Face ID asking for passcode

It is secure, but per the link timothyprime shared with you:

“You must enter your passcode for additional security validation when:

• The device has just been turned on or restarted.
• The device hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
• The passcode hasn’t been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn't unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
• The device has received a remote lock command.
• After five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
• After initiating power off/Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.”

Timothyprime:

KNOWING your passcode is an essential element in recovering your phone if it’s lost, damaged, or when you want to upgrade.

(Because the passcode is one part of the “key” that encrypts the device’s data)

By arbitrarily “forcing” owners to KNOW their passcodes … it eases the support complexities “later on.”

(Obviously good for Apple … but GREAT for the owner who can successfully restore his backed-up data to a replacement phone)

Are you finding that you need to enter your passcode more often than the instances that shoeluvr13 posted?

Please re-read the rules posted by shoeluvr13. These are the rules we all must get used to if want to use Face ID. Remember, you may own the hardware in your phone but you do not own the software, you have a license to use the software and we all have to use iOS according to that license.. iOS remains the property of Apple.

No, they are not arbitrary. Your facial scan is stored in the processor’s “secure enclave”, a storage area that is encrypted. Your passcode is the decryption key for the secure enclave. When you are using the phone your facial scan is stored in RAM after being copied from the Secure Enclave, where it is erased from RAM when the phone is powered off, or at other times when it might be possible for someone with physical access to the phone and hardware designed to hack the phone to scan the phone’s RAM.

I will add one rule that shoeluvr missed: If you press the Side button 5 times quickly it also erases the facial scan from RAM. This is a security feature so if you feel threatened you can prevent someone from forcibly scanning your face to unlock the phone. Another protection that you can enable is Require Attention for Face ID (in Settings/Face ID & Passcode); this will cause Face ID to fail if your eyes are closed.

▷ For security purposes, a password is required to activate Face ID for additional security validation . 🔐

Think of it this way: you have to unlock a door before you can open that door. Your passcode is needed to enable the face ID system.

You may find the rules arbitrary, but it’s apples products and software and they’ve found the steps necessary to help customers keep their devices secure.

In your analogy Face ID is the keypad lock for the door and and the phones passcode is the physical key back up. To have no lock means no face ID or passcode.

What happens if the face ID system becomes disabled?

How would you unlock your phone then?