Stuck in iPhone Face ID for App Store Not Working? Solutions to Fix!

Updated by Brian Davis on Feb 25, 2026 • Category: Fix iPhone Issues
6 mins read

Apple has always placed a strong emphasis on privacy and security, introducing features like passcodes, Two-Factor Authentication, Activation Lock, and Face ID to protect users. Among these, Face ID offers a faster and more secure way to unlock your device and make purchases, especially on the App Store, without entering a passcode each time.

However, when the App Store Face ID not working issue occurs, it can interrupt downloads and payments. Why does this problem happen, and how can you fix it quickly? This article will provide the most effective solutions to get Face ID working.

how to fix app store face id not working

Part 1: Why Can't I Use Face ID for App Store?

"Face ID is available everywhere else but not for the App Store and double click does not appear." How does it happen? In fact, it can be concluded as the listed reasons below.

  • 01 Face ID for App Store Is Disabled: Face ID must be specifically enabled for iTunes & App Store purchases. If this option is turned off, you’ll be asked to enter your Apple ID password instead.
  • 02 Incorrect Face ID Settings: If Face ID isn't set up properly or was recently reset, it may not work for purchases.
  • 03 Screen Time or Restrictions: Content & Privacy Restrictions can block App Store purchases or biometric authentication.
  • 04 Face ID Sensor Issues: If the TrueDepth camera is obstructed, dirty, or malfunctioning, Face ID authentication may fail.
  • 05 Temporary iOS System Glitches: Software bugs or minor system errors can prevent Face ID from working correctly with the App Store.
  • 06 Apple ID or Payment Verification Required: Sometimes the Apple system requires manual password entry for security, especially after updates or account changes.

Part 2: How to Fix Face ID Not Working for App Store?

Now that you understand the possible reasons behind the issue, it's time to apply the right solutions. The following methods will walk you through practical steps to fix Face ID not working for the App Store. Try each solution in order until Face ID works smoothly again for your purchases and downloads.

Method 1: Enable Face ID for Payment

Face ID can be used to make purchases when you already have to enable it on your iPhone. Face ID not working in App Store will happen to you if you do not enable Face ID to make purchases in App Store. The steps show you how to enable Face ID for App Store payment.

  • Step 1. Navigate to Settings.
  • Step 2. Tap Face ID & Passcode and then enter your passcode to access the settings on it.
  • Step 3. Turn on iTunes & App Store button.

enable face id for payment on iphone

Method 2: Disable Passcode for Payment

Forcing to disable passcode payment may restore to trigger the facial recognition payment in App Store. Passcode payment includes 2 ways when purchasing, Always Require Password and Require After 15 minutes. Make sure you have disable them on your iPhone. Here's the way.

For iOS 16 users below

  • Step 1. Go to Settings and tap Accessibility.
  • Step 2. Find Side Button and tap it, then you can see Use Passcode for Payments. Ensure the button is off.

disable use passcode for payment button on your iphone

For iOS 16 users or higher

  • Step 1. Go to Settings and tap the Apple ID on the top.
  • Step 2. Tap Media & Purchases, and select Password Settings.
  • Step 3. Then you can see Always Require Password and Require After 15 Minutes. Make sure there's no tick on the right of them.

media purchases require password

Method 3: Reset Face ID

Despite nothing you have done to Face ID, there may still be errors on occasion, causing Face ID for App Store not working. So you can reset Face ID to fix the App Store Face ID not working with the guide provided.

  • Step 1. Go to Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode.
  • Step 2. Enter your passcode to access the settings inside.
  • Step 3. Scroll down and tap Reset Face ID.
  • reset face id to fix app store face id not working

  • Step 4. Then, tap on Set Up Face ID to set a Face ID for your iPhone again.

Method 4: Sign Out Apple ID

This is an easy method to use when you encounter some error on your Apple ID. The service may be available to you when you sign out of your Apple ID and sign in again. Follow the steps to sign out and sign in your Apple ID on Settings.

  • Step 1. Go to Settings and tap on the Apple ID displayed at the top of your interface.
  • Step 2. Tap Sign Out on the button, then sign in again with your Apple ID.

sign out and sign into apple id again

Method 5: Upgrade iOS

Expect for the mistaken settings, system problems or using a old iOS version are also the reasons for causing App Store Face ID not working. You can fix your iOS system by upgrading to the latest iOS version in a few simple steps. When you upgrade your iOS system to the latest version, some errors can be fixed. Here's how to fix iPhone with iOS upgrading.

  • Step 1. Go to Settings.
  • Step 2. Tap on General and you can see Software Update below About, please tap on it.
  • Step 3. Then you can upgrade your iOS version by tapping on Update Now button.

upgrade your ios system

Method 6: Fix Face ID for App Store Not Working with TunesKit iOS System Recovery

If the Face ID is still not working after your attempts to these solutions, your iOS system may have existed some system issues that cannot be solved by upgrading the iOS system. To assist you deal with it, a practical and multi-functional iOS system repair tool is presented as follows. Try to use this 100% working tool to fix your iPhone.

TunesKit iOS System Recovery is good at fixing a variety of iOS issues on iDevice. More than 150 issues on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch can be easily fixed with TunesKit iOS System Recovery, such as device is stuck or dead, stuck on backing up or other modes, cannot restore on iTunes, Face ID for App Store not working and other problems. And this tool comes with enter or exit Recovery Mode feature, factory reset and iOS system downgrade and upgrade.

Fix iPhone Face ID for App Store Not Working

TunesKit iOS System Recovery can resolve Face ID glitches affecting App Store purchases quickly and safely—no data loss and no technical expertise required.

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The detailed steps are shown in the following to assist you to fix the issue with TunesKit iOS System Recovery.

Step 1: Connect Your Device

To fix your Face ID, you're required to connect your device to a PC and make sure of connection until you finish iOS system repair. Click on iOS System Repair to start your fixing.

connect iphone to PC

Step 2:Choose Repair Type

Click on Other Problems, and go ahead. You can see the interface comes with Standard Repair and Deep Repair. Standard Repair can fix many common issues on your devices and will not cause data loss. While Deep Repair is to repair the issues that are hard to fix with standard one, your iPhone data will be removed totally. Using Standard Repair to fix App Store Face ID not working is recommended first.

select standard mode

Step 3: Download firmware package & Start to repair

Download the firmware package after checking your iPhone info shown on the interface. Then, it starts to verify the firmware package. When finished, click Start to fix the problem on your iOS system.

start to fix face id not working for app store

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Part 3: FAQs About App Store Face ID Not Working

  • 1. Why did it suddenly stop working?

    This usually happens after an iOS update or if you recently changed your Apple ID password. For security reasons, the iPhone often defaults back to requiring a manual password entry to "re-verify" your identity before it trusts Face ID again for purchases.

  • 2. I'm double-tapping the screen, but nothing happens. Why?

    This is a common misunderstanding of the prompt. When the screen says "Double Click to Install," it is referring to the physical Side Button (the power button) on the right edge of the phone, not the screen itself.

  • 3. Is my Face ID broken?

    Likely not. If you can unlock your phone with your face but can't buy apps, the hardware is fine. The issue is a specific permission setting that links Face ID to the App Store.

Part 4: Conclusion

Face ID App Store not working can be easily fixed with the effective and easy solutions written in this post. TunesKit iOS System Recovery is the primary recommendation among these methods due to its high success rate and easy steps. It's my great pleasure if you can learn something in this post!

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