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Face ID Not Working After iPhone Screen Replacement
Face ID stopped after a screen replacement on your iPhone and you need it back fast. At Phone Expert, our repair experts diagnose the TrueDepth camera path, explain options, and guide the next step so Face ID can still work where possible. Book a quick check and we’ll confirm the issue before any spend.
What Face ID is and why it fails after working on your iPhone
Face ID is Apple’s facial authentication introduced with the iPhone X that uses a TrueDepth camera to map an image of your face. The infrared and dot projector pair with an infrared camera and other sensor parts to project a pattern onto your face and match it securely. If the chain breaks, face id will not work.
After a screen replacement, Face ID may stop working if the original face id module or tiny flex cables were damaged, or if parts pairing was lost. Apple’s TrueDepth camera links to the logic board, so swapping certain parts can cause Face ID problems even when the new screen looks perfect. That’s why important face id checks happen before and after any repair is done.
How Face ID functions
- Dot projector projects thousands of points projected onto your face.
- Infrared camera reads the pattern detected with the TrueDepth camera.
- Face ID function compares a new face map to secure data to unlock.
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Quick checks and Face ID settings to try before a return
Face ID may fail simply due to setup or masking. First, check your Face ID settings and remove anything covering the TrueDepth camera such as a thick screen protector. Then try setting up Face ID again if the room is bright and nothing is covering the lens.
On your iPhone, open Settings and tap Face ID. If Face ID has been disabled by the system, you may see alerts. Activate Face ID again, set up Face ID carefully, or tap Reset Face ID to start fresh. If you’re trying to use Face ID with sunglasses, test without them.
Steps that often help
- Clean the front camera glass and the area used for Face ID.
- Check “Face ID & Passcode,” then tap reset face id if prompted.
- Try “Set Up an Alternate Appearance” to make face id work more reliably.
If Face ID isn’t working after these steps, note any message like “iPhone TrueDepth camera not working.” That can point to a hardware path rather than software.
Damage vs parts pairing after replacing the screen
When the screen is replaced, tiny flexes near the face id module can be strained, which might stop working later. In some cases, id not working after screen appears because the truedepth module was moved or the connector isn’t seated.
Apple’s TrueDepth camera and certain sensor pairs are calibrated at the factory. Moving them between devices can cause face id to unlock to fail, and Face ID can be disabled until an Apple-authorised service provider recalibrates. Independent shops can fix Face ID issues related to seating, screws, or shielding, but paired parts remain a limit.
Common causes after a new screen
- Pinched sensor cable causing face id stopped working after bumps.
- Misaligned earpiece assembly that can cause face id issue lags.
- Dust covering the truedepth camera system window.
If you see “face id has been disabled,” software resets rarely help; hardware inspection is needed.
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Model notes from iPhone X through iPhone 13 and iPhone 12
Each model places components slightly differently, so face id may behave uniquely. On iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, the earpiece assembly hosts parts used for face id; damage here can cause Face ID to stop working. On iPhone 13, shielding is tighter, so a nicked sensor line may not show until later.
The iPhone’s TrueDepth camera system is delicate. Apple’s truedepth camera pairing means the wrong swap can cause Face ID to stop working due to security. If Face ID is not working on older units like iPhone X, tolerance is lower and a knock can shift alignment.
Quick model cues
- iPhone screen modules vary; treat each face id hardware ribbon gently.
- A new screen should not touch the dot projector path.
- Some iPhone higher models are stricter with pairing.
Ways to fix at a repair shop or with Apple
There are ways to fix Face ID depending on the fault. In-store, we reseat the face id module, inspect each sensor, and test with diagnostics. If the truedepth camera not working problem is tied to paired parts, we refer you to an Apple-authorised service provider.
At a repair shop, we also check for dust covering the TrueDepth camera, verify the infrared path with a tester, and confirm cables. If logs show pairing errors, face id can be disabled until Apple runs calibration. We’ll explain costs and when to escalate.
