Face ID lets you securely unlock your iPhone or iPad, confirm purchases, and more — all with just a glance. But it can be frustrating if your device keeps saying that your passcode is required to enable Face ID, especially when it happens every time you try to use it. Many iPhone users have reported this problem in the Apple Community. If your iPhone keeps asking for your passcode instead of Face ID, you're probably wondering how to fix it. In this article, we'll show you several ways to resolve the "Your passcode is required to enable Face ID" issue so Face ID can work more smoothly again.

• Part 1. Why Is a Passcode Required to Enable Face ID
• Part 2. How to Fix Face ID Keeps Asking for Passcode
  • Method 1. Restart Your Device
  • Method 2. Clear the TrueDepth Camera
  • Method 3. Disable Tap to Wake
  • Method 4. Turn Off Raise to Wake
  • Method 5. Add an Alternative Appearance
  • Method 6. Reset Face ID on iPhone
  • Method 7. Set up Face ID with a Mask
  • Method 8. Disable Require Attention for Face ID
  • Method 9. Adjust Require Passcode
  • Method 10. Update iOS to the Latest Version
• Part 3. How to Bypass Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face IDHOT
• Part 4. FAQs about iPhone Face ID
• Part 5. Conclusion

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Part 1. Why Is a Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

When you pick up your iPhone and are about to unlock it with your Face ID, you may be prompted to the passcode screen and be displayed with the "Your Passcode is required to enable Face ID" message. This is Apple's advanced Face ID technology, designed to secure the information on your device. In the following cases, you will be required to enter your passcode to enable Face ID:

• You are wearing a face mask, but you don't set up Face ID with a mask.
• Your iPhone has just been powered on or restarted.
• Your iPhone hasn't been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
• Your iPhone has received a remote lock command.
• You have tried five failed attempts to unlock your device with Face ID.
• You haven't unlocked your iPhone with the passcode in the last six and a half days, and Face
• ID hasn't unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
• You may initiate power off or Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.

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Part 2. How to Fix Face ID Keeps Asking for Passcode

Your passcode is required to enable Face ID in certain situations. However, many Apple users report that their iPhones keep asking for a passcode instead of using Face ID, which greatly affects quick access to the device. In this case, you can try the following methods to adjust your iPhone settings and reduce the likelihood of Face ID asking for a passcode.

Method 1. Restart Your Device

If you're being required to enter your passcode every time, a restart can clear minor system bugs and refresh system services related to Face ID.

For iPhone X and later:

Step 1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.

Step 2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. 

Step 3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd and 3rd generation)

Step 1. Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears.

Step 2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.

Step 3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone SE (1st generation) and earlier:

Step 1. Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears.

Step 2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.

Step 3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Method 2. Clear the TrueDepth Camera

Face ID relies on the TrueDepth camera to scan your face accurately. Dirt, dust, fingerprints, or screen protectors misaligned over the sensor can interfere with detection, causing repeated failures and forcing the iPhone to ask for your passcode. Clearing the TruDepth camera and keeping the area around the front camera clean and unobstructed helps Face ID recognize you quickly and reliably.

Method 3. Disable Tap to Wake

With Tap to Wake turned on, the iPhone screen can light up unintentionally when it is in your pocket. This can trigger lock‑screen activity and failed Face ID attempts, which may lead to Face ID asking for the passcode. Disabling Tap to Wake can reduce the likelihood of passcode-required prompts.

Step 1. Go to Settings on your device and tap Accessibility.

Step 2. Tap Touch and disable Tap to Wake.

Method 4. Turn Off Raise to Wake

Raise to Awake is another possible setting that will lead to unintentional lock activity on your iPhone. Once you pick up your iPhone, the screen will light and the device may repeatedly attempt Face ID at times when you're not looking at it. If your Face is not complete in front of the camera, it may accumulate failed attempts and ask for passcode.

Step 1. Start by tapping Display & Brightness in Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down and find Raise to Wake, then toggle it off.

Method 5. Add an Alternative Appearance

Face ID is trained on your facial features. If your appearance changes significantly, Face ID might fail more often and ask for your passcode instead. Adding an alternative appearance can improve recognition in varied conditions and reduce passcode prompts.

