How to Use Apple Pay on iPhone Without Face ID or Touch ID
Apple Pay is designed to use Face ID or Touch ID as a quick security check, but biometric authentication is not the only way to approve a payment. If Face ID fails, Touch ID is unavailable, or you are wearing a mask or gloves, your iPhone can usually authorize the transaction with its device passcode.
The process varies slightly depending on whether your iPhone has Face ID, a Home button, or an older version of iOS. The key is to start the Apple Pay checkout process, choose the passcode option when it appears, and then hold the correct card near the contactless reader.
Your bank cards and payment details remain protected during this process. Apple Pay does not send your actual card number to the shop, and the passcode is entered on your iPhone rather than shared with the payment terminal.
What Apple Pay Uses For Security
Apple Pay normally asks for a biometric check before sending payment authorization to a contactless terminal. Face ID scans your face on supported iPhone models, while Touch ID checks your fingerprint on iPhones with a Home button. Both methods are intended to confirm that the person holding the phone is authorized to use the card.
The iPhone passcode acts as a backup authentication method. This is useful when Face ID cannot recognize you, Touch ID does not read your finger, or you have intentionally disabled biometric unlocking. You do not need to remove and add the card again simply because a biometric check is unavailable.
Your passcode should be kept private. Anyone who knows the device passcode may be able to authorize Apple Pay purchases, depending on the device settings and cards in Wallet. Avoid entering it where another person can easily watch the screen, especially in busy shops or public transport stations.
Paying With Face ID Turned Off
On an iPhone with Face ID, begin by double-clicking the side button. Your default card should appear on the screen. The phone will normally try to scan your face, but you can use the passcode route if the scan does not work.
Look for the option to pay with a passcode, which may appear after Face ID fails or after you tap the authentication area on the payment screen. Tap that option, enter the iPhone passcode, and then hold the top of the phone near the contactless reader. Keep the phone in position until the screen shows Done or a checkmark.
If the passcode option is not immediately visible, press the side button twice again and wait for the Wallet payment screen to load. On some iOS versions, you may need to tap the card or authentication prompt before the passcode choice appears. The wording can vary slightly by iPhone model and software version.
You can also temporarily disable Face ID before starting a purchase. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off and emergency options appear, then release the buttons. The next time the iPhone requires authentication, it will ask for the passcode instead of using Face ID. This is also a useful privacy step if you do not want the phone to unlock through facial recognition.
Paying With Touch ID Unavailable
For an iPhone with Touch ID, double-click the Home button to open the default Apple Pay card. Place your finger on the Touch ID sensor as usual. If the fingerprint is not recognized, look for a passcode option on the payment screen and select it.
Enter the device passcode when prompted, then hold the top of the iPhone near the card reader. The payment is approved after the terminal and the iPhone communicate successfully. On some Home button models, you may need to tap the card on screen before the passcode prompt is shown.
If Touch ID keeps failing, check that your finger and the sensor are clean and dry. A case, screen protector, moisture, or a damaged Home button can interfere with fingerprint recognition. You can still use the passcode alternative, but repeated hardware problems may also affect unlocking and other functions that depend on Touch ID.
The process is different from removing Touch ID fingerprints in Settings. Deleting saved fingerprints does not remove Apple Pay cards, but it means the passcode will become the main way to authorize payments. If you disable the iPhone passcode entirely, Apple Pay payment cards are removed from the device for security reasons.
Adjusting Wallet Settings Before A Purchase
Open Settings, select Wallet & Apple Pay, and review the options available on your iPhone. Turn on Double-Click Side Button for Face ID models or Double-Click Home Button for supported Touch ID models if you want quick access to Wallet from the lock screen.
The Allow Access When Locked section can include Wallet. When this setting is enabled, you can start an Apple Pay transaction without unlocking the phone first. Authentication is still required before payment, so allowing Wallet on the lock screen does not remove the security check.
If the Wallet shortcut is disabled, unlock the iPhone and open the Wallet app manually. Select a card, then follow the authentication instructions. The passcode option should still be available when the iPhone cannot use Face ID or Touch ID.
