Face ID not available? Here’s what you need to do!
You’ve just got fat fingers when you want to unlock your iPhone, or maybe you’re wearing gloves against that freezing cold? For those situations, Face ID is ideal! But now, unexpectedly, you suddenly get a message, “Face ID not available. Super annoying! Specialists see it more common, which is why we cover the following topics:
- How come my Face ID is not available?
- Face ID broken after contact with water
- Face ID no longer works after replacing screen
- Roadmap to make Face ID available again
- Face ID repair options
How come my Face ID is not available?
You get the message “Face ID not available” when the motherboard cannot connect to the Face ID sensor (TrueDepth camera). This can have several causes:
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Front or back glass damage or cracks. Even a small crack at the sensor module can permanently damage the Face ID.
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Dust buildup or moisture under the screen, preventing the device from being fully waterproof and causing the sensor to malfunction. (In older models such as the iPhone X and XS, this is more common; newer Face ID modules are slightly better sealed.) Is this the case with you? If so, having your iPhone cleaned is a much faster and cheaper option than replacing actual parts.
A buildup of dust in the device can prevent the motherboard from connecting to Face ID.
Face ID broken after contact with water
These days, most iPhones are officially waterproof, but that doesn’t mean they are fully protected from moisture. In fact, after a drop or bump, the seal around the screen or ear speaker can be damaged, allowing water to still enter. Water damage on this cable can cause the iPhone to enter a bootloop. The only solution in this case is a repair. If you want to know more about water damage in your iPhone and what the effects are, read; The 4 step plan for when your iPhone has been dropped in water.
Face ID no longer works after replacing screen
Your iPhone just underwent a screen repair, and now Face ID is unavailable. That sucks big time. The Face ID cable is attached to the screen and must be transferred to the new screen when repairing with a non-original Apple screen, while transferring the cable may be damaged.
If this is the case after a repair at ThePhoneLab, we will always take a look at it free of charge.
Roadmap to make Face ID available again
There are a few things you can try before proceeding with a repair (when your iPhone has no other visible damage).
- Check that you have the latest version of iOS installed. Go to Settings ▸ General ▸ Software update.(iPhone update fails?)
- Be careful not to (partially) cover your face. Face ID does not work when the eyes, mouth or nose are covered.
- Make sure the TrueDepth camera is not covered. Some screen protectors can cause Face ID to not work as well. Also check that the TrueDepth camera is not dirty and clean it with a microfiber cloth.
- Looking closely into the TrueDepth camera (top of the iPhone screen), hold the iPhone straight up and make sure it is within an arm’s length of the face (25-50 cm).
- Restart your iPhone
- Reset the Face ID. Go to Settings ▸ Face ID and access code ▸ Enter access code ▸ Reset Face ID ▸ Follow the on-screen steps.
Face ID repair options
A Face ID repair is complex because this is a motherboard repair. One of our specialists can only get your Face ID working again through a motherboard repair. We operate a no cure, no pay principle. If we can’t fix your Face ID, you don’t have to pay anything. Check out the price of a motherboard repair for your iPhone here.
Omdat
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What does it mean when I see the message "Unknown part" or "Face ID part history"?
That message means the TrueDepth module has been replaced or is not recognized by Apple. Face ID then usually stops working until a motherboard repair is performed.
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Can an iOS update cause or fix the Face ID error?
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What does it mean when Face ID sometimes works and sometimes doesn't?
Make an appointment for a free diagnosis
Unfortunately, did the above steps not help you with your problem: Face ID not available? We then recommend going to a professional repair shop (for example, ThePhoneLab – check here for a branch near you). At ThePhoneLab, we always do a free diagnostic first. After this, you are not required to proceed to repair, but of course you can. Make your appointment here:
