Apple is preparing to release a software update next week to resolve a significant bug affecting the iPhone 18 Pro. The issue arises when users attempt to open an app that has been protected with Face ID, leaving the handset unresponsive.
The feature at the centre of the problem was introduced with iOS 18 in 2024. It allows iPhone owners to add an extra layer of protection to sensitive apps by requiring facial recognition to confirm the identity of anyone attempting to open them.
How Face ID app protection works
Setting up Face ID to guard specific apps is straightforward. A long press on an app’s home screen icon brings up a menu that includes the option “Require Face ID.” Selecting it presents three choices.
The first, “Require Face ID,” means the app can only be opened once identity has been verified through facial recognition or by entering a passcode. The second, “Hide and Require Face ID,” adds the same protection while also removing the app icon from the display and the App Library, so no one else can see that the app has been installed. To make the icon visible again, users tap the Hidden section in the App Library, long-press the icon, and select the option to restore it to the home screen. Protection can be removed entirely by long-pressing the app icon and choosing “Don’t Require Face ID.”
What the bug caused
While the feature offers a solid way to keep sensitive apps secure, the bug made it difficult to use on affected iPhone 18 Pro units. Users who needed Face ID to open a protected app found that facial recognition failed, leaving a button that read “Try Face ID Again.”
Tapping that button a second time caused the iPhone to freeze, preventing any touch input. After a few seconds, the device would then reboot on its own.
Apple has confirmed that a software update will address the problem, with the release expected early next week. Because the issue has been identified as a software fault rather than a hardware defect, those affected do not need to visit an Apple Store or request a replacement handset. The update will resolve the fault directly on existing devices.
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Image: phonearena.com
