How to Fix Face ID and Passcode Not Showing in iPhone Settings (2026 Guide)

If the Face ID & Passcode option is missing from your iPhone Settings, you’re not alone. Many users report that the Face ID and Passcode menu suddenly disappears, making it impossible to change their password, update Face ID, or adjust security settings.

This issue can happen due to Screen Time restrictions, device management profiles, or software glitches. The good news? In most cases, it’s an easy fix.

I’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to restore the Face ID and Passcode option on your iPhone.

Why Is Face ID & Passcode Missing From iPhone Settings?

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand why it happens.

Here are the most common causes:

Screen Time restrictions are enabled
Content & Privacy Restrictions are blocking passcode changes
Device management (MDM) profile restrictions
iOS software glitch
Outdated iOS version

In most situations, Screen Time settings are the main reason.

✅ Method 1: Turn Off Screen Time Restrictions (Most Effective Fix)

This is the primary solution and works for most users.

Step 1: Open Settings

Go to the iPhone Settings app.

Step 2: Tap Screen Time

Scroll down and tap:

Screen Time

Step 3: Open Content & Privacy Restrictions

Inside Screen Time:

Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
Scroll down

Step 4: Allow Passcode Changes

Find:

Passcode Changes

Tap it and select:

✅ Allow

If it’s set to “Don’t Allow,” the Face ID & Passcode option will be hidden from Settings.

Step 5: Turn Off Content & Privacy Restrictions (Recommended)

For best results:

Go back
Toggle OFF Content & Privacy Restrictions

Step 6: Restart Settings App

Close the Settings app completely
Reopen it
Scroll down

🎉 You should now see Face ID & Passcode back in the Settings menu.

🔄 Method 2: Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, the issue is just a minor iOS glitch.

How to Restart:

Press and hold the Side button + Volume button
Slide to power off
Wait 30 seconds
Turn it back on

Check Settings again after restart.

🔧 Method 3: Check for Device Management (MDM Profile)

If your iPhone belongs to:

A school
A company
A corporate network

It may have Mobile Device Management (MDM) restrictions that disable passcode settings.

How to Check:

Go to:

Settings → General → VPN & Device Management

If a profile is installed, it may restrict security settings.

⚠️ If this is a work or school phone, you may need to contact the administrator.

📲 Method 4: Update iOS to the Latest Version

Software bugs can sometimes hide settings.

To update:

Open Settings
Tap General
Tap Software Update
Install any available update

Keeping your device updated ensures security features like Face ID work properly.

🔐 Method 5: Reset All Settings (If Nothing Works)

If the problem persists, you can reset all settings.

⚠️ This will NOT delete your photos or apps, but it will reset:

WiFi passwords
Bluetooth connections
Display settings

Steps:

Go to:

Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

After reset, check for the Face ID & Passcode option again.

What If Face ID Still Doesn’t Appear?

If the option is still missing:

Make sure your iPhone supports Face ID (older models use Touch ID instead)
Check if Screen Time passcode is still active
Contact Apple Support if the issue persists

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Face ID & Passcode not showing on my iPhone?

Most commonly, it’s hidden due to Screen Time restrictions under Content & Privacy settings.

Does turning off Screen Time delete data?

No. It only removes usage limits and restrictions.

Will resetting settings delete my photos?

No. Resetting all settings does not delete personal files.

If Face ID and Passcode is missing from your iPhone Settings, the issue is usually caused by Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time. Simply allowing passcode changes or turning off restrictions restores the option instantly.

This is a quick fix that takes less than 2 minutes and works in 2026 on the latest iOS versions.

If this guide helped you fix the problem, consider bookmarking it for future reference.