Some users of the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max have experienced a troubling issue: after a failed Face ID attempt, their phones freeze and then reboot. Apple says this isn’t a hardware defect, and a software update to resolve the problem is set to arrive early next week.
Precisely what’s going wrong
The glitch shows up when Face ID fails—often when the user’s face is partially obscured, like by a hand—while accessing the Passwords app. Touch input suddenly stops working, then the device force-reboots after a few seconds. Those affected are also finding panic logs in the iPhone Analytics section of Settings.
Not every iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max is impacted, but reports across social media and from users indicate the issue is widespread enough to draw serious attention.
Root cause and Apple’s response
These models include a redesigned Face ID system: the infrared camera has been relocated, now placed under the display near where the status bar clock appears, allowing for a 25% smaller visible Dynamic Island. The bug appears to stem from software mishandling of this new sensor layout rather than a physical problem.
Some users already tried replacing their phones, thinking the problem was hardware-related. Apple confirms that’s not necessary—an imminent software update will address the problem, without needing device swaps.
This update follows on the heels of one that fixed a similar stability issue: a recent release of watchOS 27.0.1 corrected a random restart bug affecting the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4.
Apple has officially confirmed the fix is in development and expects to roll it out early next week, after gathering reports and reproducing the issue on its own test units. Users will need to install the forthcoming iOS update once it becomes available.
What this means: The reboot bug tied to Face ID is clearly a software problem, not something wrong with the new Face ID hardware. When the patch arrives, it should restore stability for affected users and reduce the risk of unnecessary phone replacements. If you own a Pro model and have held back from Face ID use due to this issue, you’ll likely be able to return to normal behavior very soon.
