Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID [Fixed in Minutes]

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2024-08-05

5min read

Coming with iPhone X and later versions, Face ID provides a stress-free way to bypass screen lock without interacting with your screen. Despite the convenience it brings out, there are negative reports about it and a common one is the error “Your passcode is required to enable Face ID” that pops up when a user is trying to unlock his or her screen using Face ID. Are you having a similar issue and need a guide on how to fix it? You are on the right page. This post will discuss the reasons for such an annoying issue, along with its solutions.

Overview: Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID [Reasons and Fixes]

Below, we have a chart showing the reasons why your iPhone or iPad is showing the error message “Your passcode is required to enable Face ID” and the related fixes for your quick look:

Reasons Explanation Related Fixes
Phone Reboot

This is a Apple security measure.

  • Use Screen Passcode so you can start using Face ID.
Passcode hasn’t been used in the 6 and a half days
  • Provide your Screen Passcode at least once in 6 and a half days.

Face ID hasn’t been used in the last 4 hours

  • Always use the Face ID feature to bypass screen lock at least once in 4 hours.
Unrecognized Face ID
You have tried unlocking your device using Face ID but failed five consecutive times.
  • Remove accessories from Face.
  • Position your face properly in front of the camera.
  • Ensure appropriate lighting.
  • Deactivate raise to wake.
  • Reset Face ID.  
iOS Glitch
Outdated/beta  iOS version
  • Update iOS
Dirt or Dust in TrueDepth Camera
Presence of dust or dirt on the camera of your iPhone or iPad makes your face appear blurry and unrecognized by Face ID.
  • Wipe the TrueDepth camera with a clean napkin.

How to Get Rid of “Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID”

Inputting your passcode is the best and effective way to remove the error prompt on your phone screen. Once done and the device validates your input, the screen will be unlocked and you can use your Face ID for screen unlocking next time.

How to Avoid the “Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID” Message Next Time

Should the error message still pop up the next time you want to unlock your iPhone or iPad using the Face ID, then you should implement any of the following pro tips:

Tip 1: Keep TrueDepth Camera Clean

With the aid of a clean napkin, slightly wipe the surface of your phone camera to clear dust and dirt. Once done, try unlocking your screen using Face ID. Ensure that you place your face at the center of the camera/screen in well-lit environments to avoid a repeat of the underlying issue.

Tip 2: Turn Off Raise to Wake

An iPhone or iPad with the raise to wake feature enabled on it automatically scans for Face ID with or without your notice whenever it detects a screen lift. Failure to validate your face five consecutive times would result in “Your passcode is required to enable Face ID” issue just as suggested in the chart above. To avoid that, you should turn off the raise to wake feature.

Here’s how to turn the raise to wake feature off:

  • Initiate the Settings panel launch on your iPhone or iPad.
  • Swipe down the subsequent interface and select Display & Brightness.
  • Head to the part where you have Raise to Wake and toggle the icon beside it to turn the feature off.

Turn Off Raise to Wake | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Tip 3: Set Up an Alternative Appearance

The underlying issue could possibly pop up because you appear too artificial. For instance, when you wear too much make up and try to bypass screen lock using Face ID, your iPhone or iPad may fail to recognize you. To resolve this, it’s suggested that you set up an alternative appearance for the new look via the steps below.

  • Hit the gear icon on your home screen to launch Settings.
  • Head down to Face ID & Passcode and click on the corresponding icon.
  • Provide your Screen Passcode when the prompt comes up.
  • Next, select Set Up an Alternative Appearance and continue with the onscreen guide.

Set Up an Alternative Appearance | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Tip 4: Reset Face ID

Resetting your Face ID could also be helpful in resolving the underlying issue since technical bugs could cause your device not to recognize your face and in turn request for Screen Passcode to bypass screen lock. After resetting, then you can reconfigure your Face ID. To reset Face ID:

  • Proceed to the Face ID & Passcode menu from the settings panel on your iPhone/iPad.
  • Enter your Screen Passcode as requested on the subsequent screen.
  • Next, head to where you have Reset Face ID and click on it.
  • Once Face ID reset is completed, try setting up Face ID again.

Reset Face ID | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Tip 5: Update iOS

Another handy tip to fix “Your passcode is required to enable Face ID” is to update your iOS. Implementing this solution is helpful in clearing all bugs and temporary glitches that are causing your device not to bypass screen lock via Face ID. To update your iOS, here’s the simple instructional guide you have to follow:

  • Head to the Settings app screen.
  • Scroll down to the next screen and choose General from the options shown on your display screen.
  • Click Software Update > Download and Install.

Update iOS | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Part 3. How to Bypass Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID without Passcode

If your iPhone or iPad still displays the underlying issue while trying to bypass screen lock via Face ID and you can’t remember your Screen Passcode, then you need an iOS Unlocker to help unlock the device. You can use Passixer iPhone Unlocker, an all-round software established with the sole purpose of resolving security restriction issues on iOS devices. It powers one of the smartest unlock algorithms that are capable of bypassing any kind of screen lock without your passcode or Face ID. This professional software with its comprehensive interface provides a convenient way to successfully remove screen lock from all models of iPhone and iPad without compromising the OS.

Key Features 

  • 1-click to unlock your screen without passcode or Face ID/Touch ID.
  • Ensure seamless MDM profile removal without interacting with users’ data.  
  • Boasts to offer the highest screen unlock success rate on all iOS versions and models.
  • Bypass Screen Time restrictions without passcode.

Stepwise Guide to Bypass Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID without Passcode Using Passixer

Step 1: Open Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer after installing from the official source, and select Wipe Passcode on the main interface.

Select Wipe Passcode | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

On the following screen that comes up, click Start to proceed.

Click Start | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Step 2: Connect your iPhone or iPad with the Face ID issue. Once done, Passixer will scan the iPhone or iPad and display its information on your screen. Cross-check the info to confirm its validity, then click Start afterward to download the firmware file to bypass screen lock.

Download Firmware | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Step 3: After downloading the firmware, click Next on the subsequent screen.

Input 0000 in the empty field provided on the next screen and click on Unlock. Passixer will immediately proceed with the passcode removal.

Tap Unlock | Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID

Conclusion

Entering Screen Passcode over and over again instead of using Face ID can be tiring. To avoid such, when you face the Your Passcode Required to Enable Face ID issue, we suggest that you use any of the pro tips recommended above. If the problem persists and you don’t have access to your Screen Passcode, Passixer iPhone Unlocker can help you bypass screen lock without passcode or Face ID. You should try the software out!

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