To turn off Face ID on your iPhone, you do it from Settings and switch back to using a passcode.

Quick Scoop

1. Fully turn off Face ID

If you never want your iPhone to use Face ID at all (for unlock, Apple Pay, apps, etc.):

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Face ID & Passcode.
  3. Enter your passcode.
  4. Scroll and tap Reset Face ID (or a similar option like “Remove Face ID” depending on your iOS version).
  5. Confirm if asked.

After this, your iPhone will only use your passcode to unlock and to confirm purchases or sign‑ins.

2. Turn it off just for some things

If you’re okay keeping Face ID but don’t want it for everything:

  1. Open Settings → Face ID & Passcode → enter passcode.
  2. At the top, you’ll see switches for things like:
    • iPhone Unlock
    • Apple Pay
    • iTunes & App Store
    • Password AutoFill
    • Other Apps
  3. Turn off the toggles you don’t want Face ID to handle.

Example: You can turn off iPhone Unlock so you’re always asked for a passcode, but keep Face ID for Apple Pay if that’s convenient.

3. Quickly disable Face ID in a hurry

If you just want to temporarily block Face ID (for example, in a situation where you don’t want your face to unlock the phone):

  • Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button together for about 2 seconds until the power/off sliders appear.
  • Don’t slide anything; just tap the side button to turn the screen off or let it time out.

Next time you unlock, your iPhone will require a passcode first before Face ID works again.

4. Small story-style example

Imagine you’re traveling and don’t want anyone forcing you to unlock your phone with your face. Before you get out of the taxi, you hold the side button and a volume button for a couple of seconds, see the power slider, and then let the screen sleep. Now, even if someone points the phone at your face, it won’t unlock without your passcode.

5. FAQ-style notes

  • You can always set Face ID back up later in Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Set Up Face ID.
  • Turning off Face ID does not erase your data; it only changes how you unlock and approve actions.
  • On newer iOS versions and new iPhone models (like the iPhone 15/16 series), the menu names are the same, but some extra security toggles (like “Stolen Device Protection”) may appear in the same area.

TL;DR

  • Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Reset Face ID to turn it off completely.
  • Or just toggle off iPhone Unlock if you only want a passcode for unlocking.
  • Use Side button + Volume button for a quick, temporary Face ID lockout.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.