To use Apple Pay without Face ID, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off the Apple Pay switch. After that, every Apple Pay transaction will require your device passcode instead of facial authentication.
Step-by-step: switch Apple Pay to your passcode
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your device passcode when prompted.
- Under the Use Face ID For section, toggle off Apple Pay.
Depending on your iOS version, this setting may also be labeled Wallet & Apple Pay or Contactless & Payments. Once toggled off, your iPhone will prompt for your device passcode to confirm all payments. A device passcode is a fundamental requirement for using Apple Pay, whether or not Face ID or Touch ID is enabled, so you already have one set. If you later re-enable biometric authentication, you can use face id instead of passcode for a faster, hands-free checkout.
How to pay with your passcode at a terminal
- Double-click the side button on your iPhone (for devices with Face ID).
- Hold the top of your iPhone near the contactless payment reader.
- When prompted, enter your device passcode to complete the transaction.
This process works at any contactless payment terminal that accepts Apple Pay. The passcode replaces Face ID entirely for each payment you make.
Using the passcode as a Face ID fallback
If you prefer to keep Face ID enabled for Apple Pay but want the passcode as a backup, no settings changes are needed. When Face ID fails after two unsuccessful attempts, the passcode is automatically offered as an alternative. After five unsuccessful Face ID attempts, the passcode is required. This fallback behavior is built into iOS and works without toggling anything off.
A special case: Express Transit cards
Express Transit cards, if designated, can be used for payment without requiring Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. This exception applies only to cards you have specifically set as Express Transit cards in the Wallet app. For these cards, you simply hold your iPhone near the transit reader and the payment processes automatically, no authentication needed at all.
Troubleshooting common issues
If the passcode prompt does not appear when you try to pay, check the toggle setting first: open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and confirm that Apple Pay is toggled off. If it is already off, ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version, as software updates can resolve unexpected behavior. Also remember that disabling Face ID for Apple Pay only changes the authentication method on your device; it does not affect any PIN a payment terminal might require for certain transactions. Some terminals may still ask for a separate PIN depending on the card or merchant, which is unrelated to your device passcode. If you want to learn more about using and managing Face ID on your iPhone, the same Settings menu provides all the controls for toggling Face ID on or off for other features like unlocking your device and authorizing app purchases.
