The iPhone 13 doesn’t come with a fingerprint scanner at all. The only way to unlock it is by using Face ID or one of the other traditional methods like setting a passcode. So, if your iPhone 13 Face ID is not working properly, then you’re in a bit of trouble. There have been reports from iPhone 13 users that the Face ID has suddenly stopped working on their devices. So, what is causing the issue, and how do you fix it? In this article, I’ll explain how to fix Face ID not working on iPhone 13 – step-by-step.
Face ID is used to unlock your phone, authorize Apple Pay, approve purchases in the App Store, iTunes, iBooks, auto-fill passwords in Safari, sign in to third-party apps, such as banking or password manager apps among other things. When Face ID is not available or not working on your iPhone 13, the following solutions will help you fix it.
Causes of iPhone 13 Face ID Not Working
Because Face ID uses both software and the camera, either could be at fault when the feature malfunctions. You’ll have a few items to check when you’re troubleshooting the issue, but some possible reasons include:
- The camera is dirty or blocked.
- Your face is obscured.
- Your version of iOS is out of date.
- Face ID has another issue.
Apple also has several features that stop Face ID from working to keep your device more secure. The following conditions will prompt your phone to ask for your passcode instead, but none of them mean that the feature is not working.
- You haven’t unlocked your device in more than two days (48 hours).
- You haven’t used Face ID in over four hours and haven’t used your passcode in more than six and a half days (156 hours).
- You’ve used Find My iPhone to lock your device.
- The Emergency SOS feature is active on your phone.
Fixes for Face ID not working on iPhone 13
If you cannot set up your iPhone Face ID, it has stopped working randomly, or it doesn’t recognize your face correctly, just follow the troubleshooting tips below to get it working again. These fixes apply to iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Make sure Face ID is on
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, and then make sure that Face ID is turned on for the feature you’re trying to unlock. In addition to the iPhone’s unlock screen, you can also use Face ID on iTunes, the App Store, Apple Pay, , Password AutoFill and any third-party apps that support Face ID.
Restart your iPhone
If the face ID feature on your iPhone 13 is not working after trying the above solution, the next thing you want to try is to turning your phone off, power it back on, and enter your passcode. Then, lock it and try opening it with Face ID again.
Make sure nothing is blocking your face or your camera
One of the biggest reasons that Face ID may have stopped working on your iPhone 13 is that the Face ID sensors are covered. It might be the screen protector you are using. Try to remove/reapply any screen protector you have on the device if Face ID is not working. We would suggest using a screen guard with a precise cutout.
Also make sure your face is uncovered. The TrueDepth camera must have a full view of your eyes, nose, and mouth to process all the information that it needs. Also, check to make sure your sunglasses aren’t preventing your face ID. The camera works with some sunglasses, but infrared-blocking glasses can obstruct the camera’s view. Also, make sure that you are facing the camera.
Ensure you’re holding your iPhone correctly
While Face ID on iPad works regardless of how you’re looking at the tablet, it won’t work on iPhone unless the phone is in portrait (vertical) orientation.
Maintain the Required Distance
If your iPhone 13 Face ID is not working consistently, there is a possibility that you are not holding your device at a required distance. Face ID only works within a range of 10-inches to 20-inches of your face, so try holding your phone closer or farther away.
Clean the camera lens
Dirt and oil can stop your iPhone camera from working, so a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth can solve the problem.
Turn off “Require Attention”
If Face ID can’t recognize you when you’re wearing sunglasses, you can disable Require Attention for Face ID, which makes it possible to unlock your phone even when the TrueDepth camera can’t see your eyes. By default, Face ID requires you to look at your iPhone with the intent to unlock the device. While this is a handy feature for extra security, you should turn this feature off if you encounter too many failed unlock attempts. You can turn off this feature by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then scroll down and turn the switch next to Require Attention for Face ID to off/white.
Set up an alternate appearance
Face ID can recognize you despite minor changes in appearance, like if you gain or lose facial hair or start wearing glasses, but it won’t go along with more drastic differences. You can do this by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode -> Set Up an Alternative Appearance and set it up.
Note that when your appearance changes slightly — say your hair is done differently or you shaved your beard — Face ID might fail. But Face ID feature has a cool feature in store. When you enter your passcode after it failed to recognize you, it uses that scan to learn that your appearance has changed slightly. Next time, it should recognize you without issue.
Check for an iOS update
If Face ID is not working on your iPhone 13, another thing you should check for is the latest software update. Apple often releases bug fixes via new software updates, and you should update your iPhone as soon as the updates roll out. To check if you have a software update or not, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Once your device has downloaded and installed it, unlock it with your passcode, lock it again, and then see if Face ID works.
Reset Face ID
If none of the above solutions have worked for you, the most drastic measure you can take is reset Face ID and set it up again from scratch. You can do this by navigating to Settings > Face ID & Passcodes, and then select Reset Face ID.
To register your face, hold your device between 10 and 20 inches away from you. With your face centered in the circle, move your head around until the scan is complete. It’s easiest to slowly move in a circle. You’ll be asked to complete a second scan, after which Face ID setup will be complete. Now check if your phone unlocks without issue.
Contact Apple Support
If you find face recognition not working on iPhone 13 after trying the above steps, your device may have some hardware or software issues that require more intensive attention. Go ahead and book a Genius Bar appointment. Hopefully, Apple’s skilled technicians will be able to fix the problem.
Face ID Not Working on iPhone 13: Fixed!
As you can see, the solutions to the ‘Face ID not Working on iPhone 13’ issue are pretty simple. From what I can tell from my experience, the Face ID works quite reliably in most cases. Whenever I encounter any problems, these quick fixes often come to my rescue. So, I hope they work in fixing the Face ID on your iPhone 13 as well. If you have any other handy tips to fix the issue, drop a comment and do let us know.
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