Face ID Not Working After Water Damage: Why & How To Fix It?

Face ID is a safe method of unlocking your iPhone or iPad Pro using facial recognition. You may use it to approve purchases from the iTunes Store, App Store, Book Store, Apple store, etc.

Face ID may also be used to login into applications developed by third-party developers. However, you may encounter issues like a Face ID not working after water damage and asking how to fix it.

Apple’s security equipment is required to reset the components to the logic board, and if they were damaged by water, merely replacing them would not work. But, due to water damage, it is impossible to reseat the camera unit (or anything of the kind) on the device.

Find out why and how you can fix your face ID after water interactions in the article that follow:

What is Face ID?

Apple introduced facial recognition software called Face ID with the iPhone X in 2017. Apple’s newest iPhones, including the iPhone 13 small, 13, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max, will no longer use Touch ID fingerprint scanning because this new technology is expected to appear on all future iPhones.

Using a TrueDepth camera system, which includes sensors, cameras, and a dot projector in the notch, iPhone Face ID creates a comprehensive 3D map of your face.

How Does Face ID Work?

On iPhones and other compatible smartphones, the sensors for Face ID are housed in a notch at the top of the screen. The following sensors are included in this group:

Infrared illumination Camera: This camera interprets the projected dots onto the screen to capture a picture.

Flood Illuminator: Additional infrared light ensures that the device operates even when it is entirely dark.

Dot Projector: Over 30,000 invisible dots will be projected onto your face. The dots create a 3D representation of your face’s structure. A “unique face map” is designed as a result of this.

As long as your facial features haven’t changed, the system should be able to detect you even if you’re wearing a fabric mask or have grown a beard or spectacles. If you’re a twin or a kid who looks like one of your parents, Face ID might be tricky.

Related: Why Are My Eyebrows Uneven On Camera?

Why Is Face Id Not Working After Water Damage On iPhone?

One of the safety features of the iPhone is Face Id. The iPhone’s critical circuits for Face ID may have been exposed to water if submerged in the ocean.

Damage to the phone’s components may be caused by water contaminants that induce corrosion and create circuit paths for electricity, which aren’t part of its functional design.

The iPhone’s Face Id is a safety feature. Face ID’s core circuits are likely to have been harmed if the iPhone has been exposed to water.

Face ID may not work if the device has been damaged by water or exposed to a humid environment, causing an electrical leakage or short-circuit.

Face ID After Water Damage

To begin, check the hue of your iPhone repair’s exterior Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI)

Contact with water or a wet liquid triggers the LCI’s activation. While ordinarily white or silver, the indicator’s color changes when it comes into touch with water or a liquid that contains water.

This is the most common location for LCIs on most iPhones. Your iPhone’s LCI state may be seen by removing the SIM tray. Contact Indicators for the iPhone XR or iPad’s liquid display

Despite this fact, water or liquid damage isn’t covered by the Apple Care guarantee for water-resistant iPhones.

If Apple suspects that your device has been damaged by water or another liquid, you may be on the hook for any repairs or replacements required.

Follow These Quick Tips To Help Fix Your iPhone’s Face ID

• Remove any cases or screen protectors and try Face ID again.
• The iPhone’s liquid contact indicators (LCI) should be checked for signs that your phone has been damaged by water or liquids.
• After resetting your Face ID, restart your iPhone. Attempt to set up Face ID once again.
• If you’re running iOS 12 or later, you may consider establishing an Alternate Appearance for your Face ID.
• Ensure to restart or factory reset your iPhone immediately after upgrading if the issue arises shortly after the update.
• Restoring your iPhone using iTunes could be a viable option.
• Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider may help you with a screen repair or a complete system replacement.

1. Wipe your phone with a microfiber cloth

If you’ve recently experienced water damage to your iPhone, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. One of which is to try and wipe your phone with a microfiber cloth.

This will help remove any moisture or debris that may have gotten trapped on the screen or inside the device. If this doesn’t work, it may be necessary to go through Apple’s warranty process.

2. Dry out the phone using a hairdryer

To try and dry out the phone, you can try using a hairdryer on low heat. If this does not work, you can also try to open up the phone and let the air circulate.

3. Dry it in the sun

If your iPhone is wet, face ID may not be able to work. To fix this, you’ll need to dry it out as much as possible. If you can’t get it dried out enough using a fan or air conditioning, you’ll need to use a hair dryer on low heat.

4. Use Uncooked Rice

If your phone has water damage, be sure to remove the battery and SIM card before doing anything else. If you have a Face ID-enabled phone, be sure to disable it before packing it away for repair.

Once you’ve removed the battery and SIM card, use a hairdryer or a fan to dry out the phone as much as possible. Be careful not to let any liquids drip onto the motherboard or other sensitive parts.

Next, take your uncooked rice and place it over the damaged areas of the phone. Make sure that all of the rice is covering the area and that there are no gaps in between. Put pressure on the rice with your hands until it sticks.

5. Factory reset

If your iPhone or iPad is not working after water damage, you may need to factory reset it. This will erase all of the data on the device and restore it to its original condition. Follow these steps to factory reset your phone:

1. Power off your device.
2. Hold down both the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons until you see the Apple logo appear.
3. Release the buttons and wait for the recovery screen to appear.
4. Select “Restore” from the menu on the screen and enter your passcode if prompted.
5. Your device will restart and you will be presented with a new set of settings.

