How do I turn off Stolen Device Protection when Face ID is not working?

I want to turn off the option to protect the stolen devices, but the Face ID is broken, what is the method?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Face ID is broken,

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Jun 3, 2025 06:52 PM

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3 replies

Jun 5, 2025 01:41 AM in response to Basem2245

See the pic below which is self-explanatory



Probably you have "Always" Ticked in place of "Away from Familiar Location"


For enhanced security, there's a one-hour delay when changing your location settings from "Always" to "Away from Familiar Location." This applies even if you use Face ID for authentication.



A delay will be required when you are not at a familiar location, such as your home or work, to change security settings.


Know more --> About Stolen Device Protection for iPhone



Simply adding a location to your contact card (e.g., marking it as "Home") does not automatically make it a "Familiar Location" in the context of iPhone's location-based learning and features.


Why Adding "Home" to the Contact Card Isn't Enough:

  1. Trust and Validation: Adding an address to your contact card can be done manually or by anyone with access to your phone, but the iPhone uses activity-based learning to validate locations it deems "familiar."
  2. Behavior-Based Learning: iPhones utilize machine learning and location tracking (if enabled) to recognize patterns of frequent visits. It identifies "Familiar Locations" based on where the phone spends significant time during specific periods, like overnight stays or long durations.


What You Can Do:

  1. Spend Time at the Location: Use your iPhone at your new address consistently, especially during the hours you'd normally be home (e.g., evening and night). Over time, the iPhone will learn this as a familiar location.
  2. Enable Location Services:
    1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and ensure it's turned on.
    2. Make sure "Significant Locations" (under System Services) is enabled. This helps the iPhone learn frequently visited locations.
  3. Ensure GPS Accuracy: Poor GPS accuracy can delay location recognition. Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi, as this improves location precision indoors.


By doing this, the iPhone will naturally associate the address with your routines, and over time, it will classify it as a "Familiar Location."



Jun 4, 2025 08:51 AM in response to Basem2245

You will need to get your iPhone's TrueDepth Camera serviced at your nearest Apple Store's Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider. Stolen Device Protection is a security mechanism that is supposed to prevent others from accessing or changing sensitive information on your iPhone even with the passcode, so there is no way to bypass it as the thieves could also apply this same method if there were one.


Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Jun 4, 2025 08:47 PM in response to Basem2245

Read about the process in this support article: About Stolen Device Protection for iPhone - Apple Support


You will have to be in a "familiar location" so you do not need FaceID and the phone will not assume you are a thief (as was implied in a previous post): "When your iPhone is in a familiar location […] you can use your device passcode like usual. Familiar locations typically include your home, work, and certain other locations where you regularly use your iPhone."


Of course then get your phone repaired.

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How do I turn off Stolen Device Protection when Face ID is not working?

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