To add Face ID on Instagram, open your iPhone's Settings app, scroll down to "Face ID & Passcode," enter your passcode, then toggle on "Instagram" under the "Use Face ID For" list. This enables Face ID for Instagram's login and password autofill features.
How to add Face ID on Instagram
Follow these steps directly in your iPhone settings to enable Face ID for the Instagram app:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode. Enter your device passcode when prompted.
- Under the Use Face ID For section, locate Instagram in the list of apps.
- Toggle the switch next to Instagram to the ON position (green).
Once enabled, you can use face id instead of passcode to log into Instagram and autofill saved usernames and passwords. You can also manage which apps use Face ID at any time by returning to this same settings screen.
What Face ID on Instagram actually does
Enabling Face ID for Instagram allows you to use facial recognition for logging into the app and autofilling credentials. This does not lock the app itself; anyone with your unlocked phone can still open Instagram if you are already logged in.
Face ID can also be used for logging into Instagram and autofilling saved usernames and passwords, managed through the iPhone's Settings > Face ID & Passcode options. This means you can sign in to different Instagram accounts or approve password autofill with just a glance.
Importantly, this feature is entirely different from Instagram's video selfie identity verification. Instagram sometimes asks users to record a video selfie to confirm they are a real person, usually during account recovery or when suspicious activity is detected. That video selfie is for Instagram's internal verification, not for locking the app. The Face ID feature described here is a device-level security setting that controls Face ID access for Instagram's login and autofill functions.
Troubleshooting Face ID issues on Instagram
If Face ID fails to work with Instagram's login or autofill, try these common fixes:
Check the toggle is ON
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and confirm the Instagram toggle is switched to the ON position. If it is off, Face ID will not attempt to scan your face when opening the app.
Ensure your face is well-lit and unobstructed by hats, sunglasses, or masks.
Face ID works with most glasses, but heavy frames or reflective lenses can interfere. Reset Face ID data
In Settings > Face ID & Passcode, tap Reset Face ID. Then tap Set up Face ID and follow the on-screen instructions to re-scan your face. This recalibrates the facial recognition data and often resolves recognition failures.
Restart your device
Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. After a few seconds, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. A restart clears temporary software glitches that may prevent Face ID from working properly.
For managing Face ID across all your apps, including Instagram, the Settings > Face ID & Passcode menu is your central hub for using and managing Face ID. From there you can add or remove apps, reset your face data, and adjust attention settings to make Face ID more or less strict. If you continue to experience issues after trying these steps, contact Instagram support or Apple support for further assistance.
