Face ID stops working after updating to iOS 26 (iPhone 16 Pro)
After updating to iOS 26, Face ID has stopped working properly on my iPhone 16 Pro. I never had any Face ID issues before this update.
Here's what I'm seeing:
- If I reboot the phone, Face ID works normally for about a day.
- At some point, usually when an app tries to use Face ID to fill in a password, Face ID suddenly stops working.
- The Face ID icon no longer appears in apps that normally support it.
- When unlocking the phone, the screen sometimes stays black longer than usual. I have to tap the screen manually to wake it, then Face ID will work only for unlocking the phone lock screen.
- After this happens, Face ID no longer works in apps or in Settings (for example, to sign in or change settings that require Face ID).
Another consistent issue:
- If an app on my computer shows a QR code that's supposed to open the corresponding app on my iPhone and start a Face ID sign‑in flow, scanning the QR code appears to "break" Face ID.
- Example: On my computer, I go to Chase's website. It shows a QR code to scan with my phone.
- I scan the QR code with my iPhone.
- The Chase app opens, but the sign‑in/approval flow with Face ID does not start (it used to start automatically before iOS 26).
- Even if I tap the Face ID button in the app, nothing happens.
- Closing and reopening the app does not fix it.
- Only a full reboot of the iPhone restores Face ID, and then it works again in apps—until the issue reappears.
Things I've tried so far:
- Rebooting (temporary fix only)
- Reseting the entire phone from within the phone itself.
- Reseting the phone using my MacBook (selecting the ipsw file.)
Is anyone else seeing this on iOS 26 with an iPhone 16 Pro?
Any known workarounds or is this likely a software bug that needs an update from Apple?
Thanks in advance.
iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26