Unlock with your face

Before using face matching

Keep in mind that:

  • For your security, every 72 hours, you’ll be asked to unlock your screen using another authentication method, then you’ll be able to use face matching again.
  • Looking at your phone can unlock it, even when you don't intend to.
  • Your phone can be unlocked by someone who looks a lot like you.
  • Your phone can be unlocked by someone else if it’s held up to your face while your eyes are open. Keep your phone in a safe place. To prepare for unsafe situations, you can turn on lockdown.

Set up face matching

  1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock.
  2. If you haven't yet set up a screen lock, you'll need to select and set up a backup screen lock method (pattern, PIN, or password).
  3. Tap Face Unlock.

  4. Follow the onscreen instructions. Be sure to frame your entire face with the outline.

    Face matching data is stored securely on the phone.

  5. Select face unlock options.

Whenever you turn on or wake the phone, it will search for your face and unlock the screen when it recognizes you.

Unlock your phone

Show your face to the lock screen.

If it doesn't recognize you, it stays locked and displays one of these icons.

Icon How to unlock
Use your password, PIN, or pattern
Use the fingerprint sensor

Change unlock options

Require eyes to be open

For increased security, you can require the camera to detect that your eyes are open to unlock with your face.

  1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face Unlock.
  2. Turn Require eyes to be open on toggle on switch.

For apps, require extra confirmation

You can turn on an extra confirmation step for apps that use face unlock.

  1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face Unlock.

  2. Turn Always require confirmation on toggle on switch.

    Some apps developers may still require an extra confirmation, even if you turn this setting off.

For direct access to your home screen or last used app

Skip the Power button and just show the phone your face to unlock and go straight to your home screen or last used app. To set it up:

  1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Face Unlock.
  2. Turn both Lift to unlock and Skip lock screen on toggle on switch.

Turn off face matching

  1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Face Unlock.
  2. Unlock your phone.

  3. Tap Delete face data.

    The phone will no longer recognize your face, and the data is deleted. To turn it on again, set up face matching again.

Fix an issue

If you're having trouble getting the phone to recognize your face:

  1. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Face & Fingerprint Unlock > Face Unlock.
  2. Unlock your phone, then tap Redo face scan.
  3. Be sure you are in a well lit environment. Avoid low light, strong light, and backlit environments to ensure the face image is clear.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions.