Overview
- Users of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max reported the phones freezing and hard-rebooting after Face ID failed, with affected units leaving kernel‑panic logs in Settings > Analytics.
- Journalists and at least one outlet reproduced the problem by blocking Face ID during app unlocks and observed the device become unresponsive before restarting.
- Apple told reporters it will issue a software fix early next week and analytics traces show a candidate build labeled iOS 27.0.1 is already in testing.
- The Pro models moved the infrared Face ID camera under the display, which raised questions about hardware, but reporting and Apple characterize the issue as a software bug rather than a confirmed hardware fault.
- Some customers received replacements at Apple Stores despite Apple saying a software update should resolve the crashes and users are advised to wait for the iOS patch rather than swap devices.