The iPhone locks the phone after the Face ID is mismatched five times. iOS has strict security policies and locks the device when the owner fails five times. Of course, you can remove the pattern in the iPhone 15 series and register a new one.
Incorrect Settings:
Apple gave control over what services use the biometric unlock feature. One incorrect setting can alter the course of the iPhone’s security features. You can disable/enable biometric services for third-party apps. Let’s look into the settings and find out what’s preventing the device from unlocking.
Accessories:
Many accessories are available online for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. Many polls have proved that 89% of iPhone owners apply screen protectors, cases, and covers. Remove cases and covers from the device. Of course, you can’t remove the screen protectors because they come at a price in different parts of the world.
Wrong Orientation:
The smartphone sensor follows a pattern and holds the iPhone in portrait mode. Put your smartphone in the portrait direction. Of course, you know what to do next and unlock the device easily.
Dust Particles:
Dust is the natural enemy of electronic products like computers, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. Inspect your phone and find the dust particles on the surface. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are new devices, and the dust won’t accumulate inside the board. Many construction workers and teams accumulate dust in a short time when compared to the average user.
Hardware Failure:
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus houses high-quality components. Apple ensured the use of quality materials for the construction. Many Apple devices return to the store after a few days of purchase due to defects. The Cupertino-based company issues a replacement if the device is under warranty—head straight to the authorized service center.
How to Fix If iPhone 15 / 15 Plus Face ID is Not Working
I have come across third-party tools promising to resolve the Face ID challenges. Avoid those tools because they can breach security and violate privacy. Reach the Apple store to claim the replacement if none of the solutions resolve the Face ID problems.
Restart iPhone
iOS 16 mobile operating system seems flawless when compared to the competitors. I believe that iOS is much more optimized than Ubuntu Touch and Android. The Apple mobile software has bugs, glitches, and shortcomings. You can resolve the issues temporarily by restarting the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus model.
1. Press and hold the Side button for three seconds.
2. Release the button when the power slider appears on the screen.
3. Drag the slider to the right side.
4. Let the phone turn off.
Give a minimum of two minutes before you turn on the iPhone 15. Apple forgot to add the restart option in the menu. You can add the restart option in the virtual button, but it’s unnatural. Nonetheless, the iPhone 15 series will dump the previous session’s temp data and restart the services.
Clean Face ID Sensor
Remove cases or covers on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus devices. You can keep the tamper glass protector. Inspect the device for damages around the front camera and sensors. As I have said earlier, dust can create problems for the sensor to detect the face.
1. Pick up a microfiber cloth.
2. Clean the display and sensors gently.
3. Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the smudges and hard marks.
4. Rinse the area using the isopropyl alcohol.
I don’t recommend that iPhone 15 and 15 Plus users apply the liquid. Millions of electronic products reach landfills due to liquid damages.
Restart Face ID
The Face ID feature has glitches in the system. You can resolve the issue by temporarily turning off the biometric option. Let me show you how you can turn off and turn on the Face ID feature.
1. Open the “Settings” app from the Home Screen.
2. Swipe down.
3. Tap on the “Face ID & Passcode” to view more options.
4. Review the settings.
iPhone Unlock
iTunes & App Store
Wallet & Apple Pay
Password AutoFill
Other Apps (numbers)
Enable the apps for biometric confirmation to access the services.
5. Turn off all of them. Please don’t remove the Passcode from the device because you need it.
6. Close the Settings app.
Enable all options in the Face ID & Passcode.
Add Alternative Face
The human species has evolved over a million years. Our faces have different shapes, colors, and features, which poses a challenge for the iPhone sensors. My face structure is unique on both halves. Add an alternative face in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models. Help the iPhone to unlock the smartphone faster.
1. Open the “Settings” app from the Home Screen.
2. Swipe down.
3. Tap the “Face ID & Passcode” to view more options.
4. Enter the Passcode.
5. Tap the “Set Up an Alternate Appearance” option.
6. Set up an alternative face.
You are helping the iPhone to recognize you from a different angle. Your smartphone will look for an alternative face while unlocking the device.
Disable Attention Aware Feature
Many iPhone users shared that disabling the Attention Aware feature helped resolve the Face ID issue.
1. Open the “Settings” app from the Home Screen.
2. Swipe down.
3. Tap on the “Face ID & Passcode” to view more options.
4. Enter the Passcode.
5. Swipe down.
6. Disable the “Attention Aware” feature.
Close the settings and turn off the phone. Give the device a minute, then turn on the device using the Side button.
Reset iPhone 15 or 15 Plus Settings
Use Windows or macOS machine to back up the iPhone data. Use iCloud storage for backup, but I choose the local storage option as a precaution. Reset the iPhone 15 / 15 Plus and resolve the software-related issues. All incorrect settings will wash away along with the software. Charge your device up to 95% and avoid problems.
1. Open the “Settings” app from the Home Screen.
2. Swipe down.
3. Tap on the “General” to view more options.
4. Swipe down.
5. Tap on the “Reset” option.
6. Choose the “Reset All Settings” option.
7. Enter the passcode.
8. Tap on the “Reset All Settings” option.
Leave the device on the table and give it five minutes. The smartphone will greet you at the Lock Screen and access the Home Screen. Customize the device as per your taste.
Bottom Line
The iOS 16 is the pre-installed software in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. I’m careful when suggesting that iPhone owners update the software. I recommend that readers go through the news and review videos online. Find out how the latest iOS update impacts newer and older models. One update can fix the existing known problems and invite new ones. Read the iOS update patch notes to find Face ID points. Let us know how you solved the fixed iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Face ID problems.
