Some iPhone 18 Pro users are reportedly experiencing freezes and unexpected reboots after failed Face ID attempts on iOS 27.
Apple’s new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models have introduced a smaller Face ID system, with the infrared camera positioned behind the display near the status bar. However, some owners are now reporting a software issue involving the new Face ID hardware on the shipping version of iOS 27.
According to reports from iPhone 18 Pro owners, their devices can freeze and subsequently restart after a failed Face ID authentication attempt. The issue does not appear to affect every device, and its overall scope remains unclear.
Face ID Failure Can Trigger Reboot
The reported problem appears to occur when Face ID is used to unlock a protected application rather than when unlocking the iPhone from the lock screen.
Users have reported encountering the issue with protected apps such as the Passwords app and private Safari tabs, as well as other applications secured using Apple’s biometric protection features.
The bug can reportedly be reproduced by deliberately failing a Face ID authentication attempt. When an iPhone 18 Pro presents a Face ID challenge, covering the face can trigger an authentication failure.
After the “Try Face ID Again” option appears, tapping the button a second time can cause an affected device to become completely unresponsive. Touch input reportedly stops working, followed by a system panic and automatic reboot to the lock screen.
Software Issue Likely Behind the Problem
The issue has reportedly been reproduced on at least one European iPhone 18 Pro model, although it remains unclear how widespread the problem is.
Some users have also contacted Apple Support. One report claims that Apple recommended replacing the affected device with another unit.
However, the reported behaviour points towards a potential software problem rather than a hardware defect. A future iOS update could therefore resolve the issue without requiring affected users to replace their phones.
Apple has yet to publicly confirm the Face ID reboot problem or announce a specific fix.
Another iOS 27 Reboot Bug Reported
The Face ID issue is not the only reported problem involving iOS 27. A separate bug has also been reported to cause system reboots across different iPhone models.
Both issues could potentially be addressed through upcoming software updates as Apple continues to refine iOS 27 following its release.