Isn't it a bit ironic? I used my iPhone 15 Pro Max from June through September while running the iOS 26 beta, and encountered just one minor issue. Well, it might not have been so minor after all. For about three days during the summer, my iPhone stopped ringing for incoming calls. Fortunately, a beta update was released quickly, resolving the issue. However, when the so-called stable version of iOS 26 rolled out, my Face ID unexpectedly ceased to function.
Losing access to Face ID is more than just a minor inconvenience; it's a significant pain in the ass. Adding another layer of irony to this situation, my wife, who has an iPhone 16 Pro Max, opts not to use Face ID. Instead, she prefers entering her passcode every time she needs to verify her identity. The other day, while using her phone, I reflected on how useful Face ID is for iPhone users. I couldn't help but think how frustrating it would be to rely solely on a passcode—then, just like that, my Face ID broke.
I attempted several troubleshooting steps, beginning with restarting my iPhone. However, the Face ID issue persisted. Next, I tried to reset Face ID, but first, I had to disable the Stolen Device Protection feature. This can be done by navigating to Privacy & Security > Stolen Device Protection and toggling it off. With this feature enabled, sensitive actions require biometric verification, which complicates resetting Face ID further. Unfortunately, I was unable to reset Face ID since the feature wasn't operational, and I received a notification instructing me to try again later.
Initially, I responded politely to the notification, but frustration quickly set in, leading to some less-than-gentle gestures. Thankfully, Siri remained oblivious to my outburst. Interestingly, improvements are on the horizon; by this spring, when iOS 26.4 is expected to launch, Siri will gain the ability to understand context by analyzing the display. But for now, my digital assistant continues to think I'm a perfect gentleman.
If you found yourself in a similar situation, would you be anxious if your Face ID stopped working? A recent poll revealed that 73.81% of respondents rely on Face ID for seamless app usage, while 26.19% are content typing in their passcodes. I am not alone in my frustration, as many iPhone users have reported similar Face ID issues after updating to iOS 26 on the Apple Community Discussions site. Speculation suggests that these problems may be linked to a rumored iOS 26.0.1 update, with a build number of 23A35_ circulating online.
Earlier, I mentioned that a simple restart didn't resolve my Face ID issue. Consequently, I opted for a forced restart of my iPhone, which involves the following steps:
Press the up volume button. Quickly press the down volume button. Press and hold the side button until the slider appears on the screen. Swipe the slider to turn off the device.Once I powered my iPhone back on, I attempted to reset Face ID again, this time successfully. It's crucial to remember that after resetting and successfully testing Face ID, you should re-enable the Stolen Device Protection feature by going to Privacy & Security > Stolen Device Protection and toggling it back on.
While having Face ID malfunction may not be a significant concern for everyone, it certainly troubles me. Given the sensitive nature of the personal data stored on our smartphones, identity verification through biometrics—such as facial recognition or fingerprints—is essential. This technology serves as a crucial line of defense against unauthorized access to apps and financial accounts. Biometric recognition can include various characteristics, from fingerprints to facial features and even iris patterns, making it a sophisticated security measure for smartphone users.
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