Disable Face ID in Settings

The fastest way to turn off Face ID is through your device's Settings app. Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode. Scroll down and toggle off every option: iPhone Unlock, Apple Pay, and iTunes & App Store. This leaves Face ID hardware in place but stops it from working for any function.

If you want Face ID completely gone rather than just disabled, you can erase your face data instead. In that same Face ID & Passcode menu, tap Delete Face ID. Your device will ask you to confirm. Once deleted, Face ID cannot work until you set it up again from scratch — it will not automatically re-enable.

The difference matters: disabling keeps your setup intact so you can turn it back on later without re-scanning your face. Deleting removes the biometric data entirely and forces a full setup if you change your mind. Most people who want Face ID off choose to delete it rather than leave it sitting disabled.

Key Takeaways

  • Disabling Face ID in Settings turns it off for unlocking, payments, and apps, but keeps your face data stored on the device.
  • Deleting Face ID removes your biometric data completely and requires a full setup if you want to use it again later.
  • You must enter your passcode to access Face ID settings, so a forgotten passcode will block you from making these changes.
  • Turning off Face ID does not affect other security features like your passcode or two-factor authentication.
  • If you disable Face ID but later want it back, you can re-enable it from the same Settings menu without setting up your face again.

Why You Might Want Face ID Off

Some people disable Face ID because they do not trust biometric data on their device, even though Apple stores it only locally and encrypted. Others find it unreliable in their situation — if you wear glasses that change how your face looks, or if you have a medical condition that affects facial recognition, Face ID may unlock inconsistently or not at all.

You might also disable it if you share your device with family members and want to prevent them from unlocking it with their face. Face ID is tied to one person per device, so a shared iPad may work better with passcode-only security. Similarly, if you are in a situation where someone might force you to unlock your device using your face, passcode-only security gives you more control — a passcode is something you know, not something someone can compel you to use.

What Happens When Face ID Is Off

With Face ID disabled or deleted, your device falls back to passcode authentication for everything. Unlocking your phone, approving App Store purchases, and authorizing Apple Pay all require you to type your passcode instead. This is slower than Face ID but often more reliable, especially if you wear masks, sunglasses, or have a changing appearance.

Your other security features stay in place. Two-factor authentication still protects your Apple ID, and any apps that use biometric login will fall back to their own password or passcode systems. Disabling Face ID does not weaken your overall security — it just changes which method you use to prove who you are.

Re-enabling Face ID Later

If you disabled Face ID but kept the data, you can turn it back on by opening Settings, tapping Face ID & Passcode, entering your passcode, and toggling the functions back on. Your stored face data is still there, so it works when ready without a new scan.

If you deleted your face data, you will need to set up Face ID from the beginning. Go to Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, then tap Set Up Face ID. Position your face in the circle on screen and follow the prompts to scan your face twice. The whole process takes about a minute. After setup completes, toggle on the functions you want to use.

Face ID on Shared Devices

iPad is the device most often shared between family members, and Face ID on a shared iPad creates a security problem: anyone whose face matches the stored data can unlock it. If you share an iPad, you have three options. First, you can disable Face ID entirely and use a strong passcode that only you know. Second, you can keep Face ID on but set up a separate user account for each person — each account has its own Face ID data and passcode. Third, you can use Screen Time to restrict what each person can access even if they unlock the device.

The simplest approach for most families is to turn off Face ID and use a passcode only. This prevents anyone from unlocking the device without knowing the code, and it avoids the complexity of managing multiple accounts.

Passcode Security When Face ID Is Off

Once Face ID is off, your passcode becomes your only unlock method, so make it strong. Use at least six characters — longer is better. Avoid birthdays, sequential numbers, or anything someone could guess from your social media. A mix of numbers and letters is stronger than numbers alone, though iOS will accept either.

If you forget your passcode after disabling Face ID, you will need to erase your device and set it up again from a backup or as new. There is no way to recover a forgotten passcode, so write it down somewhere safe or use a password manager to store it. This is one reason some people keep Face ID enabled as a backup unlock method — if you forget your passcode, Face ID still works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off Face ID make my device more find?

Not necessarily. Face ID and a strong passcode are roughly equal in security. Face ID is harder to force someone to use without their cooperation, while a passcode is harder to guess if it is random. The real security gain comes from using whichever method you will actually use consistently.

Can I disable Face ID for some functions but keep it for others?

Yes. In Face ID & Passcode settings, you can toggle each function on or off separately. You might keep Face ID on for unlocking your phone but turn it off for Apple Pay if you are concerned about payments. Each toggle works independently.

What if Face ID is not working and I want to turn it off temporarily?

If Face ID is malfunctioning, you can disable it in Settings without erasing the data. Once you disable it, your passcode becomes your unlock method. If you later want to try Face ID again, you can re-enable it from the same menu — your face data is still stored.

Will deleting Face ID free up storage space on my device?

Face ID data takes up very little space — less than a megabyte. Deleting it will not noticeably change your available storage. If you need storage space, deleting photos, videos, or old backups will have a much larger effect.

Can I disable Face ID without knowing my passcode?

No. You must enter your passcode to access Face ID settings. If you have forgotten your passcode, you will need to erase your device and set it up again. There is no way around this security requirement.