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“Face ID Not working move iPhone little lower/higher” message issue first affected iPhones in 2017, and after an iOS update, most devices were fixed. It’s not that common these days, but it can still happen with some iPhone X – 11 devices. This guide explains why your phone shows this and how it can be fixed without taking it to an Apple repair store.
The Reason Behind “Face ID Not Working Move iPhone Little Lower” Message
The message can start popping up because of issues with software or hardware. As mentioned before, updating the device to the latest version of iOS fixed the issue for most people, but some devices require a quick solution like a reboot or face ID reset. If your case is not related to a software issue, the front-facing sensors like Infrared Camera, Ambient Light Sensor, Dot Projector, or Flood Illuminator can be behind the message. If you have recently replaced the screen of your iPhone, the issue can be caused by pins that connect the earpiece to the motherboard, so you need to contact the store that replaced the screen and ask them to check if the pins are correctly connected or not.
How to Fix “Face ID Not Working Move iPhone Little Lower” Issue
There are multiple solutions for fixing this issue, some devices can be fixed by rebooting, or some may require a software update. We have covered multiple solutions, so you can try them all and hopefully fix the Face ID message bug.
Solution 1.) Check for Updates
The first thing you should do is, check for updates, and if a new version is available, downloading and installing it should fix everything. If your iPhone has important data, make sure you make a backup using iCloud or your computer.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Download the update if available.
- Once the update is downloaded, you can install it now or later by tapping on install tonight. (If you choose “Install Tonight,” make sure your device is fully charged before you go to sleep.)
Solution 2.) Restart your iPhone
Restarting the phone can also fix the ”Move iPhone lower/higher” message. To restart your iPhone follow the steps mentioned below:
- Press and hold the volume up or volume down button and the side button and wait for the power off slider.
- Drag the slider and wait until your iPhone turns off.
- Before you start your phone, please wait for a few seconds and then turn it on by pressing and holding the side button.
- Once your iPhone restarts, try using Face ID.
Solution 3.) Reset Face ID
If updating and restarting the device does not help, you can try resetting Face ID and set it up again.
- Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and select Reset Face ID.
- Then select Set up Face ID and set it up again.
Solution 4.) Factory Reset iPhone
If none of the solutions work, factory resetting should be your next step, it may or may not fix the Face ID bug, but you have no choice at this point. Before you factory reset your iPhone, make sure you make a backup using iCloud or your computer.
- Go to Settings > General.
- Scroll down and tap on Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Tap Erase Now, enter your passcode if required.
- Tap Erase iPhone again to confirm.
- Enter your Apple credentials if required and tap Erase.
Face ID Troubleshooting
If none of the solutions fixes the message issue, your case can be related to a hardware fault. Below we have explained how you can check some of the important parts that are usually responsible for Face ID issues.
Step 1: Test The Flood Illuminator
The Flood Illuminator can be tested by the Proximity Sensor and the Ambient Light Sensor. To test the proximity sensor, make a phone call and cover the proximity sensor with your hand; if it’s working, the screen will turn black. If you don’t know where the proximity sensor is, you can cover the entire top screen part with your palm.
To test the Ambient Light Sensor, set the screen brightness to the highest and hold the phone in a dark room; if the brightness reduces, the Ambient Light Sensor is working fine. You can also test it by reducing the screen brightness to the lowest and then holding the phone under bright light; if the sensor is working properly, the screen brightness will increase. If Proximity Sensor and the Ambient Light Sensor are working fine, the “Face ID Not working move iPhone little lower/higher” message has nothing to do with the Flood Illuminator.
Note: To test the Ambient Light Sensor, your iPhone’s Auto-Brightness feature should be enabled. To enable the auto-brightness feature on (iOS 14), follow the steps below.
- Go to Settings > scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
- Tap on Display & Text Size.
- Enable Auto-Brightness using the toggle switch.
Step 2: Test the Front Camera and the Dot Projector
Open the camera app and switch to Portrait Mode. The Dot Projector should emit a blinking red light; if there is no red light, the Dot Projector is not working properly, and it’s the reason you are getting the ”Move iPhone little lower/higher” message.
If the Dot Projector is emitting red light, check the front camera in Portrait Mode. Face the camera, and check if it blurs the background. If there is no background blur, your front camera is probably malfunctioning, and thus you get the Face ID message.
What to Do If Nothing Works?
So if the solutions did not work and you found no malfunctioning hardware, there are still some things that you need to check to fix the Face ID issue.
Make Sure That You’re Facing the Truedepth Camera
Face the Truedepth camera properly, and the distance should be an arm’s length between the iPhone and your face.
Make Sure That Your Face Is Uncovered
Face ID will not be able to detect your face if it’s covered by something. You need to make sure your mouth, nose, and eyes are visible to the camera. Usually, face ID works if you are wearing glasses but if you are getting the Face ID not working message with glasses on, try using it without them.
FAQs
What does the Flood Illuminator do?
The Flood Illuminator produces infrared (IR) light to illuminate the user’s. The infrared (IR) light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum that’s invisible to the naked eye.
What is the Dot projector?
The dot projector produces dots of invisible IR light to create a 3D map of a user’s face.
What does the Infrared Camera do on iPhone?
The infrared camera captures images of the dot pattern and the IR light that reflects from the user’s face.
