I can’t figure out how to enable Face ID to log into certain apps on my iPhone. I’ve looked through the settings but nothing seems to work, and I want to make my apps more secure without typing in passwords all the time. Can someone explain the steps or where to find this option?
Step 1: Open Settings.
Step 2: Scroll to Face ID & Passcode (Yeah, the one with your smirking face on it).
Step 3: Enter your passcode (obviously).
Step 4: Look under “Use Face ID For.” If you’re not seeing “Other Apps,” well, guess what? Those apps haven’t tapped into Apple’s Face ID magic yet.
Step 5: For apps that do support it (most banking and important ones): you need to go into those apps’ own settings. Annoying, right? Find “Login Settings” or “Biometric Login,” turn it on, and voilà — scan your face like the regal iPhone king/queen you are.
Step 6: Done. No more smashing your keyboard for passwords.
If it STILL doesn’t work, maybe the app needs updating, or you’re cursed. Reset Face ID? 不行? Time for sacrifice. Or just reinstall the app like a normal person.
Enjoy your high-tech password-free throne!
Okay, so I see @mike34 gave a decent breakdown, but let me pivot this slightly. First, if Face ID isn’t showing ‘Other Apps’ like Mike said, it could also be because you disabled Face ID for specific apps during their initial setup. Apps like banking, PayPal, Venmo, etc., usually ask you if you want to enable biometrics right after you log in with your password for the first time. If you skipped or denied it, you need to revisit those apps and trigger the Face ID setup.
Here’s a sneaky trick: on some apps (like Google ones), logging out and back in kinda forces the biometric setup screen to reappear. It’s annoying but works when app settings are inaccessible or too convoluted.
Another thing—if Face ID refuses to work even after you’ve turned it on, go to Accessibility Settings. Some features in ‘FaceID & Attention’ (like ‘Require Attention’) can mess with how Face ID functions in third-party apps. Disabling that has saved me a few headaches when apps like Facebook refused to cooperate.
Lastly, Apple might not allow Face ID for apps that store sensitive data in a way that bypasses iCloud Keychain protocols. Translation? Not all apps trust Apple’s security standards – ironic, huh? So, before bashing your iPhone on the wall, maybe check if the app has its own app-specific biometric lock but doesn’t label it as Face ID. Developers pull this silly trick sometimes.
tl;dr: Follow the app’s specific settings alongside Mike’s Face ID system steps. If still no luck, uninstall and reinstall those apps. Or write an angry review in the App Store—that’s what I’d do.
Alright, so here’s the deal with setting up Face ID for apps – no fluff, but I’m gonna approach this from a troubleshooter’s angle. Let’s address what @yozora and @mike34 brought up (thankfully, they hit some essential points), and then I’ll toss in additional insights some might miss.
Why Apps Might Mess Up with Face ID:
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Initial Denial Coma: Like @yozora said, you might’ve initially skipped enabling Face ID during app setup. Super common! Many apps will ask right after login, and if you hit ‘Not Now,’ Face ID stays in the void until manually activated.
Fix: Head back into the app’s settings to find options like ‘Enable Face ID’ or ‘Biometric Login.’ If it’s not there and logout/login doesn’t trigger it, check if the app needs an update. Older versions can be super touchy with biometric setups. -
App Permissions Blocked:
Some apps sneakily show up in Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Other Apps, but if the toggle was accidentally disabled, the app won’t prompt you for Face ID.
Check here first before assuming it’s the app’s fault! -
Region or App Design Quirks: Fun fact, certain apps either can’t or won’t utilize Face ID due to regional restrictions, data-handling concerns, or vague compatibility issues. (Yes, looking at you, stubborn banking apps!). And, no offense, @mike34—it isn’t just about updating…sometimes there’s no Face ID feature at all. Double-check their support pages before wasting an afternoon.
Bonus Sneaky Fix:
- Try Resetting the App Permissions: If all else fails (Face ID toggle ON but still not functional), delete the app, reinstall, and grant permissions fresh. Annoying? Absolutely. Effective? Almost 99%. Logging back in forces the app to recheck Face ID compatibility.
Pros/Cons of Using Face ID:
- Pros: Fast, secure (well, unless your evil twin is plotting against you), and eliminates password fatigue.
- Cons: Might not work well in low-light environments without ‘Require Attention’ turned off (Settings > Accessibility > Face ID & Attention)—though disabling that decreases security slightly. Plus, not all apps support it, so you’re halfway reliant on developers caring.
Rival Opinions?
@yozora nailed the Accessibility factor (turn off ‘Require Attention’ if you’re having repeated failures). However, their suggestion about logging out to trigger Face ID setup again is imperfect—it works maybe 65% of the time depending on the app.
Meanwhile, @mike34’s step-by-step method is solid, but was missing nuances like app-specific biometric permissions and lazy devs bypassing Apple’s ecosystem.
TLDR: Tinker with app settings first, ensure toggles are ON under system Face ID settings, disable ‘Require Attention’ (if frustration mounts), and if failure persists…delete/reinstall or curse quietly. ‘Simple,’ right?