Why Is Face ID Not Working?
You pick up your iPhone, look at the screen, and expect Face ID to unlock it instantly. Instead, nothing happens. No green checkmark. No swipe to the home screen. Face ID can stop working for several reasons. In many cases, the problem isn’t permanent.
Common causes include:
- A recent iOS update. Occasionally, Face ID may stop responding after installing a new version of iOS.
- A dirty or blocked TrueDepth camera. Dust, fingerprints, or a thick screen protector can interfere with facial recognition.
- Screen replacement or physical damage. If the TrueDepth camera system is damaged or replaced improperly, Face ID may become unavailable.
- Too many failed attempts. After several unsuccessful scans, your iPhone requires the passcode before Face ID can be used again.
- Hardware issues. If you see messages like “Face ID is not available” or “A problem was detected with the TrueDepth camera,” the device may require hardware repair.
If none of these situations apply or you no longer remember the screen passcode, you’ll need another way to access your device.
Your Options When Face ID Stops Working
When Face ID is unavailable, or your iPhone won’t recognize your face, Apple officially offers two recovery methods:
- Restore the device through Finder or iTunes.
- Erase the iPhone remotely through iCloud.
Both methods remove the lock screen, but they also erase everything stored on the device. If you don’t have a recent backup, recovering your data afterward may not be possible.
If you’re looking for another way to remove the screen lock and get your iPhone working again, FoneTool Unlocker, the professional iOS Unlocker, provides a guided desktop solution that’s easy to use.
Unlock Your iPhone with FoneTool Unlocker
FoneTool Unlocker helps remove different types of screen locks from iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. Whether you’re dealing with a forgotten 4-digit passcode, a 6-digit passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID not working, the software walks you through the unlocking process step by step.
Why Choose FoneTool Unlocker?
- Works with multiple lock types. Whether it’s Face ID, Touch ID, a 4-digit PIN, a 6-digit passcode, or a custom passcode, the unlocking process stays straightforward.
- Helpful for second-hand devices. If you’ve purchased a used iPhone and can’t access it due to an existing screen lock, FoneTool Unlocker can help you regain access in supported scenarios.
- Simple, beginner-friendly interface. Each step is explained on screen, so there’s no need to use complicated commands or technical tools.
- More than a screen unlocker. Besides removing screen locks, it can also remove a forgotten Screen Time passcode and delete encrypted iTunes backup passwords.
- Works with a variety of iPhone and iPad models. You don’t need the latest device to use the software.
Like Apple’s own recovery process, removing a screen passcode requires reinstalling the device firmware. The process restores your device to its original setup state and removes all existing data. If you’ve already created a backup, you can restore your photos, messages, and other data after the unlock is complete.
How to Unlock an iPhone When Face ID Is Not Working
Learning how to unlock an iPhone without a passcode or Face ID only takes a few steps:
Step 1. Download and install FoneTool Unlocker on your Windows PC. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a USB cable.
Step 2. Select the feature you need, such as Remove iOS Screen Passcode, Remove Screen Time Passcode, or Remove Apple ID.
Step 3. The program will guide you through the steps needed to place your device into Recovery Mode and automatically download the correct firmware package for your device.
Step 4. Click Remove Now to confirm the operation and start the unlocking process.
After the device restarts, you can set it up as a new iPhone or restore a previous backup. Once setup is complete, simply go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode to configure Face ID again.
Regain Access to Your iPhone
If Face ID has stopped working and you’ve forgotten your passcode, you don’t have many recovery options. FoneTool Unlocker makes the process much easier by guiding you through every step on your computer. Whether your iPhone won’t recognize your face after an update, Face ID is unavailable because of a hardware issue, or you simply can’t remember the screen passcode, the software provides a straightforward way to unlock your device and get back to using it as quickly as possible.