Fix: Face ID Is Not Working Because It Claims the iPhone Is Stolen

Lee Stanton April 24, 2024

Quick Tips:

Fix: Face ID Is Not Working Because It Claims the iPhone Is Stolen

This problem may trigger on a missing device if you have enabled Stolen Device Protection in iPhone Settings.
Turning off lost mode on iCloud or another phone will be the most effective fix.
In some cases, if you just bought the phone, returning it may be your only option, as it could be stolen.

Fix 1: Turn Off Lost Mode in iCloud

If you enable Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone, you must turn it off. Otherwise, your phone may be treated as a stolen device. Unfortunately, you will need Face ID to turn it off, so your only option will be turning off Lost Mode in iCloud.

Step 1: Log into iCloud and click the Find My icon.

Step 2: Click your device, and in the subsequent windows, click Lost Mode.

Step 3: Click the Stop Lost Mode button.

Fix 2: Return the Phone to the Seller

If you just acquired the phone, you probably purchased a lost or stolen phone. If this is the case, you can’t resolve the Face ID issue, and your best bet is to return it to the seller and probably get a replacement or a refund.

Fix 3: Contact Your Carrier

In some places, the mobile network carrier may have reported the phone as missing or stolen. In such cases, your best bet is to contact the carrier to prove the phone is with the real owner.

The verification process will differ depending on your carrier. In the end, they will deregister your phone as missing, and the Face ID should work again.

Fix 4: Contact Apple Support

As a last resort, you should contact Apple support. You may do so using the Apple Support app, their contact page, or via their dedicated support line: 1 (800) 275-2273.

They will ask basic questions to ascertain your identity and ownership of the device. In the end, they will provide steps to fix the problem.

FAQS:

Why Is My iPhone Not Letting Me Set up Face ID?

In most cases, you can’t set up Face ID if you are not the device’s owner or the TrueDepth is not working in your camera.

What Can Cause the iPhone Face ID to Stop Working?

There are several reasons for this, including phone ownership and face mismatch issues, obscured facial features, software issues, or hardware damage.