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Face ID on iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max: Attention detection problems

Devices2 min read

Owners of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max may have a Face ID problem. Their phones might unlock when the face is just pointed at the screen, without the user looking at it.

What happened

Some owners of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max may find that Face ID works in a risky way. Face ID is the face unlock feature. Normally, the phone only opens when you look at it. This is called attention detection, or gaze detection. For some phones, this check may not work. If so, holding your face toward the phone is enough to unlock it. This could let other people open a stolen phone more easily. The problem seems to depend on which iOS version was used when the face was first saved.

Why the new sensor matters

Apple put the Face ID sensor under the screen for the first time in these models. This is called an under-screen sensor. It helped make the Dynamic Island, the cutout area at the top of the screen, smaller. Experts think Apple may use this design in a later model too. Right after launch, the new sensor also caused some phones to freeze when unlocking. Apple's iOS 27.0.1 update was said to fix that bug. Some devices, however, still showed the gaze problem later.

Key facts

  • Affected models: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, released in September.
  • Risk applies to phones set up before iOS 27.2.
  • The freezing bug was said to be fixed with iOS 27.0.1.
  • Apple adds image data, likely from the selfie camera, to the infrared face scan to protect Face ID performance.
  • Only a mathematical representation is stored, which cannot be turned back into a face image.

Why it matters

Face ID protects personal data. If the gaze check fails, a thief could unlock a stolen phone just by holding it up to someone's face. Owners should check their settings now. The article suggests a clear fix that can make the phone safer again.

What to do

  • Update the phone to iOS 27.2 or later.
  • Delete the saved Face ID data in the settings.
  • Set up Face ID again, then delete and re-add any alternative appearances.
  • If you use the mask mode, make sure attention detection is on. If not, set up your face again.
  • Watch for an official Apple statement about this problem.

Glossary

Face ID
Apple's face unlock feature that uses a face scan to open the iPhone.
Dynamic Island
The small area at the top of the iPhone screen that shows alerts and activities.
iOS 27.2
A version of Apple's iPhone software that fixes this issue, according to the article's advice.

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