Beginner Guide to Download Apps with Face ID on iPhone

Downloading apps with Face ID makes the process faster and more convenient, letting you approve App Store purchases without repeatedly entering your Apple ID password. If you want to download apps with Face ID on iPhone, this guide will show you how to enable the feature and use it when getting apps from the App Store. We’ll also cover what to check if Face ID doesn’t appear or fails when you try to download an app. Whether you’re setting up Face ID for App Store downloads for the first time or troubleshooting an existing setup, you’ll find practical steps to get it working again.

How to Download Apps with Face ID on iPhone

Face ID does more than just unlock your iPhone. This neat feature also lets you download apps faster, securely and hands-free, which is a lot more convenient than always typing your Apple ID password. Instead of remembering your login details or fumbling with a keyboard, a quick look at your phone is all it takes.

Before you can breeze through App Store downloads by looking at your iPhone, three things need to be in place: you have to set up Face ID, you must authorize the App Store to use it, and you need to know what to do when the install pop-up appears. Do the following to get all three sorted.

Step 1: Set Up Face ID on iPhone

If you've already set up Face ID, skip to Step 2. But if you haven't gone through its set-up process yet, start here. The following is how to set up Face ID on iPhone 17, iPhone 16 or other Face ID models:

• Open the Settings app.
• Scroll down to select Face ID & Passcode.



• Enter your iPhone passcode when prompted and then hit Set Up Face ID.



• Tap Get Started and hold your iPhone in portrait. Then position your face inside the frame you see on screen.



• Move your head in a circle slowly to complete the first scan and do the same for the second scan. You can also set up Face ID to work while you’re wearing a mask or just tap Set Up Later to do so another time.



• Choose Done to finish.

If setting up Face ID fails, ensure your face isn't partially blocked and the lighting is good. Also make sure the TrueDepth camera isn't blocked by the screen protector.

Step 2: Enable Face ID for App Store

Note that setting up Face ID doesn't mean you’ll be able to automatically use it to install or buy apps on App Store. Instead, you need to grant App Store the permission to use your Face ID after setup. Many users miss this step and that's exactly why they end up typing their Apple ID password every single time they download an app and mistakenly think that Face ID is unavailable. So, follow these steps to enable Face ID for App Store:

• Go to Settings and select Face ID & Passcode.
• Enter your passcode to continue.



• Under the Use Face ID For section, toggle on iTunes & App Store.

Step 3: Install Apps with Face ID

With Face ID enabled for the App Store, downloading apps is very quick:

• First, open the App Store and find the app you want to install. Hit the Get or price button.



• A prompt will appear asking you to Double Click to Install (or Double Click to Buy for paid apps).
• Double-click the physical Side Button on the right edge of your iPhone, not the screen (a lot of first-time users often get this wrong and tap the screen instead).



• Glance at your iPhone to authenticate with Face ID. The app will start downloading immediately. If Face ID fails the scan, the iPhone will fall back to asking for your Apple ID password.

Why Can't I Use My Face ID to Download Apps? (Fixed)

Does your Face ID work fine when unlocking your iPhone and logging into apps, but when it comes to the App Store, it’s a different story? You’re not the only one because the same is true for a surprising number of people. If App Store keeps asking for an Apple ID password instead of Face ID when downloading apps on your iPhone, try one of the fixes below.

Fix 1: Unblock TrueDepth Camera

Face ID relies on the TrueDepth camera in the notch (or Dynamic Island) at the top of your iPhone. If the camera area is covered by dust, dirt, a screen protector, or even your finger, Face ID may not work properly when you try to download apps from the App Store. Make sure the TrueDepth camera area is clean and unobstructed before trying again.

• Check for dust, smudges, or debris on the notch area and wipe it with a clean, dry cloth.



• If you're using a screen protector, make sure it doesn't cover the top sensor area. Some cheap or improperly cut protectors do exactly this.



• Remove any thick iPhone case that might be partially covering the top of the phone.

This check takes under a minute and eliminates one of the most frustratingly simple causes. If the camera is clear and Face ID still isn't working in the App Store, move on to the fixes below.

Fix 2: Re-enable Face ID for App Store

This works for most people who complain about Face ID not prompting when downloading apps. Even if the iTunes & App Store toggle is on, simply turning it off and back on again refreshes and re-establishes the link between Face ID and App Store.

Based on Reddit community reports, this fix works most of the time, particularly when the problem happens after an iOS update. Both double-click Side Button prompt and Face ID scan should both return to normal after this.

