Understanding how to turn off Face ID on iPhone is not just a matter of making a simple change to your phone settings, it is a conscious choice to take control of your digital privacy and security.
While Apple’s facial recognition is incredibly convenient, there are times – from increased privacy concerns to when sharing your device – that turning off facial recognition is the best option.
In this article, we’ll take you through the easy steps to turn off Face ID and throw in top-notch security tips to help you keep the phone as well data safe from prying eyes.
What to consider before turning off Face ID on iPhone?
Before deciding to turn off Face ID on your iPhone, take time to consider key factors that may affect your personal security needs and daily conveniences.
- Security risks
Face ID offers excellent biometric security to your device. However without it, you’re going to be limited to use of a passcode for authentication. With passcodes, they can be observed by others or can even be easily forgotten over time. They’re also less secure generally than biometrics authentication. Consider whether or not you’re okay with this decreased layer of security.
- Ease of accessibility and convenience
One of the greatest of trade-offs is usability. Face ID offers instant and hands-free unlocks making it ideal for frequent unlocking
- Privacy concerns
Apple‘s implementation is very much privacy-focused. The data about your face does not leave the device or get backed up to iCloud. However, some users are concerned about the overall normalization of facial recognition or exceptional cases such as close family resemblances. Disabling it removes any biometric data collection on your device, which will be attractive to people who want the least amount of personal data to be collected.
Use the best parental control app to protect teens from potential risks on their phones.
Step-by-step guide: how to completely turn off face ID on iPhone?
If you make up your mind to turn off Face ID on iPhone, the procedure is relatively fast and reversible.
By following these steps, your device would only be accessible by using your passcode.
- Step 1. Locate and tap on the Settings icon in your home screen in order to open it.
- Step 2. Scroll down, and select Face ID & Passcode.
- Step 3. Enter your existing numeric passcode to allow you to proceed.
- Step 4. A section named “Use Face ID For” is at the top of the menu, if all you want is to stop using your face for certain tasks, turn these individual switches off:
- iPhone Unlock
- Apple Pay
- iTunes & App Store
- Safari AutoFill
- Step 5. To completely disable face id in iphone, tap the red Reset Face ID option. If “Reset Face ID” is greyed out, then you first need to disable Stolen Device Protection, in the same menu.
If you can not find the Face ID menu,check your Screen Time settings.
Sometimes, ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’ is set to “Don’t Allow” for passcode change. If you change this to ‘Allow’, then the menu will be restored instantly. After you reset the data, the button will change to “Set Up Face ID”. This proves your biometric data is no longer there. You will, from now on, use your passcode for any further unlock.
Proven methods: how to temporarily disable Face ID on iPhone?
Sometimes you don’t need to permanently turn off Face ID on iPhone, you just need to have a momentary pause.
Apple includes several “secret” shortcuts to instantly lock biometrics. These techniques are ideal for traveling, security checkpoints or privacy in certain social situations.
Using the side button sequence
The quickest way is with the physical buttons of your iPhone at the same time. Press and hold the side button with either of the volume buttons together. Keep holding until the “slide to power off” screen shows. This immediately makes Face ID lose its functionality until you unlock the phone with your passcode.
You do not need to actually power down the device. All you need to do is hit Cancel and your iPhone will stay on but require a passcode entry.
Emergency SOS activation
Triggering Emergency SOS temporarily disables the facial recognition as a security measure. Quickly press the side button five times in quick succession. This causes the Emergency SOS screen to appear on your device. Face ID is disabled temporarily at this point for security reasons. Your next unlock will be required to be made via your passcode rather than facial recognition. This method is discrete in situations where quick action is needed.
Using Siri voice command
Ask Siri “Whose iPhone is this?” for an alternative approach. This is a simple question which triggers a temporary Face ID lockout. Your device will require passcode authentication in order to unlock it next time. However, this method requires that Siri is enabled and accessible.
Settings toggle method
Go to Settings and click on “Face ID & Passcode” for control purpose. Enter your passcode when you are prompted in order to access options. Toggle off “iPhone Unlock,” and you will disable Face ID temporarily. Your device automatically switches to passcode only authentication until you reactivate your device. This doesn’t remove Face ID from iPhone permanently or delete stored data.
Restart your device
A full device restart always requires passcode entry before Face ID works. Hold the side button and the volume button together; Slide and shut your iPhone off, then turn it back on.
