The arrival of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max has been marked by anticipation, but also by the first reports of problems. Just a few days after their release, numerous users have shared a series of anomalous behaviors related to Face ID on social media and specialized forums.
The problem, which manifests as unexpected crashes and restarts , has prompted Apple to issue a statement. The company has confirmed that it is working on a solution and that it is not a hardware defect, but a software bug.
Face ID: crashes and restarts that mar the launch
The affected models are the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Reports indicate that the issue arises when the facial recognition system fails to properly authenticate the user. At that point, the screen becomes unresponsive to touch, and a few seconds later, the phone completely restarts.
Reproducing the bug isn't difficult. The website 9to5Mac managed to replicate it on a European iPhone 18 Pro unit. To do so, they opened the Passwords app, which requires authentication, and partially covered their face with a hand to force an identification error. After a second attempt, the device froze and eventually restarted.
This doesn't happen on the lock screen , which is the most common scenario for Face ID. The known cases are concentrated in accessing protected apps or content. Among the apps mentioned are Passwords, Safari's private tabs, and even Apple Wallet, especially when a task exceeds its expected timeout without completing.
The issue doesn't affect all users equally. However, the number of reports on social media and messages received by specialized media outlets indicate that these are not completely isolated cases. Some owners, faced with initial uncertainty, opted to go to a repair shop to have the device replaced, thinking they were dealing with a hardware failure.
Apple has acknowledged the issue and stated that it is preparing a software update to fix it. As confirmed to 9to5Mac, the patch should be available early next week. The version that will include the fix has not yet been officially specified, although speculation points to iOS 27 or a separate minor update.
The company insists that replacing the phone is unnecessary . In fact, the solution will arrive via an update and will not require a visit to a technical service center. In the meantime, affected users can continue using their passcode to access apps or services that require authentication.
The problem appears to be with the software , not the hardware. This is significant because the iPhone 18 Pro introduced major changes to Face ID. In this generation, Apple relocated the infrared camera for the facial recognition system under the screen, in the upper left corner, near where the time is displayed in the status bar.
This redesign allows for a reduction in the visible size of the Dynamic Island, which is now approximately 25% smaller than in the previous generation. Although the bug's appearance coincides with this change, Apple has not directly linked the problem to the new hardware. The confirmation that it is a software bug suggests that the fix will be implemented via iOS.
Apple's response: an imminent patch and doubts about the new design
The update should arrive early next week. Apple hasn't publicly detailed all the changes it will include, nor has it explained the exact circumstances that triggered the outage. It's also unknown whether the patch will be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, or if it will include other fixes for devices compatible with iOS 27.
The issue is unrelated to the phone's normal unlocking process from the lock screen. This has led engineers to suspect the interaction between iOS 27 and the new components. System logs can appear after a restart and are helpful in locating the error, although Apple has not shared any details.
While a solution is being developed , affected owners are advised to keep their systems updated and wait for the fix. They can also continue using their passcode to access applications or services that require authentication.
The case is reminiscent of other recent incidents where Apple has had to release corrective patches. This time, everything indicates that the problem will be resolved without the need for replacements, but the situation has generated concern among early adopters of the company's most advanced models.
The launch of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max has left a bittersweet taste for some users. Crashes and restarts associated with Face ID have forced Apple to act quickly, confirming a software bug that will be fixed in the coming days. Although the redesign of the under-display sensor coincided with the problem, the company rules out a physical defect and is confident that the update will restore normal functionality to affected devices.