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To disable Face ID temporarily, press and hold the side button and either volume button for about two seconds. When the power-off and Emergency SOS sliders appear, press the side button to lock the iPhone. The next unlock requires your passcode; Face ID works again after you enter it.

Disable Face ID temporarily

Use this shortcut when you want the next unlock to require a passcode without changing Face ID settings:

  1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button for about two seconds, until the sliders appear.
  2. Press the side button once to lock the iPhone.
  3. Unlock with your passcode. Face ID becomes available again after this passcode unlock.

The button combination opens the power-off and Emergency SOS controls. Do not slide either control unless you intend to shut down the phone or start an emergency call. These steps apply to iPhone models with Face ID and a side button. Apple’s iPhone Face ID guide describes the shortcut.

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Turn off Face ID for iPhone Unlock

To require a passcode each time you unlock the phone while keeping Face ID enrolled for other uses:

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  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode.
  3. Turn off iPhone Unlock.

Face ID will no longer unlock the iPhone, but it may still authenticate other enabled features. Apple documents this control in its Face ID security overview.

Turn off Face ID for selected features

Open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode. Turn off the options you do not want Face ID to authenticate. Depending on your iPhone, iOS version, installed apps, and configuration, available controls may include:

  • iPhone Unlock
  • iTunes & App Store
  • Wallet & Apple Pay
  • Password AutoFill
  • Face ID access for supported apps

Apple lists Face ID uses including unlocking, Apple Pay, media purchases, and password-related functions in its Face ID overview. Turning off one option does not necessarily disable the others.

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Reset Face ID to remove its enrollment

If you want to remove the enrolled Face ID setup rather than merely stop a particular use, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap Reset Face ID. You will need to set Face ID up again before using it. The iPhone remains protected by its passcode. See Apple’s Face ID setup and reset instructions.

If the iPhone is lost or stolen

If you no longer have the iPhone, use Find My to mark it as lost instead of relying on a button shortcut performed on the device. Apple says Lost Mode prevents Face ID from being used to unlock the lost iPhone. See Apple’s Face ID security guidance.

Why your iPhone may ask for a passcode automatically

A passcode prompt does not always mean Face ID has been turned off in Settings. Apple lists circumstances that require passcode authentication, including:

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  • The iPhone has just been turned on or restarted.
  • It has not been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
  • The passcode has not been used for 6.5 days and Face ID has not been used for four hours.
  • Face ID has failed five times.
  • Emergency SOS was initiated or Medical ID was accessed.
  • The iPhone received a remote lock command.

These are passcode requirements, not changes to your Face ID settings. Details are in Apple’s passcode guide.

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Stolen Device Protection and Face ID changes

Stolen Device Protection is available on iPhones running iOS 17.3 or later. It adds safeguards for sensitive actions, including changes involving Face ID or Touch ID; depending on the protection setting and location, a change may require another biometric authentication and a security delay. The current iOS guide describes Away from Familiar Locations and Always settings. If you only need to force a passcode for the next unlock, use the temporary button shortcut rather than weakening theft protection. See Apple’s pages on Stolen Device Protection requirements, security delays, and its iOS settings.

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If you meant attention settings or Face ID with a Mask

Turn off Face ID with a Mask

To stop mask-based recognition without disabling Face ID generally, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn off Face ID with a Mask, if that option is available on your iPhone. Apple’s Face ID guide covers the setting.

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Change attention requirements

If your concern is that the iPhone checks whether you are looking at it, open Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention. There you can change Require Attention for Face ID, Attention Aware Features, or Haptic on Successful Authentication. Adjusting these options is not the same as disabling Face ID, and turning off attention checks can reduce security. See Apple’s attention settings guide.

If you cannot change Face ID settings

The Face ID & Passcode screen requires the iPhone passcode. If Stolen Device Protection is imposing a security delay, follow the on-screen process; its requirements can depend on the selected protection setting and whether the iPhone is at a familiar location. If you do not know the device passcode, there is no settings-based bypass. Apple’s passcode guide explains passcode requirements.

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