Face ID with Mask and Glasses: iPhone Setup Guide

If you wear glasses and a face mask, Face ID on your iPhone can still unlock your phone quickly and securely. This guide walks you through setting up Face ID to recognize you with a mask, and then adding an appearance with glasses so it works reliably every time. You’ll need an iPhone with Face ID (iPhone 12 or later) running iOS 15.4 or newer.

What You’ll Need

iPhone with Face ID (iPhone 12 or later)
iOS 15.4 or later installed
Your face mask (any type that covers your nose and mouth)
Your glasses (the same pair you’ll wear with the mask)

Step-by-Step

Update your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Face ID with a mask requires iOS 15.4 or later.
Open Face ID settings. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
Enable “Face ID with a Mask.” Toggle on Face ID with a Mask. If you already have Face ID set up, you’ll be asked to set it up again. Follow the on-screen prompts to scan your face without a mask, as usual.
Add glasses appearance. After enabling the mask option, tap Add Glasses (or Set Up Glasses). This lets you register a second appearance specifically for when you wear glasses with a mask.
Put on your glasses and mask. Wear the glasses and mask you plan to use. The mask should cover your nose and mouth, and your glasses should be in their normal position.
Scan your face with mask and glasses. Position your face within the camera frame and slowly move your head in a circle, just like the initial Face ID setup. Make sure your eyes are open and unobstructed.
Complete the setup. Once the scan finishes, tap Done. Your iPhone will now recognize you when you’re wearing that specific combination of mask and glasses.
Test it. Lock your iPhone (press the side button) and then try to unlock it while wearing the mask and glasses. If it doesn’t work on the first try, look directly at the camera and ensure the mask isn’t too high.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the glasses setup. If you only enable “Face ID with a Mask” but don’t add a glasses appearance, Face ID may still fail when you wear glasses with a mask. Always add a separate appearance for your glasses.
Wearing different glasses. The glasses appearance is tied to the specific pair you scanned with. If you switch to a different pair, Face ID may not recognize you. You can add multiple glasses appearances (up to four) in the same settings.
Mask covering your eyes. Ensure the mask doesn’t ride up and cover your eyes or the bridge of your nose too high. Face ID needs to see your eyes and the area around them clearly.
Not updating iOS. If you don’t have iOS 15.4 or later, the mask option won’t appear. Check for updates first.
Holding the phone too far or too close. Keep your iPhone at arm’s length (about 10-20 inches from your face) during setup and unlock attempts.

Tips

Add multiple glasses. If you rotate between several pairs, add each one as a separate appearance. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Add Glasses and repeat the scan for each pair.
Use “Require Attention” wisely. If you often wear sunglasses or have your eyes partially covered, you can turn off Require Attention for Face ID in the same settings. This makes Face ID less strict about eye contact, but it also makes it slightly less secure.
Keep your mask consistent. Face ID is trained on your face with a mask, but the exact mask type (cloth, surgical, N95) can affect recognition. If you switch mask types frequently, consider scanning with a mask that covers a similar area.
Re-scan if you change your look. If you grow a beard, change hairstyle dramatically, or start wearing a different style of glasses, re-add your appearance for best results.
Use the passcode as a backup. Even with Face ID, you’ll occasionally need to enter your passcode (e.g., after restarting your iPhone). Always remember it.

Troubleshooting

Face ID doesn’t work with mask and glasses after setup. First, make sure you’re looking directly at the camera and the top of your face is clearly visible. If that fails, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Reset Face ID. Then set up Face ID again, this time following the steps carefully and ensuring good lighting.

The “Add Glasses” option is missing. This option only appears after you enable “Face ID with a Mask.” If you don’t see it, check that your iPhone supports the feature (iPhone 12 or later) and that you’ve updated to iOS 15.4 or later.

Face ID works without glasses but not with them. This usually means the glasses appearance wasn’t added correctly. Re-do the glasses setup, making sure your glasses are clean and not reflecting too much light. Also, if you’ve changed to a different pair, add a new appearance for that pair.

Face ID fails intermittently with mask. Try adjusting the mask so it sits lower on your nose, allowing more of your face to be visible. Also, ensure your iPhone’s camera lens is clean. If you’re in bright sunlight or very dim light, Face ID may struggle; move to a more even lighting.

Still not working? Restart your iPhone (press and hold side button and either volume button, then slide to power off). After restart, try again. If it still fails, reset Face ID and set it up from scratch, making sure to follow the on-screen instructions exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Face ID with a mask work with any type of mask?

Yes, but the mask must cover your nose and mouth. Face ID uses the unique features around your eyes to recognize you, so as long as your eyes are visible, it should work. However, masks that cover more of your face (like a niqab) may not work.

Can I use Face ID with sunglasses?

Yes, if you have “Face ID with a Mask” enabled, you can add an appearance with sunglasses. However, Face ID may have difficulty if the sunglasses are very dark or reflective. If you have Require Attention enabled, you’ll need to look at the phone, which can be tricky with sunglasses.

How many glasses appearances can I add?

You can add up to four glasses appearances. This allows you to register different pairs of glasses or even sunglasses.

Will Face ID work if I switch between glasses and contact lenses?

Yes. Your primary Face ID scan (without a mask) should recognize you with or without glasses. The glasses appearances are specifically for when you wear a mask and glasses together. If you wear contacts with a mask, the standard mask-enabled Face ID should work.

Is Face ID with a mask less secure?

Apple states that Face ID with a mask is less secure than full-face Face ID because it only scans the upper half of your face. However, it still uses the same TrueDepth camera system and is secure enough for most users. If you’re concerned, you can disable the mask feature and rely on passcode when wearing a mask.

What if I don’t wear glasses but I wear a mask?

You don’t need to add a glasses appearance. Just enable “Face ID with a Mask” and scan your face without glasses. The mask option works on its own.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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