How to Temporarily Disable Face ID on iPhone

Face ID on iPhone is convenient, but there are times you need to quickly stop it from working—like when someone else is holding your phone, when you’re in a crowd, or when you’re about to hand the device to a child. This guide shows you the fastest ways to temporarily disable Face ID, including the emergency method that works even without unlocking the screen. You don’t need any special tools or settings beforehand; just follow the steps below.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X or later, excluding iPhone SE models).
• Your device passcode (required for the settings method).
• Physical access to the side buttons (for the emergency method).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Emergency SOS (Fastest, Works from Lock Screen)

1. Press and hold the side button (right side) and either volume button simultaneously.
2. Keep holding for about 2 seconds until the Emergency SOS slider appears (along with the Medical ID and Emergency contacts).
3. Release the buttons. Do not swipe the slider. Simply wait a moment or press the side button again to cancel the countdown (if your region uses a countdown).
4. Face ID is now disabled until you enter your passcode. The next time you wake the screen, you’ll see “Enter Passcodeâ€� instead of the Face ID prompt.

Method 2: Settings (Permanent Until You Re-enable)

1. Unlock your iPhone and open Settings.
2. Tap Face ID & Passcode.
3. Enter your device passcode when prompted.
4. Toggle off iPhone Unlock (or any other features like iTunes & App Store, Wallet, etc.) to disable Face ID for those specific actions. To disable it entirely, toggle off all options.
5. To re-enable, simply toggle them back on. You may need to re-enter your passcode to confirm.

Method 3: Restart Your iPhone (Quick but Requires Passcode)

1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
3. After it’s off, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
4. After restart, Face ID is disabled until you enter your passcode once.

Common Mistakes

• Holding the buttons too briefly for Emergency SOS—if you release before the slider appears, nothing happens. Hold for a full 2 seconds.
• Accidentally triggering the SOS countdown—in some regions, holding longer will start a countdown and call emergency services. If you see a countdown, cancel it immediately by tapping “Cancelâ€� or pressing the side button again.
• Forgetting that the Settings toggle disables Face ID for all uses—if you only turn off “iPhone Unlock,â€� Face ID may still work for App Store purchases or password autofill. To disable completely, turn off all toggles.
• Assuming the restart method is temporary—it is, but only until you unlock once. After that, Face ID works again.

Tips

• Use the Emergency SOS method when you need to quickly prevent Face ID from unlocking while you’re still holding the phone—it’s the fastest and doesn’t require any navigation.
• If you’re handing your phone to a child, consider using Guided Access (Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access) instead, which restricts the phone to one app and disables Face ID for that session.
• Remember that after any of these methods, you’ll need to enter your passcode the next time you unlock. If you forget your passcode, you’ll be locked out, so keep it handy.
• If you’re in a situation where you don’t want Face ID to work at all (e.g., traveling), you can also turn off Face ID entirely in Settings and rely on your passcode.

Troubleshooting

• Face ID still works after Emergency SOS: Make sure you actually saw the Emergency SOS slider. If not, try holding longer. Also, if you have an iPhone with Face ID and the side button, ensure you’re pressing the side button, not the volume buttons.
• Settings toggle is grayed out: This usually means you have a restriction enabled (e.g., Screen Time). Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and check if “Face IDâ€� is blocked.
• After restart, Face ID still prompts: That’s normal—it will prompt you to enter your passcode first, then it will work again. If you want it to stay off, use the Settings method.
• Emergency SOS accidentally calls emergency services: If you trigger the countdown, immediately tap “Cancelâ€� or press the side button again. If a call goes through, stay on the line and explain it was accidental—do not hang up.
• Face ID not re-enabling after toggling back on: Try restarting your iPhone. If that fails, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and reset Face ID (enter passcode, then tap “Reset Face IDâ€�). You’ll need to set up Face ID again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling Face ID via Emergency SOS also disable Apple Pay?

Yes, it disables Face ID for all uses, including Apple Pay, App Store purchases, and password autofill, until you enter your passcode.

How long does the Emergency SOS disable last?

It lasts until you enter your passcode the next time you unlock. After that, Face ID is re-enabled automatically.

Can I disable Face ID without a passcode?

No, you always need your passcode to re-enable Face ID or to unlock after disabling it. If you forget your passcode, you’ll need to restore your iPhone via computer.

Will disabling Face ID affect my Face ID setup?

No, it only temporarily disables the feature. Your facial data remains stored, and Face ID will work again once you unlock with your passcode or re-enable it in Settings.

Is there a way to quickly disable Face ID for just one app?

Not directly. You can use Screen Time restrictions to require a passcode for specific apps, but that’s not the same as disabling Face ID. For a single app, consider Guided Access.

Does the restart method work on all iPhones with Face ID?

Yes, restarting any iPhone with Face ID will require a passcode on the first unlock after boot. This is a security feature built into iOS.

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