Why does my iPhone require passcode for Face ID frequently?

On several occasions lately while the phone is on, I get a "passcode required to enable face ID" message. It happened twice yesterday in two different environments and then again this morning. Prior to that, it seemed like it was happening each morning.


To fix this, I have so far setup an alternative face ID, but what apple support failed to mention was that this would sign me out of apps that have been setup with face ID. I've turned off the setting "require attention for face ID." Apple support suggested that wireless charging could be causing this so i switched to using a USB C charger.


Apple support also suggested that my phone could be turning off at night. I don't see how this is possible. Given the number of times in recent weeks that I've been forced to enter my pin to unlock the phone, I need to get this issue resolved.


I think there's either a glitch in the phone software or some hidden setting that says require pin for face ID every 24 hours, but then that does not explain why i had to use the pin twice yesterday to unlock.


Device: iPhone 16 pro max 18.3.1


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Feb 18, 2025 05:41 AM

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Posted on Feb 18, 2025 08:14 AM

This link covers when the passcode is required→About Face ID advanced technology - Apple Support. From the link:


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 or Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.


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8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 18, 2025 08:14 AM in response to CB2367

This link covers when the passcode is required→About Face ID advanced technology - Apple Support. From the link:


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 or Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.


Feb 18, 2025 09:14 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

These are the exact same steps that I received when I contacted Apple support about this. NONE of the situations apply.


For instance, first thing in the morning I try to unlock the phone and it immediately requires the pin. Bright room and I’m looking right at the phone and it certainly would not have been five failed attempts at unlocking.


Still looking for a resolution on this!

Feb 18, 2025 09:35 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

The phone was sitting upright in the wireless charger cradle but I always make sure I lock the phone using the side button just before putting it on the charger.


Now that I’m using a USB C cable, the phone is flat on the nightstand. I turned off attention aware settings when the alarm was not going off as it should and I recently turned off require attention for Face ID. Standby mode is currently on, so that setting isn’t working.


Honestly, when I had my android phone, I could charge it using the same methods as the iPhone and the android phone used fingerprint to unlock —- no issues at all. With the iPhone, first it was alarms not sounding and now it’s having to use the pin to unlock multiple times during the day for no apparent reason.

Feb 19, 2025 08:09 AM in response to CB2367

CB2367 wrote:

Again being forced to unlock with the pin first thing in the morning. Display was off all night until the alarm. This needs to be fixed because Face ID unlock is not working consistently and it’s irritating.

Well, for hundreds of millions of users it works as described previously, so if it has to be fixed it has to be fixed on your iPhone, not the other hundreds of millions. So you should contact Apple support again for the problem that is specific to your situation.



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Why does my iPhone require passcode for Face ID frequently?

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