Clean the sensor area at the top of the screen, remove anything covering it, check that Face ID is turned on for unlocking, update iOS, restart, and try resetting Face ID. If you see "Face ID is not available" or a message about a problem with the TrueDepth camera, it's usually hardware. Face ID parts are paired to your iPhone's logic board, so some faults can be repaired and some can't. An honest diagnosis matters.
Rule out the simple causes
- Dirty or covered sensors: wipe the notch or Dynamic Island area. Check that a screen protector or case lip isn't covering it.
- Something blocking your face: some sunglasses block the infrared light Face ID uses. Face ID with a mask is available on iPhone 12 and later, but you have to set it up.
- Distance and angle: hold the phone at arm's length or closer, facing you.
- Asking for your passcode: that's normal after a restart, after several failed attempts, or if the phone hasn't been unlocked for a while.
- Your appearance has changed: Face ID adapts over time, but a big change like a new beard or glasses can trip it up. Set up an Alternate Appearance in Settings → Face ID & Passcode.
Check your settings
- Open Settings → Face ID & Passcode and make sure iPhone Unlock is turned on.
- Update iOS in Settings → General → Software Update.
- Restart the iPhone.
- Tap Reset Face ID, then set it up again in good light.
Messages that point to hardware
If you see one of these, software fixes usually won't help:
- "Face ID is not available. Try setting up Face ID later."
- "Unable to activate Face ID on this iPhone."
- A message saying a problem was detected with the TrueDepth camera and Face ID has been disabled.
Why Face ID fails after drops, liquid or a screen repair
Face ID uses a set of tiny components at the top of the iPhone: a dot projector, a flood illuminator and an infrared camera, together called the TrueDepth system. They're precise and sensitive. A hard drop can knock them out of alignment, liquid can corrode their connections, and a careless screen repair can damage the cable that carries the nearby sensors.
A tell-tale sign is the front camera behaving oddly at the same time, like a black screen in selfie mode or blurry portraits. The front camera sits right next to the TrueDepth parts, so damage to that area often affects both.
What can and can't be repaired
Here's the honest answer. Face ID's core components are paired to your iPhone's logic board, so they can't simply be swapped for parts from another phone. Some faults are repairable, like a damaged flex cable, a broken connection or corrosion from liquid, which board-level specialists can sometimes fix under the microscope. Others can only be restored by Apple.
We'll diagnose it for free and tell you which situation you're in before you pay anything. If we can't restore Face ID, we'll say so, and your iPhone will still work with your passcode.
Protecting Face ID during a screen repair
A screen replacement shouldn't affect Face ID, as long as the earpiece and sensor assembly is moved over carefully from your original screen. Ask your repair shop how they handle it. See iPhone screen repair and how to prepare your iPhone for a repair.
Frequently asked questions
Can a broken screen stop Face ID from working?
It can if the damage reached the sensors at the top of the phone. The screen itself doesn't contain Face ID, but the components sit right behind it.
Can Face ID be fixed by an independent repair shop?
Sometimes. Faults in cables, connections or corrosion can often be repaired, but Face ID's core parts are paired to the phone. A free diagnosis tells you which applies.
Will Face ID work after a screen replacement?
It should, if the earpiece and sensor assembly is transferred carefully. That's part of every screen repair we do.
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