If your device cannot be turned on, try plugging it into a power source and then trying to turn it on again.

Will Apple Warranty Cover My Water-Damaged iPhone?

Apple’s one-year limited warranty does not cover damage caused by liquids, but consumer protection laws or regulations may provide you with additional rights.

However, if Face ID was harmed by water, there is likely to be physical proof to back this up. Water damage to Face ID components or one of the liquid contact indicators may be causing this issue. Assuming this is the case, Apple will not provide any repair services, including replacing a battery.

Because of typical use and exposure to the elements, Apple’s iPhones may lose some of their water- and dust-resistant capabilities. Consumers are also urged by the business not to use pressured water, soap, or any other liquid on their Apple gadgets.

Related: Why One AirPod Dies Faster?

Which iPhones Are Waterproof?

The simple answer is iPhones 7 and onwards, up to and including the most recent iPhone 13, are included. Nevertheless, the level of security offered by each of these iPhones differs widely.

According to Apple Support, a device’s protection grade is not a one-time thing. There’s a good chance your iPhone 13 will survive a 20-minute submersion in the water. However, if you continue to submerge it in water, its level of protection may diminish with time.

Water Resistance In iPhones

How To Get Rid Of The Condensation On FACE ID?

If you don’t have uncooked rice on hand, this remedy may not be accessible. Ideally, you already have some on hand, but if not, go to the store and get some up. To eliminate the condensation, I used roughly 200 grams of rice.

The rice should be stored in an airtight container at this point.

• Place some silica gel moisture absorbers with the rice to see if you can cause them to absorb moisture.
• Bury your iPhone in the rice, then seal the container tightly to keep the dustout.
• Give it at least a couple of hours.
• After a long time, you may check whether the moisture or condensation is still there on your iPhone. There was still some wetness on the iPhone above while I started working on it.
• Heat the rice for 30-40 seconds with a hairdryer to improve the absorption.

Keep the iPhone in the container for 20 minutes before closing it again. Finally, all the moisture was removed, and the iPhone was restored to its pre-accident condition!

For some reason, this seems to work on any iPhone.

Related: Why Do Airpods Charge So Fast? Learn Everything Here!

Updated News: Apple Can Now Repair Face ID On Your iPhone

Apple and its service partners may now fix Face ID on an iPhone without replacing the whole device, enabling the firm to give consumers more affordable and environmentally friendly options for device repairs.

Face ID repairs may now be performed without the need to replace the whole device, according to a recent letter from Apple released in March 2024. Service providers, locations, and gadgets all influence repair costs. Only iPhone XS and later models are eligible for the new repair option. The iPhone X Face ID isn’t compatible.

Apple has said that the new repair option is not now accessible in the

• Uruguay
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Peru
• Paraguay
• Panama
• Mexico
• Honduras
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Ecuador
• Dominican Republic
• Costa Rica
• Colombia
• Chile
• Brazil
• Bolivia
• Bermuda
• Barbados
• Argentina
• and Venezuela.

There was no indication in the document as to when the service may be extended to other nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can water damage affect Face ID?

Even if it does function, there’s certainly proof that Face ID was altered by water. It might be a symptom of water damage to the Face ID components or one of the liquid contact indicators changing color. There are no repair solutions available if this is the case.

Why is my Face ID not working after I dropped it?

When Face ID fails, the two most likely causes are that your iPhone was dropped or the screen was fixed by someone who damaged the Face ID components in their work. You will probably need to arrange a repair or consider purchasing a new gadget.

Is there a way to make Face ID work with a lowered iPhone?

To achieve this, follow the procedures listed below:

• To begin, go to the Settings menu. Go into the iPhone’s settings.
• Once you’ve done that, choose Apple ID & Passcode. Face ID & Passcode may be found at the bottom of the page.
• Select the power button to Reset Face ID from the drop-down menu.
• Restart your Apple iPhone if it hasn’t already done so.
• Take a look at the Face ID & Passcode option again.

Does AppleCare cover water damage?

Every one of the responses. Water damage is not covered by either the one-year manufacturer’s warranty or the two-year AppleCare+ extended warranty. While AppleCare+ does cover water damage up to two times, there is a cost. There is no coverage for water damage, no matter what AppleCare you have for iPhone stuck to hard reset or delete face.

When Face ID fails, what is the reason?

Electricity leakage or short-circuit problems might cause Face ID failure if the device has been damaged by water or exposed to a humid environment. Most of Face ID’s components are built from glass. Face ID is likely to become unusable if it is discontinued by Apple Inc.

Can screen replacement affect Face ID?

Face ID won’t be disabled after third-party screen repairs, Apple says. In September’s iPhone user of 13 lineups, there was a terrible surprise after a disassembly. Face ID is disabled in the newest iPhones after a third-party iPhone screen replacement.

Finally, What Should You Do To Fix Your Face ID?

“Why Is Face Id Not Working After Water Damage On iPhone?” was discussed in this post. Damage to the phone’s hardware is the primary source of this problem.

Only Apple has the security equipment to reset the components to the logic board if they’re damaged. Apple can do speedy repairs and service replacements.

Apple doesn’t fix water-damaged boards or components. In this situation, you may need AppleCare and it could replace services for your water-damaged iPhone.

• MacBook Silver Vs Space Gray
• i5 Vs i7 MacBook Pro: Where Should You Go!
• How Can You Charge Apple Pencil With iPhone?