Why is Face ID failing after updating to iOS 18.3.1?

My Face ID stopped working after 18.3.1 was installed on my iphone 11 and it will not let me reset it despite all the suggested fixes. This is definitely as a result of the update as it worked immediate beforehand and stopped working immediately after the update completed!!

I really hope Apple will be providing a foc fix for this issue as a matter of urgency

It did not work for me and I have an Iphone 12 Pro Max. I'm reaching out to Apple now. Anyone else having this issue right after the latest update?

I'm engaging the media because Apple is not acting to our satisfaction and playing this out like it's our fault. Guess what, I'm not losing another device due to Apple's lack of testing. I lost an Apple watch 5 which still looping due to an update.

@ABC @GMA customers are reporting Face ID failures causing the camera to fail after @Apple update 18.3.1. They want customers to pay for the repairs because the diagnostic tool shows a hardware issue. #Bad @AppleSupport Your software caused the hardware issues #News #Investigate

Got it fixed on my iPhone 15 Pro.

Steps all under FaceID & Passcode in Settings:

1) Turn off Stolen Device Protection. It will fail several times before it asks you for your passcode.

2) Reset FaceID, and it leave off

3) Turn off iPhone, and wait for full shutdown

4) Turn iPhone back on

5) Setup FaceID

6) Turn Stolen Device Protection back on.

These steps worked for me. And it didn’t work when I skipped the off and on again steps.

After updated to 18.3.1 yesterday,(13 pro max) today Face ID fails every time. Is there a fix?

Strength lies in unity. Please continue to share this message so that we can encourage @Apple to address the issues with our phones, either through repair services or replacement options. Thank you for your support!

Same that Face ID stopped working after the update. Tried reset but it won’t allow me to set a new one.

It happened to me after 18.3.1 and I just reset Face ID.

However many apps (all banking apps plus others) then needed Face ID switched on or re-established.

it was nothing to do with camera settings, it was just caused by iOS 18.3.1.

Update after speaking with Apple:

• Apple will not assist with this without me paying for a hardware FaceID module swap.
• Apple support will look at your diagnostic report and ask you to reset your phone. I resetted it via the iPhone and via a Mac, none of that worked.
• Apple support will then have you book an appointment with a tech in person; however, techs can't provide software changes, so you will need to do a hardware install, and you'll need to pay for it out of pocket.
• Apple's current support structure is not set up to deal with issues like these unless customers cause this issue to be visible publicly in some way.

I’m using an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Same thing happened to my device after updating to ios 18.3.1. My phone was never dropped, never got wet, I use it mainly for communication and social media. So I don’t think I have done anything to have caused this.

I have tried tried forced restart, I’ve also tried resetting the faceid and I cannot set up a new one, so I tried restoring my phone. But I still cannot set up a new faceid. Then I learned that true depth sensor is not working.

You can check yours by using another camera to see if there are lights coming out of the sensor. You’ll only see it through another camera.

I’ve done all troubleshooting steps I found online. But none worked. Hoping the next update fixes it and I hope it comes out soon.

Same problem here. Upgraded my 12 Pro Max to 18.3.1 and the Face ID fails.

Rebooted, no fix

Disabled stolen device protection, was able to turn off Face ID. But would not let me turn it back on.

Rebooted several times since. All the Face ID options are greyed out.

Does Apple test the basic functions of their software before releasing? I hate these forced releases with bugs.

I just purchased my iPhone 16 this past Tuesday. Initially the Face ID worked, but then the software updated. Now it does not recognize my face. I chatted with Apple, they had me reset a bunch of things. Face ID still doesn't work.

Today my Face ID is working after upgrade 18.3.2

I wanted to give everyone an update... I couldn't get this resolved so I scheduled a Genius appointment.

They confirmed they couldn't get it to work... some speculation that the front-facing sensors for Face ID were about to fail, and that the 18.3.1 update might have just taken them over the edge. I'm not sure if I totally buy that, but they were able to resolve my issue by replacing the physical hardware part. They did the repair in an hour while I waited. Very professional and also very quick repair in my opinion.

The two sensors at play are not the clear front facing camera we use for selfies, but rather the two dark colored lenses to the left of the earpiece/speaker.

Again 12 Pro Max with AppleCare, here's what they replaced:

TrueDepth Camera, iPhone 12 Pro Max

Item Number: 661-23799

Cost without AppleCare $169.00

The "TrueDepth camera" on an iPhone 12 Pro Max refers to the front-facing camera used for facial recognition technology, known as Face ID, which captures detailed depth data of your face to securely unlock your phone; it is a 12MP camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. 

I had this repaired 5 days ago and everything is still working great.