Face ID lets you unlock your iPhone and approve payments by looking at it

Face ID is the facial recognition system built into newer iPhones. Instead of typing a passcode or using your fingerprint, you can unlock your phone, approve App Store purchases, and authorize payments just by looking at your device. The camera system scans your face and compares it to the face data stored on your phone — nothing is sent to Apple's servers.

Setting up Face ID takes about two minutes and happens during initial iPhone setup or later in Settings. You'll need an iPhone with Face ID hardware: iPhone X and newer models all support it. If you're adding Face ID to a phone that already has other security methods, your existing passcode stays active as a backup.

Key Takeaways

  • Face ID setup requires an iPhone X or newer and happens in Settings under Face ID & Passcode.
  • The setup process scans your face from multiple angles and takes about two minutes to complete.
  • You must enter your passcode before setting up Face ID, and your passcode remains your backup unlock method.
  • Face ID works even if you're wearing glasses, sunglasses, or a hat, but not if your face is completely covered.
  • You can add a second face to the same iPhone, which is useful if two people share the device.

Check that your iPhone supports Face ID

Face ID is available on iPhone X and all newer models. This includes iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max. If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier, your phone uses Touch ID (fingerprint) instead and does not have Face ID hardware.

You can check which iPhone model you own by going to Settings, then General, then About. Look for the "Model Name" field. If you see "iPhone" followed by a number without a letter (like iPhone 14), or "iPhone" with Pro, Plus, or Pro Max, your phone supports Face ID.

Set up Face ID during initial iPhone setup

If you're setting up a new iPhone for the first time, Face ID setup appears automatically after you enter your passcode. When you see the "Face ID" screen, tap "Set Up Face ID Now" and follow the on-screen instructions. Hold your iPhone about 10 to 12 inches from your face and position it so your face fills the circle shown on the screen.

During the first scan, move your head slowly in a circle so the camera captures your face from different angles. The screen will show a blue circle that fills as the scan progresses. When the first scan completes, you'll see "Move Closer" or be asked to complete another scan from a different angle. Repeat the circular motion until the setup is complete. The entire process usually takes one to two minutes.

Add Face ID to an existing iPhone in Settings

If your iPhone is already set up and you want to add Face ID later, open Settings and tap "Face ID & Passcode." You'll be asked to enter your passcode first — this is a security step to prevent someone else from adding their face to your phone. After you enter your passcode, tap "Set Up Face ID" or "Add a Face."

Follow the same scanning process as during initial setup: hold your phone 10 to 12 inches from your face, position it so your face fills the circle, and move your head slowly in a circle. Complete the first scan, then perform a second scan from a slightly different angle when prompted. Once both scans finish, Face ID is active and ready to use.

Add a second face to your iPhone

If two people share an iPhone, you can add both faces so either person can unlock it. Open Settings, tap "Face ID & Passcode," enter your passcode, and scroll down to find "Add a Face." Tap it and have the second person hold the phone and complete the scanning process just as you did for the first face.

The second person's face is stored separately on the phone. When either face is recognized, the iPhone unlocks. Both faces have equal access to all features, including payments and App Store purchases, so only add a face you fully trust. If you want to remove a face later, go back to Settings, tap "Face ID & Passcode," enter your passcode, and tap "Delete Face" next to the face you want to remove.

Understand what Face ID can and cannot do

Face ID works in most everyday situations. You can unlock your phone while wearing glasses, sunglasses, a hat, or a scarf. It works in different lighting conditions, including outdoors in bright sunlight and indoors in dim rooms. Face ID also works if your appearance changes slightly — growing a beard, getting a haircut, or wearing makeup usually does not prevent recognition.

Face ID does not work if your face is completely covered, such as when wearing a ski mask or medical mask that covers your nose and mouth. If Face ID fails to recognize you, you can unlock your phone with your passcode instead. You can also require Face ID to work only when you're looking directly at the phone by enabling "Require Attention" in Face ID & Passcode settings — this prevents someone from unlocking your phone while you're sleeping or not paying attention.

Use Face ID to approve payments and App Store purchases

Once Face ID is set up, you can use it to approve purchases in the App Store, Apple Books, and other Apple services. When you try to buy something, you'll see a prompt to authenticate with Face ID. Look at your phone and it will recognize your face and complete the purchase. You can also use Face ID to authorize payments in third-party apps that support it, depending on which apps you have installed.

If you want to disable Face ID for specific functions, open Settings, tap "Face ID & Passcode," enter your passcode, and toggle off the features you don't want to use it for. For example, you can turn off "Apple Pay" to require your passcode for payments while still using Face ID to unlock your phone. Your passcode always remains available as a backup for any function.

Troubleshoot Face ID if it's not working

If Face ID stops working or fails to recognize you, first check that your iPhone's camera lens is clean. Wipe it gently with a soft, dry cloth. Make sure you're holding your phone at a normal angle — Face ID works best when the camera can see your full face clearly. If you're wearing a mask or your face is partially covered, Face ID will not work and you'll need to use your passcode instead.

If Face ID still does not work after cleaning the lens, try removing and re-adding your face. Open Settings, tap "Face ID & Passcode," enter your passcode, tap "Delete Face," and then set up Face ID again following the steps above. If the problem continues, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. If Face ID still fails after a restart, contact Apple Support for help with a potential hardware issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Face ID if I wear glasses or contacts?

Yes. Face ID works with glasses, sunglasses, and contacts. If you wear glasses during setup, wear them again when using Face ID for best results. If you wear different types of glasses at different times, Face ID learns to recognize you with and without them after you use it regularly.

What happens if someone who looks like me tries to unlock my phone?

Face ID is designed to work for you and reject others, even identical twins. However, it is less secure than a passcode. If security is your top concern, you can require Face ID to work only when you're looking at the phone by enabling "Require Attention" in Settings under Face ID & Passcode.

Is my face data stored on Apple's servers?

No. Your face data is stored only on your iPhone and encrypted. Apple does not see your face or have access to the data. The face scan never leaves your device.

Can I use Face ID if I have a beard or change my appearance?

Yes. Face ID adapts to gradual changes in your appearance, including growing a beard, getting a haircut, or gaining or losing weight. If your appearance changes dramatically overnight, Face ID may not recognize you immediately, but it will learn your new appearance after you unlock your phone a few times with your passcode.

What do I do if I forget my passcode and Face ID stops working?

You'll need to restore your iPhone using a computer with iTunes or Finder, or use iCloud's Find My iPhone feature to erase and set up your phone again. You cannot bypass both Face ID and your passcode. This is why Apple recommends writing down your passcode or storing it in a password manager.