Repair pathway
- Reseat connectors and check dot projector alignment.
- Inspect infrared and ir camera windows for debris.
- If pairing fault persists, escalate to Apple for calibration.
If you need to fix Face ID urgently, we can help you use Face ID alternatives while we assess.
When this may not be the right fit
Sometimes independent screen repairs cannot restore the face id function because paired parts were changed. If policy requires an Apple-authorised service provider, a third-party fix may not bring Face ID back.
If data is mission critical or compliance is strict, consider pausing further work and booking with Apple first. That avoids repeated labour if face id may be permanently linked to logic board data.
Consider instead
- Book Apple for calibration when messages cite pairing.
- Keep passcode-only until assessment is complete.
- Avoid more openings that might stop working parts again.
How to judge if you need this now or later
Act now if Face ID is disabled immediately after screen repairs, or if messages mention the truedepth camera system. If the phone unlocks by passcode and you can wait, try resets first.
Do this first: backup your iPhone to iCloud, then try setting up Face ID again. If those steps work, great. If not, bring the invoice showing the screen is replaced, plus any note that face id was working before service, so we can compare.
Decision cues
- You see “face id not working” after screen replaced.
- You rely on face id to unlock for payments daily.
- You need to use face id on your iPhone for work apps.
Where this connects to screen repairs and next steps
This issue often sits between the screen repairs and the security hardware. We bridge that gap: identify whether the fault is seating, a sensor, the dot projector, or a pairing limit.
Next steps are simple. Book a check, we run diagnostics, and if calibration is needed we prepare notes for Apple. When the repair is done, we help you set up Face ID and test that Face ID still works on-site.
What we’ll do
- Verify messages and check your face id settings.
- Run non-invasive tests and try “tap reset face id.”
- If needed, guide you to an Apple-authorised service provider.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The path used for Face ID is delicate. A misseated connector, dust, or a damaged sensor can cause Face ID stopped working alerts. Paired parts also mean some swaps require Apple calibration.
Usually yes, but a thick protector covering the truedepth camera can block the infrared. Remove it and try setting up Face ID again to test.
Warnings like “face id has been disabled” or “iPhone truedepth camera not working” suggest hardware or pairing. Software resets may not fix these.
Go to Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode, then tap Reset Face ID. After that, set up Face ID from scratch and try a fresh scan.
If it’s working after repair then fails, vibration may loosen a connector and it might stop working again. Return for reseating and inspection.
Quick checklist to fix Face ID after a new screen
- Check your Face ID settings, then activate face id and try setting up Face ID.
- Clean the glass over the front camera and truedepth camera system.
- Ensure nothing is covering the truedepth camera window.
- Note any pairing messages; these cause face id to be disabled.
- Visit Phone Expert; if pairing is the cause, we refer to Apple.
Good to know
- The face id module and truedepth module are paired to logic board.
- Some faults are only resolved by Apple-authorised service provider calibration.
- You can use face id alternatives: passcode or another iPhone temporarily.
Model checklist and terms at a glance
- iPhone or iPad and iphone or ipad pro both support Face ID on certain models.
- Use Face ID to unlock, or passcode if face id isn’t working or faceid not working appears.
- Messages can say face id disabled; that can mean paired parts.
- Try trying to use Face ID after you reset your face id and set up face id again.
- If id was working and then failed, logs help us trace cause face id failures.
Technical bits
- Apple’s TrueDepth camera uses an infrared camera and dot projector used for face id mapping.
- The iPhone’s truedepth camera system is sensitive; face id may stop working after impacts.
- Face ID can be disabled by the system if tamper is detected with the truedepth camera to stop working.
Before you visit
- Bring proof of screen replacement, note if id was working right after.
- Tell us if you backed up iPhone to iCloud.
- We’ll explain face id repair options and ways to fix based on findings.
Ready to get Face ID back?
Book screen repairs with Phone Expert and we’ll assess, explain, and help get face id back as quickly as possible.
