Apple · iPhone
iPhone 18 Pro Freezing? How to Fix the Face ID Bug
If your iPhone 18 Pro froze and restarted on its own, it’s not just you. Apple confirmed the bug, and the fix is already out: iOS 27.0.1.
What the iPhone 18 Pro freeze bug does
It shows up when Face ID fails. Some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units stop responding to touch, then reboot a few seconds later, 9to5Mac first reported on September 23, according to Tom’s Guide. A common trigger is a failed Face ID scan inside an app, like unlocking the Passwords app, Business Today reported.
Macworld reported owners hitting two serious bugs that cause freezes and restarts, so this wasn’t a one-off.
Apple’s fix: iOS 27.0.1
Apple told 9to5Mac a software fix was coming. It arrived as iOS 27.0.1 on September 28, two weeks after iOS 27 launched, and it fixes the freezes and restarts when Face ID fails, according to Yahoo Tech and the Seoul Economic Daily.
How to fix it
- Step 1Open Settings > General > Software Update
- Step 2Install iOS 27.0.1 or later
- Frozen?Volume up, volume down, then hold the side button
- DoneFace ID fails without freezing the phone
Still freezing after the update?
Unconfirmed: some users report a separate freeze tied to widgets even after iOS 27.0.1, and Apple hasn’t commented on it, Gizchina reported.
Green or pink lines on the screen are a different story. TheStreet reported those look like a hardware problem that iOS 27.0.1 doesn’t fix, so book an Apple Support appointment.
| Problem | Fixed by iOS 27.0.1? |
|---|---|
| Freeze and restart when Face ID fails | Yes |
| Widget-related freeze | Unconfirmed, no word from Apple |
| Green or pink screen lines | No, likely hardware |
My take
My iPhone Air hasn’t done this, but if you’ve got an 18 Pro, just update tonight.
A phone this expensive shouldn’t freeze because it didn’t recognize your face. Good on Apple for fixing it fast, though.
FAQ
Why does my iPhone 18 Pro freeze and restart?
A software bug. When Face ID fails, some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units stop responding to touch and reboot a few seconds later. Apple confirmed it.
Which update fixes the iPhone 18 Pro freezing?
iOS 27.0.1, released September 28. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to install it.
How do I force restart a frozen iPhone 18 Pro?
Press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
My iPhone 18 Pro still freezes after updating. What now?
Some users report a separate freeze tied to widgets, which Apple hasn’t commented on. If you see green or pink lines on the screen, that points to hardware, so contact Apple Support.
Sources