iPhone 18 Pro Face ID Issues Reportedly Cause Freezes and Restarts

Apple's redesigned Face ID system on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may be experiencing some unexpected problems. A number of user reports suggest that certain Face ID authentication attempts can fail, with some devices reportedly freezing and eventually restarting.

Apple has redesigned the Face ID hardware in its latest Pro models as part of its effort to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island and reclaim more screen space. The infrared camera has been moved behind the display, closer to the area where the clock appears in the status bar. While the new arrangement allows Apple to make the Face ID system more compact, some users are now reporting problems with authentication.

Face ID Failures Can Apparently Freeze the iPhone

According to reports shared on social media, some iPhone 18 Pro users are experiencing Face ID failures during specific authentication tasks. The problem appears to be particularly noticeable when attempting to unlock applications protected by Face ID.

In the reported scenario, Face ID fails to complete the authentication process, after which the iPhone may stop responding. In some cases, users say the device eventually restarts and returns to the lock screen.

It is currently unclear how widespread the problem is. The number of user reports does not establish whether this is a widespread hardware defect, a software bug affecting a particular version of iOS, or an issue that occurs only under specific circumstances.

"Face ID Not Available" Error Also Reported

Freezing is not the only Face ID-related issue being reported. Some iPhone 18 Pro owners say they have encountered a "Face ID Not Available" message while attempting to set up the biometric authentication system.

Other users have reportedly managed to activate Face ID but noticed that the "Require Attention for Face ID" setting does not always behave as expected. The security feature is designed to require the user to be looking directly at the device before Face ID completes authentication.

The reports therefore appear to involve several different behaviors rather than one clearly defined failure. Some users are unable to configure Face ID, while others encounter authentication failures or freezes during everyday use.

Could the New Face ID Hardware Be Responsible?

One of the major changes in the iPhone 18 Pro's design is the reduction and repositioning of the Face ID components. To make the Dynamic Island smaller, Apple has placed the infrared camera underneath the upper-left portion of the display.

However, there is currently no confirmed evidence directly linking the new hardware arrangement to the reported Face ID problems. It remains unclear whether the issue originates from the redesigned hardware itself or from a software problem involving the new Face ID system and iOS.

There are also reports that matte screen protectors can interfere with the new Face ID system. With some of the biometric hardware now positioned behind the display, compatibility with certain screen accessories could become more important than it was on previous iPhone generations.

A Future iOS Update Could Bring a Fix

Apple has not officially confirmed the reported Face ID problems. If the issues turn out to be software-related, however, a future iOS 27 update could potentially address them.

For now, the scope of the problem remains uncertain. More user reports and further investigation will be needed to determine whether the complaints point to an isolated software bug or a broader issue affecting the redesigned Face ID system.

Because Face ID plays a central role in both iPhone security and everyday functionality, particularly when accessing protected applications, resolving authentication failures and device freezes will be important if the reports continue to grow.