• Open Settings and choose Face ID & Passcode.



• Enter your passcode. Under Use Face ID For, toggle off iTunes & App Store.



• Wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on.
• You'll be prompted to enter your Apple ID password. Do so.



• Head back to the App Store and try downloading an app to check if the problem is gone.

Fix 3: Turn On "Require Password" for Free Downloads

Is your App Store asking for password instead of Face ID? The solution to this sounds strange, but it really works.

When you turn off "Require Password" for free downloads in Media & Purchases, some iOS versions disable Face ID by mistake. So, instead of letting you use Face ID, they'll start asking you to type your password. Simply turning it on and then back off can reset that behavior. Why? Toggling it on and then back off acts as a soft reset for that specific setting. It essentially clears the mix-up without touching anything else and Face ID should take over again from there.

• Go to Settings and select your Apple ID name at the top.



• Choose Media & Purchases, then select Password Settings.



• Under Free Downloads, toggle Require Password on. Exit Settings, then go back in and toggle it off again.



• Return to the App Store and test.

If Media & Purchases option is greyed out, Screen Time restrictions could be the hidden culprit. This is especially true on devices that have parental Content & Privacy Restrictions enabled.

Screen Time can silently override Face ID behavior without giving any obvious sign it's doing so. To solve this, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Require Password, and make sure it's set to Don't Require.

Bonus: How to Put Face ID on Apps iPhone

Downloading apps with Face ID is great and super convenient, but you can also use Face ID to lock individual apps so that no one else can open them on your device. This is perfect for banking apps, password managers, or anything that has your sensitive information. Starting from iOS 18, iOS provides a built-in feature to lock apps. The locked app requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to access, every time the app is opened, even if your iPhone is already unlocked. Here's how to set it up:

Steps to Add Face ID to iPhone Apps

• Go to the Home Screen and find the app you want to lock.



• Touch and hold the app icon until the Quick Actions menu pops up. Choose Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode, depending on your device). Confirm the selection by tapping Require Face ID again.



• Press the locked app. When prompted, authenticate with Face ID to confirm the lock is active.

The app will now require a scan every time it is opened. Once you close it, it relocks automatically. But some native iPhone apps cannot be locked this way, including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts and Settings.

For a smooth Face ID lock experience on individual apps, many third-party apps (especially banking and finance apps) have a native Face ID lock. Check the app's security or privacy settings first before using Screen Time or the Quick Actions menu. WhatsApp is a great example here because it comes with a built-in Face ID lock.

FAQ: How to Download Apps Without Face ID or Apple ID Password

Can’t download apps on your iPhone because Face ID is unavailable and you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password? You can try resetting your Apple ID password first. If that fails, you can consider removing the Apple ID from your iPhone so you can sign in with a new Apple ID and download apps. There are two cases to consider. If Find My iPhone is off, you can do this using the Erase All Content and Settings option. If Find My iPhone is on, Datile PassAccess can help remove the Apple ID without worrying about Activation Lock.

Key Features

• Quickly clear Screen Time restrictions and passcodes without reset.
• Useful if you've been locked out of a second-hand iPhone where the previous owner set a passcode and is no longer reachable to remove it.
• If you legally purchased a used iPhone that has the previous owner's Apple ID, Datile can remove Activation Lock without password for you to set the device up as yours.
• Helpful when you've been gifted or bought a device signed into someone else's Apple ID and there's no way to contact them for the login details.

Steps to Remove Face ID and Apple ID from iPhone

• First, download, install and launch Datile iPhone PassAccess on your Windows PC or Mac.
• On the main screen, select Remove Apple ID. Then connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable. If prompted on your iPhone, select Trust.



• Click Start Now to proceed.



• Set a screen passcode and turn on two-factor authentication in iPhone Settings if they haven't been enabled already.
• Confirm the Apple ID removal.



• Turn off Activation Lock by following the on-screen instructions and you can then use a new Apple ID on your iPhone to install apps.

To Sum Up

Seamless Face ID downloads really come down to two settings: enrolling Face ID and enabling iTunes & App Store. When things go sideways, toggling that switch off and on clears it up most of the time. For extra privacy, you can lock apps behind Face ID, though many banking and password manager apps already have this built into their own security settings. Want to download apps on iPhone when Face ID is broken and Apple ID password is lost? Just use Datile PassAccess to get yourself back in without the headache of contacting Apple Support!