With that, Face ID feature is disabled until you enter your passcode after restart. This gives a temporary suspension with no changes on any permanent settings.
Covering the TruDepth camera
Physically blocking the array of the front camera will prevent Face ID from functioning. When unlocking, position your finger over the area with top notches. Your iPhone will not recognize and ask you for your passcode instead. This works right out of the box, without having to go through any of the settings menus.
Attention awareness workaround
Close your eyes or look away when the unlock screen pops up. If “Require Attention for Face ID” is enabled then this prevents authentication.
Your device will eventually time out, requiring you to enter the passcode. This method is less practical to use regularly though.
Parents’ concern: is turning off Face ID on iPhone safe?
Understanding how to disable Face ID on iPhone is especially important for parents that are trying to control their child’s digital safety.
While biometric technology is advanced, it creates unique challenges when used by younger people. Main safety issues that parents need to keep in mind include.
- Higher risk of false matches. Apple’s official Face ID Security Guide specifically cautions parents that children under 13 are likely to have a “false match”. Since their facial features are not yet fully developed, siblings or close relatives might be able to unlock their devices.
- “Passive” access. Face ID can sometimes be used without the active consent of the user, for example, when a child is sleeping or distracted. Disabling it means that the phone is locked unless he or she willfully enters a code.
- The “Shoulder surfing” trade off. If you decide to disable Face ID on iPhone, your child would have to use a pass code. In school environments, they have peers who might monitor them typing this code and gain unauthorized access.
- Legal & privacy advantages. In many areas, biometric data is not as well protected by the law as a memorised passcode. Removing facial recognition service can give an additional level of privacy to a teen’s personal data within certain legal and social environments.
- Hardware reliability. If a child drops their phone the TrueDepth camera can break. Knowing how to how to turn off Face ID on iPhone is crucial in order to keep the device functional using only the passcode when the hardware fails.
Therefore, disabling Face ID essentially changes the “front door” security of the device from biometrics to the passcode option.
However, this is only secure if the child uses a strong, 6-digit alphanumeric code. Relying on just a simple “123456” or a birthdate may make the device much more vulnerable than if they had kept the Face ID turned on.
Enhance minors’ digital safety with parental control tool
Whilst knowing how to disable Face ID on iPhone is a great first step for privacy, it is only one part of a bigger digital safety strategy.
For parents, controlling a teen’s online world involves far more than hardware settings. Built-in iOS features, such as Screen Time, provide good baseline functionality, but can be bypassed by tech-savvy teens and don’t provide any deep insight in real-time.
Therefore, in order to keep your kid safe, you should consider using a special third-party tool, such as FlashGet Kids. This app goes beyond the basic settings, allowing parents to get a “bird’s-eye view” of their child’s digital life. It is geared to promote healthy habits and protect children from unknown online threats. Some of the major features of FlashGet Kids include.
- Alerts. Get real-time instant alerts when your child accesses risky content, tries to install additional apps, or engages in concerning behavior.
- Usage reports. Receive detailed reports every day or every week about their overall digital habits. These insights enable you to identify patterns and direct your teen towards well-balanced routines.
- Browser safety. Automatically block inappropriate websites and create a “white list” of approved URLs for the younger kids, to keep them safe.
- Screen mirroring. Offers live view of the child’s screen directly to the parent’s phone revealling hidden apps or chats and verifying safety after disable Face ID on iPhone.
With these features, you can be assured that even if your child’s face recognition iPhone settings are tampered with, their level of safety will still be intact. These tools are a digital bodyguard and will bring peace of mind to the modern-day parent.
Wrap up
Understanding how to turn off Face ID on iPhone allows you to make informed choices about your security. Whether disabling on a temporary basis due to privacy or permanently removing facial data, the process is quite simple.
However, keep in mind that Face ID offers strong security that most passcodes can never be able to match. Therefore, before you can proceed, carefully assess security implications and implement effective alternative authentication methods.
FAQs
Face ID uses the TrueDepth camera of the iPhone to scan your face with infrared light. It maps out unique facial features and encrypts the information on your device. It then compares the data scanned each time you unlock, pay or sign in to apps.
Open Settings, tap on Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode. Under Use Face ID For, uncheck all of the options, such as iPhone Unlock and Apple Pay. Then click on Reset Face ID to completely disable the Face ID.
Face ID is quite secure and harder to guess than short passcodes. However, security is dependent on setup. A strong and long passcode can be equally protective, particularly when Face ID is disabled or unavailable.
