Apple has confirmed that a software update is in development to address a Face ID bug causing iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max devices to freeze and reboot, according to a report by 9to5Mac.
The issue, first noticed by users after the iPhone 18 Pro series launch, occurs when Face ID authentication fails during certain actions, such as opening the Passwords app or confirming an App Store purchase. The screen becomes unresponsive, and the device restarts to the lock screen after a few seconds.
9to5Mac reproduced the bug by covering the face to trigger a failed Face ID attempt. Crash logs labeled "panic" were also found in the device's Analytics & Improvements section.
Some users have reported that screen protectors, especially matte and privacy films, may interfere with the under-display infrared recognition. Removing the protector can help if Face ID performance has dropped.
Apple has told 9to5Mac that the problem is not a hardware fault, so users do not need to visit an Apple Store for a replacement. Server logs indicate that iOS 27.0.1 is already being tested internally, and the update is expected to roll out as early as next week, possibly on September 29.
iOS 27.0 also has another known bug: simultaneously swiping down from the top-left and top-right corners of the screen to trigger Notification Center and Control Center can cause the touchscreen to become completely unresponsive, requiring a forced restart. This is also expected to be fixed in iOS 27.0.1.
In the meantime, Apple has released watchOS 27.0.1 for Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The update addresses unexpected restart issues on those two new models and is not available for older watches.
For iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max users experiencing the Face ID freeze, the advice is to wait for the iOS 27.0.1 update rather than seeking a replacement device.
Overall, the iOS 27.0 release has been more stable than the initial iOS 26 version, and most users, especially those on iOS 26, are encouraged to upgrade.