While Face ID is arguably the most secure way to protect your device, if you’re ever in a situation where someone might compel you to unlock your phone with Face ID, there’s a convenient shortcut to disable biometrics. Let’s go over how to lock your iPhone screen and quickly turn off Face ID.

Why You’ll Love This Tip

Temporarily disable biometrics and protect your data.
Prevent unauthorized access to your iPhone.

How to Disable Face ID on iPhone in a Pinch

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro Max running iOS 26.4. Find out how to update to the latest version of iOS.

Whether your iPhone uses Face ID or Touch ID, you can quickly disable the biometric sensors in your device so that it can only be unlocked with your passcode. For more iPhone security advice, be sure to sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here’s how to turn off biometrics on iPhone of any model.

Press and hold the side button and either the volume up or volume down button until the power down slider appears. If your iPhone has a Home Button, you can just press and hold the power button. Note: If you have the Emergency SOS option Call with Hold and Release enabled and hold the buttons down for too long, it will automatically place a call to emergency services. Be sure to release the buttons as soon as you see the power down slider.
Tap Cancel or push the side button to leave this screen.
If you attempt to unlock the device, you’ll see a message that says, "Your passcode is required to enable Face ID." This means Face ID has been temporarily disabled until you unlock your iPhone with the passcode.

Now you know how to turn off face recognition on iPhone temporarily in the fastest way possible. If you’re ever in a situation where you think you may be forced to unlock your device with your face, you can now protect yourself and ensure your data remains protected. Next, find out how to lock your notes.