You can store up to two Face ID profiles on one iPhone, and adding a second one takes about two minutes

Your iPhone lets you register two different faces in Face ID — yours and someone else's, or two angles of your own face. Once both are set up, either face unlocks the phone, approves purchases, and accesses password-protected apps. The second face doesn't need its own Apple ID or iCloud account; it just needs to be physically present when you set it up.

Adding a second Face ID is straightforward: you go to Settings, find Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap "Set Up an Alternate Appearance." The iPhone then scans the second face the same way it scanned your first one — by having you move your head in a circle while looking at the screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Two Face ID profiles can be stored on a single iPhone, and both work equally for unlocking and authentication.
  • The second face must be physically present during setup; you cannot add a photo or set it up remotely.
  • Both faces have the same access level — neither one is restricted or limited compared to the other.
  • If you want more than two faces or to remove one, you must delete the entire Face ID setup and start over.

Where to find the Face ID settings on your iPhone

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find "Face ID & Passcode." Tap it, then enter your passcode when prompted. This is the only place where you can add, remove, or manage Face ID profiles on your iPhone.

If you don't see "Face ID & Passcode" in Settings, your iPhone model doesn't have Face ID — only iPhones with a notch or Dynamic Island support it. iPhone 12 and newer, iPhone 11, iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have Face ID. iPhone 8 and earlier use Touch ID instead.

How to add the second face step by step

Once you're in Face ID & Passcode, look for the option that says "Set Up an Alternate Appearance" or "Add Alternate Appearance," depending on your iOS version. Tap it. The iPhone will ask you to position your face in the frame on the screen, just as it did when you first set up Face ID.

Move your head slowly in a circle while keeping your face centered in the frame. The iPhone scans your face from different angles. When the scan is complete, you'll see a message saying the alternate appearance has been added. That's it — both faces now unlock your phone.

The whole process usually takes one to two minutes. Make sure you're in good lighting and that the person whose face you're adding is looking directly at the screen. Sunglasses, hats, and masks can interfere with the scan, so remove them during setup.

What happens when two faces are registered

Once both faces are set up, your iPhone treats them identically. Either face can unlock your phone, approve App Store purchases, authorize payments in Apple Pay, and access apps that use Face ID for authentication. There's no way to set one face as "primary" or restrict one face to certain functions.

If you're setting up a second face for someone else — a family member or roommate — they'll have the same level of access to your phone as you do. They can unlock it, make purchases, and access your apps. If you want to limit what they can do, you'll need to use Screen Time or parental controls instead, which are separate from Face ID.

Removing or replacing a face

If you want to remove one of the two faces, you have to delete both and start over. There's no option to remove just one face while keeping the other. Go to Face ID & Passcode, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Reset Face ID." This erases both profiles. Then set up Face ID again with just the face you want to keep, or add both faces again if you've changed your mind.

If you want to replace one face with a different one — for example, if someone no longer needs access — reset Face ID and set it up with the faces you want going forward.

Troubleshooting if the second face won't scan

If the iPhone keeps saying the scan failed or is incomplete, try these steps: make sure you're in a well-lit area, remove glasses or sunglasses, and hold the phone at a natural distance from your face (about 12 inches away). If the person whose face you're adding has very fine facial hair, scars, or significant changes in appearance since the first face was registered, the scan might take longer or fail.

If the scan still doesn't work after several tries, restart your iPhone and try again. If it continues to fail, there may be a hardware issue with the Face ID camera, and you should contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Why you might want a second Face ID

The most common reason to add a second face is to let a family member or partner unlock your phone without needing your passcode. This is useful if you share a device or want someone to be able to access it in an emergency.

Some people also add a second Face ID profile to account for major changes in their appearance — for example, if they've grown a beard, had surgery, or changed their hairstyle significantly. The second profile can help the phone recognize you when your appearance is different from the original scan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more than two faces to one iPhone?

No. iPhones support only two Face ID profiles total. If you need more than two people to be able to unlock the phone, you'll need to use a passcode instead of Face ID, or use Screen Time to manage access for multiple family members.

Does the second face need an Apple ID?

No. The second face doesn't need its own Apple ID, iCloud account, or any setup beyond the Face ID scan itself. It works with your existing Apple ID and phone settings.

Can I set different permissions for each face?

No. Both faces have identical access to your phone. If you want to restrict what one person can do, use Screen Time or parental controls, which work independently of Face ID.

What if I want to remove the second face but keep Face ID?

You'll have to reset Face ID entirely and set it up again with only your face. There's no way to keep one face and remove the other without erasing both.

Will adding a second face slow down Face ID?

No. Having two faces registered doesn't noticeably affect how fast Face ID works or how often it fails to recognize you.