Can’t use Face ID in landscape mode on your iPhone? Use These 13 Tips to Achieve a Smooth Operation

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series models have a new feature in iOS 16 that allows you to use Face ID when your iPhone is in landscape orientation. This is especially useful when you’re trying to make in-app and game purchases while you’re using your iPhone turned on its side. If you’re having trouble using Face ID in landscape mode, there are probably some easy ways to get it working.

While Face ID in landscape can be useful when you’re playing a game, comfortably watching videos in your bed, or recording video, it can be very annoying if it doesn’t work properly. This guide will help you troubleshoot your iPhone to fix any issues you’re having with Face ID in landscape mode, whether it’s unlocking your iPhone, making purchases, installing apps, viewing passwords, accessing secure accounts, and more.

Tip 1: Make Sure Your iPhone Supports It

As mentioned above, Landscape Face ID only works on iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. You must also be running iOS 16.0 or later to use this feature.

Tip 2: Don’t close the camera

If you hold your iPhone in landscape orientation, such as while playing a game, you are more likely to cover the TrueDepth camera with your finger or palm. So before you try anything else on this list, make sure that’s not the problem.

Tip 3: Restart iPhone

One of the simplest yet most effective steps to fix any technical issue is to restart your device, and the iPhone is no different. Restarting may help resolve any glitches or bugs that may cause Face ID in landscape mode to not work properly.

To turn off your iPhone, press the volume up button once, the volume down button, and then press and hold the side button. Swipe right on the Slide to Power off switch when the power menu appears. After it turns off completely, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears to turn it back on. You can also start charging your iPhone to turn it on. Then enter your passcode to turn on Face ID and try Face ID again in landscape mode.

If it still doesn’t work properly, you can also force restart your iPhone. It resets your iPhone at the hardware level, not at the software level, but you should only force restart your device when it freezes, can’t turn off or on, or is malfunctioning.

• More Info: 8 Ways to Shutdown and Restart iPhone

Tip 4: Keep your head still

Face ID may not work properly in landscape mode if you move or move your head or body too much when trying to complete a scan. This can break the process and cause Face ID to fail. The next time you try to use Face ID in landscape mode, keep your head still and look straight at the TrueDepth camera array, making sure your face is properly aligned with the camera.

Tip 5: Clean your display

Dust, smudges, and other debris on the display above the TrueDepth camera lens can prevent Face ID from scanning your face in landscape mode. Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the display area where the front camera is located, removing dirt, dust, or smudges that may be present. Cleaning the front camera and display regularly will help keep Face ID and other camera features on your iPhone working.

Image via Apple

Tip 6Create a new Face ID profile

Sometimes Face ID doesn’t work properly due to an old or inaccurate face scan. Creating a new profile can help re-register your face and increase the accuracy of the feature. Go to Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Enter Passcode -> Reset Face ID to erase your current profile.

After the reset, stay on the same screen and select Set up Face ID, then follow the prompts to take new scans of your face. Make sure you take a clear scan of your new face. Move your head slowly and keep your face in the frame.

Tip 7: Set an alternate look

Face ID may not always recognize you after changing your appearance, such as when you wear a hat, sports sunglasses, or grow a beard. So adding an alternative look for Face ID can help the feature work better in landscape mode without having to reset your Face ID profile over and over again.

Go to Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Enter Passcode -> Set Alternate Appearance. Follow the instructions to perform a new scan of your current image. Make sure you take a clear scan of your new face. Move your head slowly and keep your face in the frame.

Tip 8Turn Off the Attention Demand

By default, Face ID takes attention into account for better security, so you need to look at your iPhone during every scan. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult to scan your face when you’re not looking directly into the TrueDepth camera.

To remove the requirement, go to Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Enter Passcode -> Require Attention for Face ID, then turn it off. This will allow Face ID to recognize your face even if you’re not looking directly at your phone.

Please note that disabling this feature may compromise the security of your device. Someone else with similar facial features may be more successful at unlocking your iPhone, making purchases, viewing passwords, or performing other activities that require Face ID, and you may inadvertently unlock your iPhone without you noticing.

Tip 9: Check your screen protector

Don’t forget to align the protective film. Sometimes a misaligned screen protector can block the front camera’s ability to scan your face. Make sure the screen protector is properly aligned with the camera cutout and that there are no bubbles or debris under the screen protector.

Tip 10: Update your software

Keeping your iPhone software up to date is essential if you want all features to work properly, including Face ID. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can help resolve common issues, as well as any security fixes. To update your iPhone software, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update and then try Face ID in landscape mode again.

Tip 11: Make sure your face is clearly visible

To ensure a successful scan, make sure your eyes, nose, and mouth are fully visible to the TrueDepth camera. Be aware that wearing sunglasses designed to block out certain types of light may also block the infrared light used by the camera and prevent Face ID from working in landscape mode.

Tip 12Turn on Face ID with a mask

If you’re wearing a mask and need to unlock your iPhone, use Apple Pay, install apps, view passwords, or whatever else you’ve set up with Face ID, this won’t work unless you enable “Face ID with Mask”toggles through “Settings”-> “Face ID & Passcode”-> “Enter Passcode”. This option only works on iPhone 12 and newer models. Make sure your mask doesn’t block your eyes when using Face ID.

While this is for disguise, it can also help increase the likelihood that you are authenticating yourself with Face ID in landscape mode. And you can even add new scans when you wear different styles of glasses (but not sunglasses).

However, for this to work, the “Require Attention for Face ID”toggle must be turned on, as Face ID recognizes unique features in the eye area for authentication.

Tip 13: Know When Face ID Shouldn’t Work

Are you still having trouble getting Face ID to work? This may be due to specific scenarios where this should not work. Whether it’s due to a special button combination, a device reboot, or other reasons, it’s important to know when Face ID is meant to turn itself off. Here are all the cases where Face ID might not work:

• Face ID won’t work when you’re wearing a mask unless you’ve set up Face ID to work with masks.
• Face ID turns off immediately after turning on or restarting iPhone.
• Face ID turns off if your iPhone hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
• Face ID is disabled if you haven’t entered your device password for more than 6.5 days and haven’t used Face ID in the last four hours.
• Face ID is disabled when receiving a remote lock command using Find My.
• Face ID is disabled after five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
• Face ID turns off after opening the shutdown menu using hardware buttons or software options.
• Face ID is disabled after triggering an emergency SOS call using the hardware buttons.

In all of the above scenarios where Face ID is automatically disabled, you will need to enter your device passcode to re-enable Face ID.