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iPhone and iPadSolved: Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID

Solved: Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID

By Michael | Last Updated

"Anyone know why Face ID keeps requiring the passcode in order to enable Face ID? If I leave my phone untouched for an hour or 2, it asks me to type in my password to enable Face ID. All setting were checked and spoke to apple support, they run system check and found no problem. What can I do to solve this issue?"

Many iPhone users complain that they often encounter the issue that Face ID keeps requiring the digital passcode in order to enable it. In fact, "Your passcode is required to enable Face ID" is known as a security feature if you don't use the device for quite a few hours. But you may find it really annoying when you have to put in your passcode to unlock the iPhone even after the device being locked for 30 minutes or even less time. What to do if you are told your passcode is required to enable Face ID? Learn what helps here.

your passcode is required to enable face id

Part 1: When Do You Need to Enter Your Passcode to Enable Face ID

Compared with entering passcode manually, Face ID is more convenient and popular by iPhone users to unlock their devices. As you only need to take a simple glimpse of your device, the iPhone will be unlocked. However, under some circumstances, you may be required to type your passcode to enable Face ID but you don't know how to deal with this situation. The issue that your password is required to enable Face ID usually occurs when:

1. You have just turned on or restarted your device by force restart or automatically after an OTA software update.

2. Your device has not been unlocked over 48 hours.

3. Your device has accepted a remote lock command.

4. Your device has failed to match a face for 5 times.

5. You power off your device or enter it into Emergency SOS mode.

6. The passcode hasn't been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn't unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.

Part 2: What to Do If Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID

Are you tired of entering passcode to enable Face ID? What to do if you are noticed that your passcode is required to enable Face ID? Below are some tips targeting on this question. Now you can attempt the following tips to try to fix this problem.

Tip 1: Check Your Device for Updates

When a device's operating system is outdated, some unexpected errors may occur. Usually, upgrading your iPhone to the latest version fixes some known bugs. Before proceeding with the iOS upgrade, we recommend that you back up your device data to avoid the risk of experiencing data loss.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a power source so as to prevent your device from powering down unexpectedly during the process of update and make sure that your device is connected to the Internet with Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Go to Settings > General, and then select Software Update. Now you can check whether there is an update is available. If there is, tap Download and Install to go on. Then tap Install to update now and enter your passcode to confirm if it is needed.

update iphone to the latest version

Step 3: As the process will take a few minutes to finish, please wait patiently.

Notice: With iOS 12 or later, you can have your iPhone update automatically. To do this, go to Settings > General > Software Update, then turn on Automatic Updates. Next time your device will automatically install updates.

enable automatic updates

Tip 2: Check Your Face ID Settings

If you have some troubles with your Face ID, you'd better check your Face ID configuration and settings. Checking the Face ID settings on your device can help you determine whether the phone is configured so that you can use this feature. To do this, go to Setting > Face ID & Passcode, and then make sure that Face ID is set up and the features you're trying to use Face ID with are turned on.

Additionally, resetting Face ID can sometimes resolve issues related to recognition or verification. If you've configured Face ID and realize that it's not working as expected, you may want to consider resetting it to troubleshoot possible problems. To reset Face ID, open Settings App > Face ID & Passcode and tap Reset Face ID.

reset face id and set up again

Tip 3: Add an Alternate Appearance

Face ID will try to recognize you even if you have a certain change in appearance. However, if you have an appearance that looks very different as usual, you'd better add an alternate appearance on your device so that the Face ID on your iPhone can better recognize you.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode on your device, enter your passcode to proceed if required and then tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance. Then you can get started to do the alternate appearance facial recognition as required.

go to set up an alternate appearance

You need look straight into your iPhone and place your face inside the frame properly and correctly. Then move your head slowly in the circle to show all angles of your face.

Step 2: When the first Face ID scan is completed, tap Continue to go on. Then move your head gently again to complete the circle for the second time to make sure all angles of your face are scanned.

Step 3: When Face ID setup is finished, tap Done to confirm.

set up an alternate appearance successfully

Tip 4: Keep the TrueDepth Camera Clean

You should develop a good habit to clean your TrueDepth camera regularly and confirm that there is no obstruction, residue or dirt on it. And, if you have a case or a screen protector on your device, you must make sure the TrueDepth camera is not covered by it. When you are going to use the feature of Face ID, try to guarantee that your eye, nose, and mouth are fully visible to the TrueDepth camera so that it can easily recognize your face.

Tip 5: Disable Raise to Wake

When you enable the "Raise to Wake" feature, your Apple device will automatically wake up and lock the screen when it detects you lifting or touching it. However, this frequent waking may cause your iPhone to make multiple attempts to read facial recognition information without you realizing it. After five failed attempts at facial matching, your device will display the message "Your passcode is required to enable Face ID".

Here are the detailed steps to disable "Raise to Wake".

Step 1: Open your device's "Settings" app.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on the "Display & Brightness" option.

Step 3: Locate the "Raise to Wake" option, check and make sure that it is turned off (gray button).

Disable Raise to Wake

If you find that none of the tips work for you, then the iPhone may has some unknown error occurred. You'd better take your device to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider or contact Apple Support for help.

Part 3: How to Fix If You Forgot Your Passcode to Enable Face ID

Although Face ID is more convenient compared with passcode, it can't deny that passcode is more secure than Face ID. If you are asked to enter the passcode to enable Face ID but you forget the passcode, you will get locked out of your device. In this situation, I recommend iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius to help you. It can be used to unlock a locked iPhone safely and quickly. Before you use the software, make sure you have iTunes installed in your PC first of all.

Step 1: Download and install iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius on your computer from the official website, launch the software and then select the function of Unlock Lock Screen.

select the function of unlock lock screen

Step 2: Click the button of Start to proceed. If you haven't connected your device to your PC, do it right now as instructed and then click Next to go on.

click the start button to proceed

Step 3: Tap the Download button to download the firmware package online. Then wait for the process to complete.

download the firmware package online

Step 4: Then it will come to the most crucial step. Click the Unlock button to start unlocking your locked device. After the process is finished, your iPhone will be unlocked.

unlock the locked iphone

Step 5: Click the Done button to exit and close the software after unlocking successfully.

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