Settings labels can change between iOS releases. If you cannot find Wallet & Apple Pay, use the search field at the top of Settings and type Wallet. Also check that the iPhone has a device passcode enabled. Apple Pay cannot work as intended without this basic security feature.
| iPhone setup | Start Apple Pay | Backup authentication | Finish the payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face ID model | Double-click the side button | Tap the passcode option and enter the iPhone passcode | Hold the top of the iPhone near the reader |
| Touch ID model | Double-click the Home button | Choose the passcode option when Touch ID fails | Hold the top of the iPhone near the reader |
| Face ID temporarily disabled | Double-click the side button | Enter the device passcode | Wait for the checkmark or Done message |
| Wallet shortcut unavailable | Open Wallet after unlocking | Authenticate with the passcode | Select the card and use the contactless terminal |
Choosing A Card And Completing Payment
Apple Pay normally displays your default card first. To use another card, open Wallet, tap the card you want, and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or the passcode. You can also change the default card by going to Settings, Wallet & Apple Pay, and selecting Default Card.
After authentication, place the top edge of the iPhone close to the contactless reader. The NFC antenna is generally near the top of the device, so moving that area toward the terminal works better than pressing the center or bottom of the phone against it.
Wait for the checkmark, Done message, or a short confirmation sound. Removing the iPhone too quickly can interrupt the communication between the phone and the terminal. If the terminal asks you to insert or swipe a card, the shop may not support contactless payments for that transaction, or the payment may have been declined.
Some merchants set their own verification limits, and certain transactions may require a PIN or additional confirmation at the terminal. That requirement comes from the card issuer or payment network, not from the Face ID or Touch ID setting. Follow the instructions shown on the reader if it asks for another step.
When Passcode Payments Do Not Work
First, confirm that the iPhone passcode is correct and that the card is still visible in Wallet. If the card has disappeared, it may have been removed after a security event, a device reset, an iOS update issue, or a change to the Apple Account. You may need to add and verify the card again with your bank.
Check the card’s expiration date, available funds, and transaction status through the card issuer’s app or customer service. A bank can decline Apple Pay even when the physical card works, particularly after suspicious activity, a replacement card, or a change in account settings.
A weak or missing contactless signal can also cause problems. Remove a thick case or magnetic accessory temporarily, position the top of the iPhone directly over the reader, and wait several seconds. Try another supported terminal if the first one does not respond.
Restart the iPhone and install any available iOS update if the problem continues. Make sure the merchant accepts contactless payments and that Apple Pay is supported in your country or region. If several cards fail at different terminals, contact Apple Support or the card issuer; if only one card fails, the bank is usually the better first contact.
Important Limits And Practical Safety Tips
Passcode authorization works for ordinary Apple Pay purchases in stores, apps, and websites that support Apple Pay. It does not mean every Apple Pay feature ignores biometric requirements. Express Mode for some transit cards, access cards, and passes can follow separate rules configured by the issuer or transport system.
When a payment is made, Apple Pay uses a device-specific account number and a transaction-specific security code instead of sending the physical card number to the merchant. This helps protect the card details if a shop’s payment system is compromised. The merchant may still receive information needed to process the order, such as your name or billing address for an online purchase.
Do not give your passcode to a cashier or enter it into the payment terminal. The only passcode prompt that should be used for this process is the one displayed directly on your trusted iPhone. If someone asks you to unlock the phone or hand it over, cancel the transaction and speak with the merchant or bank.
- Enable a strong alphanumeric or longer numeric passcode if you regularly use Apple Pay.
- Keep iOS updated so Wallet and contactless payment security receive current fixes.
- Set the correct default card and check its expiration date before traveling.
- Turn off Wallet access from the lock screen if you prefer a more restrictive setup.
- Contact the card issuer quickly if an unfamiliar Apple Pay transaction appears.
With a device passcode enabled, Face ID and Touch ID are convenient options rather than the only ways to approve a purchase. The next time biometric authentication is unavailable, open Wallet, choose the passcode option, and hold the top of the iPhone near the contactless reader. That simple fallback can keep Apple Pay working without needing to carry the physical card.