Apple’s latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, have begun reaching customers, but a number of early users are encountering critical problems with the devices’ Face ID authentication system. Reports detail instances where Face ID fails to recognize users, leading to device freezes and unexpected reboots to the lock screen.
Authentication Failures and System Instability
The reported issues are varied, suggesting a potentially complex problem. Some users have experienced Face ID failures while attempting to unlock apps, causing the iPhone 18 Pro to become unresponsive before restarting. Other complaints, as cited by MacRumors and 9to5Mac from Reddit and forum posts, include users receiving a “Face ID is Not Available” alert during initial setup. Additionally, some users note that the “Require Attention for Face ID” setting does not consistently function even when enabled.
These authentication glitches are not isolated to a single scenario, appearing during different interactions with the device. While the full extent of the problem remains unclear, and it does not appear to affect all iPhone 18 Pro users, the growing number of complaints is raising questions about the stability of Apple's newest Pro models.
Hardware Changes Under Scrutiny
Speculation suggests a possible link between the reported issues and a significant hardware redesign in the iPhone 18 Pro models. Apple reportedly relocated the infrared camera, a key component of Face ID, beneath the display towards the top-left corner. This change was implemented to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island.
It is currently unknown whether this hardware modification is directly responsible for the authentication problems. The issues could also stem from software bugs, with MacRumors noting that Apple might address these Face ID-related glitches in a future iOS 27 update.
Uncertain Extent and Potential Fixes
For users experiencing these difficulties, there is currently no official confirmation from Apple regarding the cause or a timeline for a fix. The issues appear to be limited to a subset of users, making the overall prevalence of the problem difficult to assess. Users are advised to monitor for official statements or potential software updates from Apple that could resolve these critical security and usability concerns on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.