I spent a week with an iPhone without Face ID and quickly realized just how much it shapes the way I interact with my iPhone.
1
Unlocking My Phone Felt Slower
The first noticeable change was how I unlocked my iPhone. With Face ID, unlocking happens seamlessly—you swipe up, and the phone is ready before you even think about it. With Touch ID, I had to be more deliberate. Instead of just looking at my phone, I had to place my thumb on the sensor and wait for it to register.
Face ID vs. Touch ID: Which One Is Really Better?
Most Apple users are familiar with Face ID and Touch ID, and some still miss the latter. But which authentication method comes out on top?
Touch ID is fast, sometimes even faster than Face ID in certain situations (like when lying in bed at an awkward angle). However, the difference lies in habit. With Face ID, I was used to picking up my phone and having it instantly unlock. Touch ID required an extra step, making the process feel more intentional rather than automatic.
I never really stopped and thought about whether Face ID or Touch ID is better before. However, after a week without the former, I think I know my answer.
2
Downloading Apps Was Less Convenient
One of the biggest surprises was how much I missed Face ID when downloading apps from the App Store. Normally, downloading an app is effortless: double-press the side button, glance at the screen, and you’re ready to go.
With Touch ID, the process required a slightly different approach. Instead of just looking at my phone, I had to physically place my thumb on the sensor while holding the phone at the right angle.
If my hands were wet, sweaty, or off-positioned, Touch ID sometimes failed, forcing me to reposition my thumb or enter my passcode. It wasn’t a massive inconvenience, but it made me appreciate just how frictionless Face ID is for downloading apps.
3
Checking Notifications Took More Effort
Another subtle but noticeable change was how I interacted with notifications. With Face ID, I could tap or lift my phone, and my notifications would instantly expand to show full message previews because it recognized me. It felt seamless, as if the phone intuitively knew when I was looking at it.
With Touch ID, notifications had to be fully visible all the time (less private) or remained hidden until I manually unlocked the phone. Since there was no Face ID scan to reveal them automatically, I had to press the home button each time I wanted to check a message.
4
Face-Tracking Features Were Limited
Going back to a Touch ID iPhone also meant losing some face-tracking features I had taken for granted.
For example, Portrait mode selfies weren’t as refined. Without Face ID’s TrueDepth system, edge detection wasn’t as precise, and the background blur felt less natural.
Even fun iPhone features like Animoji and Memoji didn’t work the same way. I wasn’t using them daily, but it was a reminder that Face ID is more than just a security feature. Even Snapchat’s advanced filters didn’t feel as smooth.
Despite missing Face ID in many ways, there was one surprising advantage: I spent less time mindlessly checking my phone. This allowed me to be more productive, but I didn’t have to do something as drastic as turning my iPhone into a dumb phone.
With Face ID, unlocking is so seamless that I often pick up my phone out of habit, even when I don’t have a real reason to use it. Without Face ID, the extra step of pressing the home button or entering a passcode created just enough friction to make me pause and reconsider.
As a result, I was more intentional about when and why I reached for my phone. This small change helped me cut down on unnecessary screen time. Of course, this “benefit” comes at the cost of convenience. But if you’re looking to be more mindful about your phone habits, the minor inconvenience of not having Face ID might actually work in your favor.
