10 Fixes! Your Passcode is Required to Enable Face ID

You pick up your iPhone to unlock it. The screen is off. You glance at it. Nothing. Then a message pops up: “Your passcode is required to enable Face ID”. This is not a bug. It's security by design. Apple forces a passcode in specific situations to protect your data. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with it happening too often.

This guide explains exactly why Face ID asks for your passcode, what triggers it, and how to fix or reduce it. Some fixes take ten seconds. Others help you avoid the prompt in the first place. And if you forgot your passcode entirely, there‘s a solution for that too.

Why does my Face ID keep asking for password?

Why does it say your passcode is required to enable Face ID? Because your devices may fail to recognize your face, then you need to enter your password again. But there are also some other reasons for this issue:

• Wearing a mask but you don’t set up Face ID with a mask.
• Mechanical damage or dirt on the device or camera.
• Malicious code on the device.
• The device is been powered off and entered into Emergency SOS mode.
• The device has received a remote lock command.
• The device has just been turned on or restarted.
• The device hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
• The device hasn’t been unlocked with passcode in the last 6.5 days and with Face ID in the last 4 hours.

10 fixes iPhone keeps asking for passcode to enable Face ID

Tired of entering password to enable Face ID? After knowing the reasons why passcode is required to enable Face ID, you can check the 10 ways below to fix your Face ID and passcode. If you forget your password and want to enable your Face ID, you can directly check “What to do if you forget the password required to enable Face ID?”

Fix 1. Restart iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can sometimes fix iPhone keep asking for passcode to enable Face ID, so you can restart your iPhone first. If you want to Force Restart your iPhone but Force Restart not working, you can check this guide.

Fix 2. Reset Face ID

It is possible that your iPhone Face ID can’t match your face because your appearance has changed. So, resetting Face ID can be a useful and easy step to fix this issue. Here’s detailed guidance for resetting Face ID:

Step 1. Go to Settings > Click Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2. Enter your passcode to proceed.  

Step 3. Scroll down and tap on Reset Face ID.

Fix 3. Set up Face ID with a Mask

If you are wearing a mask and want to unlock your Face ID, you must enable Face ID with a Mask. The issue of Face ID not working with a mask sometimes happens.

Here are the steps for setting up Face ID with a Mask:

Step 1. Go to Settings app on your iPhone > Click Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2. Locate and turn on Face ID with a Mask.

Step 3. Choose Use Face ID & with a Mask > Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Fix 4. Set up an Alternate Appearance

By adding an alternative appearance to Face ID, you can enhance the system’s ability to recognize you under various conditions, thereby fixing your password is required to enable Face ID.

Step 1. Go to Settings on your iPhone > Face ID & Passcode and enter your password to confirm.

Step 2. Tap on Set Up an Alternate Appearance and follow the instructions.

Fix 5. Check your Face ID settings

It might be due to certain issues or settings with the Face ID settings that need to be solved. You can go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode to make sure that your iPhone Unlock is on and the features you need are turned on.

Fix 6. Keep the TrueDepth Camera clean

As we mentioned in the reasons, you need to keep the TrueDepth camera clean. When you are going to use the feature of Face ID, you must make sure that your TrueDepth is not covered by anything.

You can softly clear the camera lens to clean the dirt on your camera.

Fix 7. Disable Require Attention for Face ID

When you disable the Require Attention for Face ID setting, it allows Face ID to unlock your device without needing you to look directly at the camera. This can be useful in situations where you might be wearing a hat or a mask.

Step 1. Navigate to Settings > Face ID & Passwords.

Step 2. Tap on Require Attention for Face ID and close the feature.

Fix 8. Disable Raise to Wake

When you disable the Raise to Wake, your iPhone will not automatically wake up and attempt to use Face ID w unlock it whenever you lift it. Disabling Raise to Wake can prevent these unnecessary password attempts.

Step1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down and select Raise to Wake to turn it off.

Fix 9. iOS system update

iOS system updates often include improvements and bug fixes that can solve various issues, including those related to Face ID. So you can update your system on your devices to fix this issue.

Step 1. Tap on Settings > General.

Step 2. Choose Software Update.

Step 3. Tap Download and Install to update your iOS version.

Fix 10. Adjust require password

By setting a longer interval for requiring the passcode, you can reduce the number of times you need to enter it, making the use of Face ID more seamless.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Face ID &Passcode.

Step 2. Click Require Passcode and choose After 4 hours.

What if you forget the password required to enable Face ID?

If you forget your password and can’t enable your Face ID or can’t unlock your iPhone, you can try this powerful third-party tool, FoneTool Unlocker, to safely remove your Face ID and passcode with ease. Then you can reset your password and Face ID, then fix the issue.

   

★Highlights of FoneTool Unlocker:

• Easily remove all passwords without technical skills.
• Safe and stable process protects your data from leakage.
• Powerful features offer you a high success rate.
• Bypass Activation Lock without Apple ID.
• Compatible with the latest iOS devices and versions.

Now free download it and follow the steps below to complete the process easily:

Step 1. Launch FoneTool Unlocker and connect your device to PC via a USB cable.

Step 2. Go to Remove iOS Screen Passcode > Remove Now.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions > Click Next.

Step 4. Select the correct Firmware File > Download.

Step 5. Once Firmware Files are downloaded > Tap Remove Now.

Once the process is finished, you can reset your password and Face ID.

Can a Photo Unlock Face ID? (Spoiler: No)

A lot of people worry about this. “Can someone take a picture of me and unlock my phone?”

The answer is no. Face ID uses 3D depth‑mapping technology with over 30,000 invisible dots projected onto your face. A flat photo, video, or even a high‑quality printed picture won't work. The TrueDepth camera instantly detects the difference between a 3D face and a 2D image. If you want the technical breakdown of how Apple prevents photo‑based spoofing and how to harden Face ID further (Enable Attention, strong passcode, iOS updates), the full guide is here: Can You Unlock an iPhone With a Picture?.

What About Unlocking While Sleeping?

Default setting: No, someone can‘t unlock your phone while you’re asleep. The “Require Attention for Face ID” feature forces your eyes to be open and looking at the screen. If you have this turned on (it‘s ON by default), sleeping won’t work.

If you turned “Require Attention” off, then yes, Face ID could potentially unlock while your eyes are closed. Apple does not recommend this for security reasons. The full discussion, including how Face ID‘s attention detection works and what to do if Face ID isn’t working at all, is covered here: Can I Unlock iPhone Face ID While Sleeping?.

FAQs about Face ID on iPhone

Conclusion

This guide explains why your passcode is required to enable Face ID and how to fix it with 10 easy methods. You are suggested to use FoneTool Unlocker to bypass the passcode if you forget it. If you have other related questions, welcome to leave a comment.