How to Turn Off Face Recognition on iPhone

Where to find Face Recognition settings on your iPhone

Face Recognition on iPhone is called Face ID, and you control it through the Settings app. Open Settings, tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your passcode. From there you can turn off specific features that use your face to unlock or authenticate things — you cannot disable Face ID entirely without losing access to your phone, but you can prevent it from working in particular situations.

The settings you see depend on your iPhone model. Newer iPhones with Face ID show different options than older models. If you have an iPhone X or later, you will see the full range of Face ID controls. If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier, your phone uses Touch ID instead and does not have Face ID at all.

Key Takeaways

Face ID settings live in Settings > Face ID & Passcode, and you need your passcode to view them.
You can turn off "iPhone Unlock" to prevent Face ID from unlocking your phone, but you will need your passcode every time.
Turning off "Apple Pay" stops Face ID from authorizing payments, and "iTunes & App Store" prevents it from approving app downloads.
You can disable Face ID for specific apps by going to Settings > Privacy and turning off Face ID for each one individually.
Attention Aware Features makes your phone require a passcode if it detects you are not looking at the screen — turning this off removes that check.

Turning off Face ID for unlocking your iPhone

If you want to use your passcode instead of your face every time you unlock your phone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off "iPhone Unlock". Your phone will no longer recognize your face and will ask for your passcode at the lock screen.

This is the most complete way to stop Face ID from working, but it means you lose the speed of face recognition for the most common task — unlocking your phone. Many people turn this off if they wear a mask regularly, use their phone while lying down, or simply prefer not to use facial recognition.

Disabling Face ID for payments and app downloads

Face ID can authorize Apple Pay transactions and app purchases without you typing your password. To stop this, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off "Apple Pay" and "iTunes & App Store" separately.

With "Apple Pay" off, you will need to use your passcode or enter your card details manually when paying with your phone. With "iTunes & App Store" off, you will need your Apple ID password to download or update apps. You can turn these off independently — for example, you might disable Face ID for payments but keep it on for app downloads.

Turning off Face ID for individual apps

Some apps use Face ID to log you in or confirm actions within the app itself. To stop Face ID from working in a specific app, go to Settings > Privacy, scroll down and tap "Face ID", then toggle off the apps you do not want to use it.

This approach is useful if you want Face ID to work for unlocking your phone and Apple Pay, but not for a particular banking app or password manager. The list shows only apps that have requested Face ID permission, so you may not see every app you use.

Disabling Attention Aware Features

Attention Aware Features make your iPhone require your passcode if it detects that you are not looking at the screen. This is a security measure meant to prevent someone else from using Face ID while you are not paying attention. To turn it off, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off "Attention Aware Features".

With this setting off, Face ID will unlock your phone even if you are not looking at it. This makes your phone faster to unlock but less secure if someone holds it up to your face without your knowledge.

What happens if you forget your Face ID passcode

If you forget your passcode, you cannot access Face ID settings to change anything. You will need to reset your iPhone through Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, or use a computer with Finder or iTunes to restore your phone. This erases everything on your device.

If you remember your passcode but want to set up Face ID again after disabling it, go back to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and follow the on-screen steps to scan your face. You can set up Face ID multiple times if you want to register different angles or lighting conditions.

Face ID versus Touch ID on older iPhones

If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier, your phone uses Touch ID (fingerprint recognition) instead of Face ID. The settings are in Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. You can turn off "iPhone Unlock", "Apple Pay", and "iTunes & App Store" the same way, but you are managing fingerprint recognition instead of facial recognition.

To remove a fingerprint entirely, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and tap the X next to the fingerprint you want to delete. You can store up to five fingerprints on most iPhones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely delete my Face ID data from my iPhone?

Face ID data is stored in a secure chip on your phone and cannot be deleted through settings. Turning off "iPhone Unlock" stops Face ID from working, but the facial data remains. If you want to remove it entirely, you must erase your iPhone through Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Does turning off Face ID make my iPhone more secure?

Turning off Face ID for unlocking makes your phone require a passcode, which is more secure if your passcode is strong. However, Face ID itself is considered very secure — the chance of someone else unlocking your phone with their face is extremely low. The main security benefit of disabling it is preventing someone from using your phone while you are not looking.

Will Face ID still work if I wear glasses or a mask?

Face ID works with glasses, but not with masks that cover your nose and mouth. If you wear a mask regularly, you can turn off "iPhone Unlock" and use your passcode instead, or set up an alternative appearance in Face ID settings on newer iPhones. Some newer models also support Face ID while wearing a mask if you are wearing glasses.

What is the difference between turning off Face ID and turning off Attention Aware Features?

Turning off Face ID for unlocking stops your phone from recognizing your face at all. Turning off Attention Aware Features keeps Face ID working but removes the check that you are looking at the screen. With Attention Aware Features off, someone could hold your phone up to your face and unlock it without your knowledge.

Can I use Face ID for some things but not others?

Yes. You can turn off "iPhone Unlock" but keep "Apple Pay" on, or disable Face ID for specific apps while keeping it for payments. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode to toggle individual features, and Settings > Privacy > Face ID to control which apps can use it.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.