Step 1. Head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.

Step 2. Tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Method 6. Reset Face ID on iPhone

The previous Face ID data may become less accurate if it was originally set up in poor lighting or at improper angles. If Face ID keeps asking for a passcode, resetting Face ID will clear existing face data and let you start over with a fresh scan. Then the device can rely on Face ID more instead of asking for your passcode.

Step 1. Navigate to Settings on your iPhone and tap Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2. Tap Reset Face ID, then tap Set up Face ID to set it up again.

Method 7. Set up Face ID with a Mask

When you wear a mask, much of your face is covered, and Face ID struggles to identify you accurately. Apple offers an option to use Face ID with a mask on iPhone 12 and later models. You can set up Face ID with a mask so that your device can recognize your identity normally.

Step 1. Locate Settings on your iPhone, then tap Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2. Turn on Face ID with a Mask, then tap Use Face ID with a Mask.

Step 3. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up Face ID using the same face scan process.

Method 8. Disable Require Attention for Face ID

If you have enabled the Require Attention for Face ID setting, it's essential to stare at the iPhone's front camera to unlock it with Face ID. In some cases, when you are wearing sunglasses or using the phone at odd angles, this setting may cause failed or incomplete attempts. Disabling this feature can improve the Face ID recognition, though with a slight reduction in security.

Step 1. Head to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then enter your screen lock passcode.

Step 2. Toggle off Require Attention for Face.

Method 9. Adjust Require Passcode

In the Face ID settings, the Require Passcode option is designed to protect your device. If it's set to Immediately, your iPhone will ask for the passcode as soon as the screen locks. You can change this to a longer time interval so you won't need to enter your passcode every time you unlock the device.

Step 1. In Settings of your iPhone, tap Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2. Tap Require Passcode and select After 4 hours.

Method 10. Update iOS to the Latest Version

Face ID performance and security are highly related to the software system. Running the latest iOS version ensures you have the most stable and optimized Face ID algorithms, which can significantly cut down on unexpected passcode prompts.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General, then tap Software Update.

Step 2. Tap Download and Install to download the update.

Step 3. Enter your passcode, then tap Install Now.

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Part 3. How to Bypass Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID

Face ID is actually very convenient for quick unlocking. It's not strange that the Face ID keeps asking for a passcode and you have forgotten the screen passcode. In this case, you may need to remove the iPhone screen passcode. Here, you can use an iPhone passcode unlocker. As an unlocking tool for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, MagFone iPhone Unlocker is capable of removing various screen locks like Face ID in various situations. Here you can use MagFone iPhone Unlocker to delete Face ID when you forget the passcode for your iPhone. Simply follow the steps below to get started.

Step 1 Connect iPhone to Computer and Open MagFone

The first thing is to get your iPhone connected to your computer by using a USB cable. Then launch MagFone iPhone Unlocker on the computer and select the Remove iOS Screen option. After the software detects your device, click on the Start button.

Step 2 Put iPhone into DFU Mode with the Onscreen Steps

For unlocking Face ID, you need to boot your iPhone into DFU mode by following the onscreen instructions. If you cannot put your iPhone into DFU mode, you can click the link on the software to make your device into recovery mode.

Step 3 Download the Matching Firmware Package for iPhone

After that, all the device information of your iPhone appears on the screen. Then check to see if there is anything wrong and you can manually correct it. Then select a firmware and click the Download button to download the firmware package.

Step 4 Start to Remove Face ID from iPhone without Passcode

Finally, click the Unlock button to unzip and verify the firmware package. And MagFone iPhone Unlocker will immediately delete Face ID on your device. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer until the process finishes.

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Part 4. FAQs about Face ID on iPhone

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Part 5. Conclusion

Simply put, when your passcode is required to enable Face ID, there are a number of solutions you can try to resolve the issue. If you forget the screen passcode, you can use MagFone iPhone Unlocker to erase and reset Face ID to protect your device. If you have other questions or solutions, let us know in the comments.