A failed Face ID attempt could be enough to crash and restart an iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max. Some owners report that when Face ID fails while unlocking a protected app, tapping Try Face ID Again can freeze the entire phone before it reboots.
9to5Mac has reproduced the problem on an iPhone 18 Pro, while similar reports have appeared from other owners. The issue does not appear to affect every iPhone 18 Pro, and Apple has not yet confirmed what is causing it.
Avoid Tapping Try Face ID Again
The simplest workaround is to avoid immediately tapping Try Face ID Again after Face ID fails when opening a protected app.
If Face ID does not recognize you, wait for the authentication prompt to close or use the app’s passcode option instead. This avoids the sequence that has been linked to the freeze and subsequent reboot.
The problem has been reported when using Face ID to unlock the Passwords app, private tabs in Safari and other apps protected with Face ID. It does not appear to be triggered directly from the regular lock screen.
What Happens When The Bug Occurs
After an unsuccessful Face ID attempt, tapping Try Face ID Again can cause the iPhone to stop responding to touch input.
After several seconds, the device reportedly experiences a kernel panic and restarts, returning to the lock screen. The phone is usable again after the reboot.
The first failed Face ID scan does not appear to be enough to trigger the problem. The reported crash happens after the user starts another Face ID attempt from the alert.
The New Face ID System Could Be Related
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max feature a redesigned Face ID system, with the infrared camera positioned behind the display near the status bar.
The bug has therefore raised questions about the interaction between the new Face ID hardware and iOS 27. There is no evidence yet that the Face ID component itself is defective, however.
Because the phone recovers after restarting, the behavior is consistent with a system crash rather than a permanently failed Face ID sensor.
The Problem Has Been Reproduced
9to5Mac says it reproduced the crash on at least one European iPhone 18 Pro. Other owners have described similar freezes and restarts in online reports.
The reports are not evidence that every iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max is affected. The issue appears to occur only on some devices, and its overall frequency is not known.
A Replacement iPhone May Not Fix It
One affected owner said Apple Support recommended replacing the iPhone.
There is currently no indication that the hardware needs to be replaced. Since the crash can be triggered by a specific Face ID interaction, a software problem remains a possible explanation.
Apple has not said whether the issue is caused by iOS 27, the new Face ID system or another part of the authentication process.
What To Do If Your iPhone Freezes
If your iPhone 18 Pro freezes after a failed Face ID attempt, wait for it to restart. Once it returns to the lock screen, use your passcode rather than repeatedly trying Face ID.
Until the issue is addressed, using the passcode to unlock protected apps after a failed Face ID scan is the safest way to avoid repeating the reported crash sequence.
Keeping the iPhone updated is also important because Apple could address the problem in a future iOS 27 update.
Apple Has Not Confirmed The Issue
Apple has been contacted about the reported crashes but has not publicly acknowledged the Face ID bug.
For now, the issue appears to be limited to some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners. The fact that the crash has been reproduced and that multiple users have reported similar behavior makes it worth watching for a software update.
(via 9to5Mac)
