Face ID Suddenly not working after IOS 16.1.1 update

[cptcaveman]

Following the update of my son's iPhone 11 to IOS 16.1.1 he is getting:

A problem has been detected with the TrueDepth camera. Face ID has been disabled.

The phone had been working absolutely fine until the update was applied.

I repeat, his phone, including his front camera and Face ID were working perfectly on iOS 15 before this update. In fact, I had him use Face ID to unlock the phone before the update.

Resetting doesn't help: Face ID is not available during setup.

What on earth is going on here? Are Apple up to their old tricks again crippling older phones?

 

[Paddle1]

What version was installed previously? Also, did the phone get wet at any point? I've heard that sometimes leads to Face ID getting disabled.

 

[cptcaveman]

Thanks for the reply. I think it was iOS 15.6.1. Face ID was working literally moments before the update. Honestly, it feels like Apple bricked it. I have now moved my kid to a spare phone and can only hope that a future update fixes it.

Very frustrating when you know that there were software "improvements" in that area in iOS 16 like Face ID in landscape mode, etc. and they also broke Face ID for some phones in recent betas.

If I didn't know better it feels like an unsubtle prompt from Apple to go out and buy an iPhone 14.

 

[NichoMarpaunk]

Maybe The phone have replaced parts? I saw a video where it shows that 3rd party parts no longer work on ios 16

 

[Paddle1]

Thanks for the reply. I think it was iOS 15.6.1. Face ID was working literally moments before the update. Honestly, it feels like Apple bricked it. I have now moved my kid to a spare phone and can only hope that a future update fixes it.

Very frustrating when you know that there were software "improvements" in that area in iOS 16 like Face ID in landscape mode, etc. and they also broke Face ID for some phones in recent betas.

If I didn't know better it feels like an unsubtle prompt from Apple to go out and buy an iPhone 14.

Major software updates can be hard on hardware which can cause issues as well. There were some users whose phones got really hot updating to iOS 16 which lead to the flashlight getting temporarily disabled. It's possible something similar (and possibly more permanent) could've happened here.

 

[jfried8]

Since iOS 16 my Face ID on my 13 Pro Max hasn’t worked…ugh!

 

[cptcaveman]

Maybe The phone have replaced parts? I saw a video where it shows that 3rd party parts no longer work on ios 16

No third-party parts. Phone was never repaired.

 

[datboi]

This is a bigger problem with iPhone 13 Pro Maxes.
There is big discussion on official Apple Forums about that https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254323010

It seems that iOS 16 update broke Face ID hardware, only solution so far is to fully replace the device.

 

[papbot]

I had 16.1 on my 13 Pro Max prior to getting my new 14 and had no Face ID issues. That thread link above only has 2 replies, I’m not sure that’s indicative of anything. However 16.1 did introduce odd bugs on various devices, there is a huge thread about a display issue when scrolling on the M1 and M2 ipad pros. Fortunately the current 16.2 beta fixes a lot of those.

 

[datboi]

Sorry, previous link is not working properly.
Here is the thread with about 50 replies, and almost 400 "me too" clicks.

iOS 16.1 Face ID not working - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

 

[exymore]

Same here on 13 pro after 16.1. Most of the time of the day face id is not working and asking for a passcode immediately before even trying to recognize my face, like it's completely off.

Sometimes it starting to work, but for a short period of time. Tried almost everything: alternative appearance, dfu, reset face id, vpn profiles deletion – nothing.

It's good to have an article on macrumors and other resources to draw attention to this problem.

 

[I7guy]

Maybe there is a specific issue to the iphone 13, however on my xs max and pro max and ipad m1 pro no issues whatsoever with any upgrade. Ever.

 

[datboi]

Yeah this is specific to 13 Pro Max. It started to occur in iOS 16.0. It's 16.1.1 now - some people are after warranty period and have broken Face ID for about 2 months. Wonder if 16.2 will fix that, if not this should be taken to investigation by media outlets.

 

[papbot]

Yeah this is specific to 13 Pro Max. It started to occur in iOS 16.0. It's 16.1.1 now - some people are after warranty period and have broken Face ID for about 2 months. Wonder if 16.2 will fix that, if not this should be taken to investigation by media outlets.

I have seen various issues, such as the yellowing/smearing while scrolling that seems to affect only the M1 and M2 iPads, be device specific. This seems to be one of those. I didn’t have it on my 13PM nor on my 14PM now, but that doesn’t prove anything. The only reference to this I’ve seen elsewhere involves a 3rd party app - 1Password - that fails Face ID each time requiring a password to be entered. That may also be related to ios rather than the app.

