You can change your Face ID by deleting the old one and enrolling a new face in Settings

Face ID stores a mathematical map of your face on your device — not a photo. To change it, you go to Settings, find Face ID & Passcode, delete the existing enrollment, and scan your face again. The whole process takes about a minute. You'll need your passcode to make any changes.

This is different from changing your passcode or password. Face ID lives in a separate, encrypted part of your phone that even Apple cannot access. When you delete a Face ID enrollment, that data is gone permanently. A new enrollment starts completely fresh.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, then tap Delete Face ID to remove the old enrollment.
  • After deletion, tap Set Up Face ID and follow the on-screen prompts to scan your face from two angles.
  • You can set up two different Face IDs on the same device if you want a backup enrollment.
  • Face ID data never leaves your phone and cannot be accessed by Apple, your carrier, or app developers.

Step-by-step: removing your old Face ID

Start in the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode. You'll be asked to enter your passcode — this is a security check to make sure you own the device.

Once you're in, you'll see the option Delete Face ID near the bottom. Tap it. The system will ask you to confirm. After you confirm, your Face ID enrollment is deleted immediately. There's no waiting period or recovery option — it's gone.

At this point, your device will unlock only with your passcode until you set up a new Face ID. Apps that use Face ID for login will fall back to asking for your password instead.

Step-by-step: enrolling a new Face ID

While you're still in Face ID & Passcode settings, tap Set Up Face ID. The camera will open and guide you through the enrollment process. You'll be asked to position your face in a circle on the screen and move your head slowly in a circle — this captures your face from multiple angles.

The system will ask you to do this twice. The second scan adds more data points so Face ID works even if your appearance changes slightly (glasses, facial hair, different lighting). When both scans are complete, you'll see a confirmation screen.

Test it immediately by locking your phone and trying to unlock it with your face. If it doesn't work the first time, try again — sometimes the angle or lighting needs adjustment. You can always delete and re-enroll if something feels off.

When to change your Face ID

Change your Face ID if you've had significant facial surgery, major weight loss or gain, or a serious injury that altered your face. You might also change it if you grew or shaved off a beard, though Face ID usually adapts to gradual changes on its own.

If Face ID stops recognizing you after a few failed attempts, your device will ask for your passcode instead. This is a security feature. If this keeps happening, deleting and re-enrolling often fixes the problem.

You don't need to change Face ID just because someone else in your household looks similar to you. Face ID is designed to reject lookalikes. If you're concerned about a specific person, test it yourself — have them try to unlock your phone and see if it works. If it does, you can delete that enrollment and set up a new one.

Setting up two Face IDs on one device

Your iPhone or iPad can store two Face ID enrollments at the same time. This is useful if you want a backup, or if you're sharing a device with someone else and want to set up separate unlocks.

After you've set up your first Face ID, go back to Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and look for the option to set up an additional Face ID. Follow the same enrollment steps. Both faces will unlock the device equally — there's no priority or order.

If you delete one enrollment, the other stays active. You can delete both and start over at any time.

What happens to apps that use Face ID

Many apps use Face ID to unlock themselves — banking apps, password managers, and messaging apps often have this feature. When you delete your Face ID enrollment, these apps will stop using facial recognition and fall back to asking for your password or passcode instead.

When you set up a new Face ID, these apps will automatically recognize it. You don't need to go into each app and re-enable Face ID — it works across all of them once your device Face ID is active.

Some apps let you turn off Face ID in their own settings if you want to use only a password. Check the app's security or privacy settings if you want that level of control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else unlock my phone if they look like me?

Face ID is designed to reject people who look similar to you, even identical twins in some cases. However, very young children (under about 5) have been shown to unlock phones belonging to older family members more often than adults do. If you're concerned, test it yourself or use a passcode-only lock.

What if I forget my passcode and can't access Face ID settings?

You'll need to use your Apple ID and a recovery method (another trusted device, a recovery key, or your phone number) to regain access to your device. You cannot change Face ID without first entering your passcode. If you've forgotten it, you may need to erase and set up your device again.

Does Face ID work if I'm wearing a mask or sunglasses?

Face ID works with sunglasses and most masks, though it may take slightly longer. If you wear a mask regularly, you can enroll a second Face ID while wearing one. On newer iPhones, Face ID has been improved to work better with masks and glasses.

Is my Face ID data backed up to iCloud?

No. Face ID data never leaves your device and is not backed up to iCloud or any cloud service. It's stored in an encrypted chip on your phone that even Apple cannot access. If you get a new phone, you'll need to set up Face ID again from scratch.

Can I use Face ID if I've had cosmetic surgery?

Face ID usually adapts to gradual changes in your appearance. If you've had significant surgery, you may need to delete and re-enroll. Set up the new Face ID after you've fully healed and your face has settled into its final appearance — usually a few weeks after surgery.