Face ID Not Working on iPhone XS? Here’s How to Fix It

Face ID on the iPhone XS is a great way to unlock your phone quickly and securely—but sometimes it just refuses to work. Whether it’s not recognizing your face, failing randomly, or won’t set up at all, there are a few common reasons behind it—and even better, some straightforward fixes.

Let’s walk through how to troubleshoot Face ID issues on your iPhone XS.

1. Understand When Face ID Temporarily Disables Itself

Face ID won’t work in these specific scenarios:

Your iPhone just restarted or powered on.
You haven’t unlocked it for over 48 hours.
Face ID hasn’t been used in 4 hours, and no passcode was entered in the last 6.5 days.
There have been 5 failed Face ID attempts.
You triggered Emergency SOS (Side + Volume button).
The device was remotely locked using Find My iPhone.

If any of those apply, enter your passcode first to re-enable Face ID.

2. Update Your iPhone’s Software

Software bugs can cause Face ID issues, and Apple often fixes them in updates.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Restart your iPhone after updating.

3. Reset and Re-Set Up Face ID

Reconfiguring Face ID often clears out glitches from a faulty setup.

Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
Enter your passcode, then tap Reset Face ID.
Tap Set Up Face ID, then follow the onscreen instructions.
- Hold your iPhone in portrait orientation.
- Position your face inside the circle and move your head slowly in a circle.
- Complete the scan twice.

4. Restart Your iPhone XS

Sometimes a simple restart is all it takes to fix Face ID bugs.

Press and release Volume Up.
Press and release Volume Down.
Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

5. Check for Obstructions on the TrueDepth Camera

Remove any screen protector or case that might cover the front camera.
Wipe the area clean with a soft cloth to remove smudges or dirt.

6. Make Sure Your Face Is Fully Visible

Avoid masks, scarves, or hats that cover key parts of your face.
Try removing sunglasses, especially if they block infrared light.
Hold the phone 10–20 inches away, in portrait orientation.
Look directly at the screen and ensure you’re within the camera’s view.

7. Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If Face ID still isn’t working, try a full reset—but back up your data first.

Connect your iPhone XS to your computer.
Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
Select your device and click Back Up Now if needed.
Click Restore iPhone, then confirm.
After it finishes, set up your iPhone as new and test Face ID again.

Still Not Working?

If none of the above fixes work, it could be a hardware problem with the TrueDepth camera. In that case, schedule a visit with Apple Support or head to a Genius Bar for inspection.

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