Top 6 Ways to Fix Face ID Not Working With App Store

I think security isn’t the biggest benefit of Apple’s Face ID biometric authentication. For me, it’s the convenience of using it. Instead of typing in passcodes and passwords, a facial scan (which occurs in microseconds) gets the job done. But like other forms of biometric authentication, Face ID also has its moments of failure.

Although Face ID is enabled, some users cannot authenticate downloads from the App Store using Face ID. They are required to enter their Apple ID passwords for every purchase from the App Store. If you fall into this category, refer to the solutions below to restore Face ID authentication to your device’s App Store.

1. Change face ID settings

If your device does not initiate facial authentication for downloads or purchases from the App Store, try disabling Face ID for iTunes and App Store in your device settings and re-enable the option. It worked magic for many affected iPhone and iPad users. Close the App Store and follow the steps below to do so.

Step 1: Launch the Settings menu and select “Face ID & Passcode”.

You will be prompted to enter your device’s passcode to continue.

2nd step: Then turn off the ‘iTunes and App Store’ option and turn it back on after a few seconds.

This time, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID password to re-enable Face ID for the App Store and other supported apps on your device. Relaunch the App Store and see if you can now authenticate app downloads using Face ID.

2. Restart the device

Yes, something as simple as restarting your device (iPhone / iPad) can fix this problem as well. A good number of iPhone users have testified to its effectiveness in making Face ID work with the App Store again. Turn off your device, turn it back on and see if that helps.

3. Sign out of Apple ID

This is another effective method that works. However, even though disconnecting Apple ID (and reconnecting, of course) will fix this Face ID issue, you may not be able to use some Apple services like iCloud storage, Apple Music, etc. You might also lose some downloaded files and documents permanently. Read this guide to learn more about what happens when you sign out of Apple ID on your iPhone / iPad.

Launch your device’s Settings menu, tap your Apple ID name, and then tap Sign Out on the page button to sign out of Apple ID.

4. Change the side button settings

If your device is set to ask for a password after double-tapping the side button while downloading the app, you won’t use Face ID enabled to authenticate App Store purchases. Make sure to turn off password usage in the iPhone / iPad side button menu. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Launch the Settings menu and select Accessibility.

2nd step: Select the side button in the “Physics and Engine” section.

Make sure that the “Use passcode for payments” option is disabled or disabled.

If it’s already off, you can turn it on and off.

5. Reset Face ID

If all of the above troubleshooting methods are not successful, try resetting your device’s Face ID. That means removing Face ID and setting it up from scratch. It helps in solving many other Face ID related issues.

Step 1: Launch Settings and select “Face ID & Passcode”.

You will be prompted to enter your device’s passcode to access the Face ID menu.

2nd step: Tap “Reset Face ID.”

This will immediately delete your face from your device’s memory.

Step 3: Now tap on “ Set up Face ID ” to scan and register your face for Face ID unlocking.

Next, make sure the option to use Face ID for “iTunes and App Store” is enabled.

6. Update iOS

Apple releases iOS versions that partially, and sometimes totally, ruin the usability of Face ID. Fortunately, these bugs usually don’t persist for long; micro-updates are regularly released to resolve these issues. We have come across many iPhone and iPad users who could fix Face ID not working issue on App Store by simply updating their device’s OS. You should do the same if no other solution works.

Go to Settings> General> Software Update and tap “Download & Install”.

Note: Downloading and installing the iOS update requires a Wi-Fi connection.

Easy to do

Convenience and safety must go hand in hand. Typing passwords for trivial things like installing apps can be very stressful, especially with long passwords. Facial ID authentication is convenient, but it also has its problems. So the next time you can’t use Face ID with the App Store, the solutions in this guide will fix it easily. You can learn more about using Face ID to sign in to apps, automatically enter passwords, and make payments in Apple’s official guide.