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One failed facial recognition attempt is all it takes for the new iPhone to freeze and restart. Since its release, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max owners have been reporting this issue, and some have already exchanged their devices. Now it's confirmed: the fix will be a software update, and it will be available in just a few days.
Apple has confirmed to 9to5Mac that a software update to fix the bug is in development and should be released early next week. According to current reports, the restarts following failed Face ID recognition affect both Pro models, but not all devices.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple confirms a software update to address the restart issues on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max; it is expected to be released early next week.
- The error occurs when Face ID cannot complete a recognition process: The iPhone stops responding to input and restarts after a few seconds.
- Therefore, an exchange of the device is not necessary.
This is how the error manifests itself
Others were able to reproduce the problem by covering their face with their hand during a Face ID verification, such as when opening the Passwords app. The iPhone then stopped responding to touch, rebooted hard after a few seconds, and logged a crash. However, on my iPhone 18 Pro Max, the same action did not trigger a restart.
According to reports from social media, the error is quite widespread, but does not occur on every device. Some customers have already exchanged their iPhones for new ones at Apple because they suspected a hardware defect.
Faster than the iPhone 16
Unexpected restarts shortly after launch are not a new phenomenon. With the iPhone 16, reports persisted for weeks in 2024, and even replacement devices exhibited the same error. It was only fixed with iOS 18.1 and its bug fixes for the iPhone 16 series.
| Model | Sales launch | Update to prevent restarts |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | September 20, 2024 | iOS 18.1 on October 28, 2024 |
| iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max | September 18, 2026 | announced for early next week |
Between the iPhone 16's release and the fix, there were roughly five and a half weeks. If the update arrives as announced, it would take about one and a half weeks this time. A similar issue with the Apple Watch has already been resolved: watchOS 27.0.1 fixes the restarts of the Series 12 and Ultra 4.
Wait instead of exchanging
The confirmation answers the question of hardware or software, and therefore also the question of an exchange. A replacement device runs the same software, so a trip to the Apple Store will primarily cost time.
Was your iPhone 18 Pro affected by the restarts – and are you now waiting for the update, or have you already exchanged the device? Let us know in the comments how things went for you.
