How To Resolve Face ID Not Recognizing Your Face in iOS 17 and iOS 18

Fixing a Weird Unrecognized FS ID on iPhone or iPad

Honestly, this one caught me off guard. Out of nowhere, my device started acting like the FS ID wasn’t recognized anymore. If that’s happening to you, you’re definitely not alone. It’s kind of a pain, especially if it messes with features like Face ID or other biometric stuff. After tearing my hair out trying to figure it out, I finally got some clarity—so I’m sharing what finally helped me, in case it saves someone else a huge headache.

Start with the basics—check your network

First thing I learned the hard way: a flaky Wi-Fi connection can actually cause this recognition hiccup. Like, if your internet isn’t stable, your device might fail to communicate with Apple’s servers properly, which could mess with your FS ID recognition. So, go into Settings > Wi-Fi and double-check that your connection is solid. If it’s dropping out, reconnect or switch to a different band or network if you can. On my older ASUS router, toggling the 5 GHz band helped clear it up. Also, a quick router reboot sometimes does the trick. It’s such a simple step, but don’t overlook it.

Disable VPNs and update your software

Next, I noticed that keeping the VPN on while troubleshooting just seems to complicate things. VPNs can interfere with device recognition because they reroute traffic, and frankly, I think it confused my device about its identity somehow. So, disable it completely. You can do this from your VPN app or in Settings > General > VPN — just tap *Disconnect* or toggle it off. Then, I checked for updates — again, sounds obvious but it’s easy to forget. Head over to Settings > General > Software Update. If there’s any update pending, install it. Keeping your iOS or iPadOS current is super important — I’ve seen bugs get fixed with updates that I didn’t even realize I needed.

Reset network settings — big help

This was a game-changer. If your device isn’t recognizing the FS ID properly, resetting the network settings might clear out any cached data messing with the process. As with all resets, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone / iPad, then tap on Reset and select Reset Network Settings. Be warned: you’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords afterward, so have them ready. It’s a bit of a pain, but after doing this, my device’s recognition problem was finally resolved. Took a few reboots, but worth it.

Check your Privacy & Location Settings

This also tripped me up unexpectedly. Sometimes, if your Location Services are turned off or misconfigured, your device might struggle to recognize or authenticate your ID properly. So, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and make sure it’s toggled on (green).Then, at the bottom, tap on System Services. I found that enabling options like Significant Locations and System Customization really helped stabilize recognition. These system features are what help your device learn your face, ID, and such. If they’re off, recognition can go haywire.

Reboot Face ID and re-enroll if needed

If recognition still acts up, resetting Face ID can sometimes be the fix. To do this, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. You’ll be prompted for your passcode — don’t forget it — and then tap Reset Face ID. Afterward, run through the Face ID setup again, making sure you’re in good lighting, hold the phone about 10-12 inches from your face, and follow the prompts carefully. This process essentially reinitializes your biometric data and can fix accuracy issues. I had to do this after a big OS update, and it made a noticeable difference.

Double-check your Face ID calibration

After resetting, re-setup Face ID properly. Use good lighting, avoid dim rooms or backlit situations where your face isn’t clearly visible. Keep the device at a comfortable distance and follow the scan prompts exactly. Sometimes, just a small lighting change or angle throws it off. If it still acts odd, try setting it up again — a fresh calibration can make all the difference.

Keep in mind: hardware and account factors

If none of this worked, consider hardware problems — maybe the TrueDepth sensor or front camera is faulty. Also, if you recently had repairs or replaced parts, that could impact recognition. And sometimes, account issues (like a recent Apple ID change or security setting) can cause recognition hiccups, too. In those cases, reaching out to Apple Support might be the only option.

Finally, a few tips on troubleshooting mindset

Honestly, I had a lot of false starts and some trial-and-error — patience is key. After each step, reboot the device, test recognition again. And don’t forget to keep your device updated; some bugs only get fixed with updates. Also, check that your device hardware is compatible with your current iOS version. On my older iPad, it was suddenly missing some options — turns out, the hardware just couldn’t keep up anymore.

Hope this helps — it took me way too long to nail it down. It’s frustrating but worth it once everything snaps into place. Double-check your network, update software, reset network, tweak privacy settings, and re-enroll Face ID. That’s about the best shot at fixing unrecognized FS ID issues otherwise stuck in limbo. Anyway, good luck — and here’s hoping this saves someone else a weekend of head-scratching!