How to Use Face ID on iPhone and iPad Pro (Ultimate Guide)

Wondering about how to use Face ID on your iPhone or iPad Pro? See this guide to learn how to set up Face ID and use it for various needs.
How to Use Face ID on iPhone and iPad Pro

It’s advisable to use Face ID on your iPhone and iPad Pro because it’s a smart, fast, and highly secure way of unlocking your device. According to Apple, there is only a one in a million chance of someone else being able to unlock your Face ID. Moreover, it can also ease a few other tasks, such as paying for purchases and automatically filling up passwords. The best part is that all these settings are customizable to your needs, so let’s learn about it.

iPhone and iPad That Support Face ID

iPhones That Have Face ID Support:

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X

iPad That Have Face ID Support:

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch

How to Set Up Face ID on iPhone and iPad Pro

If you have not enabled Face ID while setting up your iPhone for the first time, here is how to activate it from the Settings app.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad Pro
  2. Scroll down and tap on Face ID & Passcode.
  3. Enter your iPhone passcode, if asked.Open Settings and Tap on Face ID & Passcode on iPhone
  4. Tap on Set Up Face ID. Read the short tutorial and tap Get Started.
  5. Next, position your face within the frame.Tap on Set Up Face ID and Then Tap on Get Started
  6. Now, move your head slowly to complete the circle.Move Your Head to Complete the Circle
    If you can not move your head, please tap on Accessibility Options and Use Partial Circle.Tap on Accessibility Options and Then Tap Use Partial Circle
  7. Tap Continue. Now, move your head slowly to complete the second and final scan. Finally, tap Done.Set Up Face ID on iPhone

You have successfully set up Face ID on your device.

How to Use Face ID on iPhone and iPad Pro

You can use Face ID for various purposes like unlocking your device, App Store purchases, app sign in, and password autofill. Let me briefly take you through all these.

How to Unlock Your iPhone or iPad Pro with Face ID

Face ID only starts to scan the face when the lock screen is lit. You can use Raise to Wake (best option), tap the screen, or press the right side button to wake your iPhone or iPad.

After that, the device automatically swiftly unlocks your device. The lock icon above the time will show the lock/unlock status. Finally, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to enter your iPhone.

Note: On the iPhone, Face ID works best only in portrait orientation. However, on the iPad, you can use Face ID in either portrait or landscape orientation.

How to Use Face ID with Apple Pay?

Face ID has integration with Apple Pay. This lets you pay securely using Apple Pay and authenticate the payment conveniently with Face ID. If interested, know more about this.

Use Face ID to Make App Store Purchases and More

Just like Touch ID, you can use Face ID on your iPhone or iPad Pro to download free apps for the first time or buy apps, media, etc. The process is effortless and secure. To explain this adequately with step-by-step pictures, please head over to our guide on how to purchase apps on iPhone using Face ID.

Use Face ID to Sign in to Apps and Autofill Passwords in Safari

Some apps let you sign in using Face ID. Secondly, if you have set up iCloud Keychain on your iPhone, you can also autofill usernames and passwords after Face ID authentication. This keeps the login credentials safe.

How to Manage Face ID Use with Third-Party Apps

Third-party apps like WhatsApp, password managers, and more let you put a lock on them using Face ID. This ensures that without authentication, anybody except you can not get inside that app, even if you have unlocked your iPhone and handed over to them for a brief period. You will find the settings for Face ID integration for third-party apps in the apps’ security or privacy settings. From there, you can enable or disable Face ID lock.

Signing off…

This is how you can set up and use Face ID on your compatible iPhone or iPad. But that is not all. Face ID has more tricks up its sleeves. For example, you can add a second person’s face to Face ID. The second person can be your wife, parents, or somebody close whom you trust. You can also unlock Face ID when wearing a mask. Finally, if you decide that Face ID is not for you, it is easy to turn it off or reset Face ID to reconfigure it.

What do you think about this amazing technology? Let us know in the comments below.

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Author Profile

I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.

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