Apple faces ongoing Face ID issues amid iPadOS 27 beta delays and user concerns

As Apple delays the official launch of iPadOS 27, users continue to troubleshoot persistent Face ID problems, highlighting challenges with beta software, hardware obstructions, and repair restrictions.

As of Monday, 7 September 2026, Apple is still describing iPadOS 27 as software “coming this fall”, while the Apple Beta Software Program is offering it as pre-release software and Apple Developer lists iPadOS 27 beta 8 as the latest build, dated 31 August 2026. That matters because it changes the frame of the problem: there is no evidence yet of a broad Face ID failure in a fully shipped iPadOS 27 release, only the possibility of bugs in beta software or faults that happened to show up after an update. (apple.com)

Apple’s own support guidance remains more cautious than many how-to posts. The company says Face ID depends on the TrueDepth camera, requires the user’s eyes, nose and mouth to be visible, and works best when the iPad is held at roughly arm’s length, or 10 to 20 inches from the face. On iPad, Face ID should work in any orientation, but Apple specifically warns that in landscape mode a finger or palm can cover the TrueDepth camera, which may trigger a “Camera covered” alert. Apple’s first advice is also straightforward: check for a newer version of iPadOS, confirm that Face ID has been set up for the features you are trying to use, and restart the device before moving on to deeper fixes. (support.apple.com)

The strongest software case is still that an update can upset settings rather than damage Face ID itself. AppleToolBox reported on 7 August 2026 that some iPhone and iPad users had seen Face ID stop recognising them after iOS 18.5, and said one of the first things to check was whether Face ID options had been switched off during the update. That lines up with broader guidance from iDownloadBlog, Android Authority and Guiding Tech: open Settings > Face ID & Passcode, make sure “iPad Unlock” is enabled, confirm options such as Password Autofill are still on, and, if a third-party app is the only thing failing, check that the app has permission to use Face ID at all. If the problem is limited to one frozen app, force quitting and reopening it can be enough. (appletoolbox.com)

The next tier of fixes is physical rather than software-based. Apple says smudges, cases and screen protectors can obstruct the TrueDepth system, while Guiding Tech notes that a thick or poorly cut screen protector can cause repeated authentication failures on iPad specifically. That publication also advises switching to portrait mode if Face ID is behaving oddly in landscape, because users do not always realise where the front camera sits when the tablet is turned sideways. If glasses or accessibility needs appear to be confusing the scan, Guiding Tech says the “Require Attention for Face ID” setting can be turned off temporarily, although that lowers security. Apple also recommends resetting Face ID and enrolling again once the camera area is clean and unobstructed. (support.apple.com)

Some apparent failures are normal security behaviour. Android Authority notes that Face ID will stop working after five unsuccessful scans, after a restart, after 48 hours without the device being unlocked, on the Emergency SOS screen, or when the iPad has been placed in Lost mode. iDownloadBlog adds a separate complication: some payment or sign-in apps can appear to fail even after a successful face scan if Wi‑Fi or mobile data is down, leaving users in a loop where authentication succeeds but the app never opens properly. That makes it worth checking whether the failure is system-wide, or only happens inside one app and only on one network. (androidauthority.com)

Where users should become more cautious is when Face ID cannot be set up again at all. Apple says plainly that if the camera is not working and Face ID cannot be configured, the device may need service. Its support page also carries a stronger warning than most troubleshooting articles: only trained technicians should repair these devices, because improper repair, modification or non-genuine components in the laser system can affect safety mechanisms and risk injury to eyes or skin. Android Authority says users may also see messages such as “unknown part” or “Face ID issue detected” in Parts and Service History, while iDownloadBlog reports that unauthorised repairs can produce the warning “Unable to activate Face ID on this iPhone” and that reinstalling the operating system will not solve that class of problem. (support.apple.com)

There is, however, a reason some users instinctively blame updates. Apple’s platforms have seen Face ID regressions before: iMore reported in October 2022 that developers testing the iOS 15.7.1 release candidate were finding Face ID broken, and that attempts to reset it could end in a “Face ID Is Not Available” error. That history makes a beta-related glitch plausible, especially while iPadOS 27 remains pre-release software. But until Apple publicly acknowledges a current iPadOS 27 Face ID bug, the sensible order is still the unglamorous one: install the newest available build, confirm the relevant Face ID toggles, clear any obstruction, test in a different orientation, reset Face ID, and only then move to authorised service if enrolment still fails. (imore.com)