Apple is preparing a software update for next week to fix an unusually nasty Face ID bug affecting some iPhone 18 Pro users — one that can go from a failed authentication attempt to a completely frozen and rebooting iPhone.
The problem appears when affected iPhone 18 Pro owners attempt to open an app that has been individually protected using Face ID. Instead of authenticating normally, Face ID fails and displays a “Try Face ID Again” option.
Trying again is where things can get considerably worse. On affected devices, another Face ID attempt can cause the iPhone to freeze completely, temporarily preventing touch input before the device eventually reboots.
Apple has reportedly confirmed that the problem is software-related and plans to release an update addressing it early next week. That’s particularly important for anyone who encountered the problem and wondered whether their new iPhone 18 Pro had developed a hardware fault. Based on Apple’s response, replacing the handset shouldn’t be necessary.
The affected feature has been available since iOS 18 and provides an additional layer of privacy for individual apps. Users can long-press an app icon and select “Require Face ID,” forcing biometric authentication — or the device passcode when appropriate — before that app can be opened.
There’s also a more private “Hide and Require Face ID” option, which protects the app while removing it from the regular Home Screen and App Library view. Hidden apps can instead be accessed through the dedicated Hidden section.
That makes the current bug more than a minor Face ID inconvenience. People are most likely to enable additional authentication on apps containing information they specifically want to keep private, so having the protection mechanism itself trigger a freeze and reboot is particularly frustrating.
The good news is that there appears to be no need for affected iPhone 18 Pro owners to rush to an Apple Store or seek a replacement device. With Apple treating this as a software problem, the upcoming update should provide the proper fix.
Apple hasn’t provided an exact release date for the update beyond early next week. Until it arrives, iPhone 18 Pro owners experiencing the issue may want to avoid repeatedly triggering Face ID authentication on affected protected apps.