 

[exymore]

I have seen various issues, such as the yellowing/smearing while scrolling that seems to affect only the M1 and M2 iPads, be device specific. This seems to be one of those. I didn’t have it on my 13PM nor on my 14PM now, but that doesn’t prove anything. The only reference to this I’ve seen elsewhere involves a 3rd party app - 1Password - that fails Face ID each time requiring a password to be entered. That may also be related to ios rather than the app.

It affects 13 pro as well as pro max.

 

[lindros2]

To recap above, if the parts were previously replaced - and I've now seen this on iOS 15 as well as 16 - it will say whether the battery or other parts are genuine (in settings).
In iOS 16, almost heeding the warning of iOS 15 - things will be disabled (like the camera). Especially if a simple battery replacement also impacted the camera.

 

[BigJeff100]

This is a bigger problem with iPhone 13 Pro Maxes.
There is big discussion on official Apple Forums about that https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254323010

It seems that iOS 16 update broke Face ID hardware, only solution so far is to fully replace the device.

This is dubious. My Face ID with mask stopped for login. BUT, I have Face ID set for certain packages and it works just fine. It is classic upgrade Software for login - routines work fine, incompetence.

 

[Mrtdmr]

Since 16.1.1 face id keep asking password even I have reset face id from settings several times but still same problem

 

[Scruff1026]

Same problem here with my 13. Works when it wants to sometimes I have to tap the power button and let it try again. Seems to me like all apple products are have unusual problems since September and not getting any better.

 

[cptcaveman]

Maybe The phone have replaced parts? I saw a video where it shows that 3rd party parts no longer work on ios 16

No previous repairs. Phone was in fine working order, including Face ID immediately prior the update.

 

[hamiltonDSi]

Tried almost everything: alternative appearance, dfu, reset face id, vpn profiles deletion

So what you tried made sense, except deleting the vpns ? Just curious, what made you think a vpn profile could lead to faceID issues?

 

[exymore]

So what you tried made sense, except deleting the vpns ? Just curious, what made you think a vpn profile could lead to faceID issues?

I have read that it was helpful for one of the users.

No new news about this issue? Can't get used to unlocking with passcode, it's terrible.

 

[sparky672]

I have a 13 Pro since brand new in late 2021.

Face ID has been very unreliable only for the last week or so. Up until then, it's been near perfect. Now I randomly get asked for the PIN and sometimes, no matter what I do, it always asks for the PIN. "Enter PIN to activate Face ID" over and over. Then it works great for a while after a hard reboot... sometimes not. I have setup Face ID from scratch a couple times, but it's a painful process because whatever is wrong makes Face ID setup nearly impossible... asking "a little lower" over and over and never working. Then suddenly the circle appears and it works.

So today, it's not working ... PIN, PIN, PIN, all. day. long. Force reboots not working. Finally out of frustration, I tapped the top edge of the phone on my cheap wooden (particle board) desktop about five to ten times.... if something is loose, it's going to get better or it's going to stay broken.

Well, it worked immediately... Face ID is unlocking again. I have no idea how long that is going to last.

If anyone is interested, I held the phone with the screen facing down, then I tilted it at a 45 degree angle, so basically I was only tapping with contact along the top edge where the notch is located. I have a clear plastic bumper case so no chance of screen breakage even though these were relatively light taps. Yes, I am aware of the risks... my old iPhone 6s screen was killed from a single face-down drop. No cracks... just blacked out.

 

[steve62388]

@sparky672

Whilst it does sound suspiciously like you might have a hardware fault, in general it’s best to enter your passcode when faceID doesn’t recognise you because it adapts over time. Resetting it just starts the process over again.

I shaved my beard off recently and had a couple of requests for my passcode, but it learnt within a day or so.

 

[sparky672]

@sparky672

Whilst it does sound suspiciously like you might have a hardware fault, in general it’s best to enter your passcode when faceID doesn’t recognise you because it adapts over time. Resetting it just starts the process over again.

I shaved my beard off recently and had a couple of requests for my passcode, but it learnt within a day or so.

I only reset it twice last week while troubleshooting. Reactivating by password does not ever work. If you have to "re-activate" with passcode every 30 seconds, then it's not actually re-activating. That’s precisely the problem.

Right now when it fails…. tap tap tap on the table and it starts working every time. Doesn’t last though. Very annoying.

Hoping to limp along into iPhone 15.