be prompted with the FaceID not available message. To fix it, you can set up an alternate appearance, so that Face ID recognizes you again. For this,

Go to Settings on your iPhone. Scroll down to the Face ID & Passcode heading.

If requested to enter your passcode, type in the digits. Select the Set Up an Alternate Appearance option. Then, look straight into your iPhone and place your face inside the frame.

Gently move your head to complete the circle. If you’re unable to move your head. When you finish the first Face ID scan, tap Continue. Gently move your head to complete the circle for a second time.

When the Face ID setup is complete, tap Done.

That’s how you can resolve the ‘Face ID is not available’ issue on your iPhone.

Hope that makes sense!

Category: Apple Tags: iOS Last Modified: March 12, 2022

Related Posts

  • How to fix iPad Magic keyboard backlit function when not working
  • How to switch to iPhone one-handed mode for a user-friendly experience
  • How to disable iPhone WiFi password prompt

About Hemant Saxena

Hemant Saxena loves writing about technology full-time. He also enjoys making readers' lives easier by walking them through the most practical ways to use Apple devices, step-by-step.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Website Search

Recent Posts

  • How to enable YouTube SuperThanks feature for your channel
  • How to fix Netflix Error tvq-pb-101 (3.1.6) for a Smart TV
  • How to fix iPad Magic keyboard backlit function when not working
  • How to remove the Blue line around Apple Watch face
  • How to easily authorize Apple TV Purchases via your Apple Watch

Trending Topics

AirPods AirTags Amazon App Apple Watch Appliance Apps Best of Techmate Bing Browser CarPlay Equipment Facebook fitness Games General Google Hardware HomePod Instagram iOS iPhone lifestyle Mac MacOS Magic Mouse 2 MagSafe Netflix PayPal Printers Snapchat Spotify Telegram Trending tvOS Twitter WhatsApp

© 2022 TechMate Tips - Apple Products Troubleshooting and Social Media Tips

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy