Hello Face is a popular facial recognition app that allows users to unlock their phones just by looking at the camera. While many find it convenient, some users may wish to uninstall Hello Face for privacy or security reasons. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to fully uninstall Hello Face on both iPhone and Android devices.
Why Would You Want to Uninstall Hello Face?
There are a few key reasons why someone may want to uninstall Hello Face:
- Privacy concerns – Facial recognition data is very personal. Some users may feel uncomfortable having this data stored and accessed by an app.
- Security issues – There have been concerns raised about the security of facial recognition apps. Some fear the data could be hacked.
- Don’t use the app – If you simply don’t use Hello Face, you may wish to uninstall it to free up space on your phone.
- Buggy performance – Like any app, Hello Face may have technical issues that cause freezing, crashing or other annoyances.
Ultimately, the choice to keep or remove Hello Face comes down to personal preference and comfort level. Those who are very concerned about privacy or security may opt for removal.
How to Uninstall Hello Face on iPhone
Uninstalling Hello Face on an iPhone only takes a few steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap “Face ID & Passcode”.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Scroll down and tap “Set Up Face ID”.
- On the Face ID setup screen, tap “Reset Face ID”.
- Confirm that you want to reset Face ID by tapping “Reset Face ID” again.
- This will delete all Face ID data and uninstall Hello Face.
- You can also go into Settings > General > iPhone Storage and tap on Hello Face. Tap “Delete App” to remove it.
And that’s it! Once you reset Face ID and restart your iPhone, Hello Face will be completely removed along with all associated facial recognition data. Your phone’s password/passcode will go back to being the only way to unlock your device.
Uninstalling Hello Face on Android
The process is very similar for uninstalling Hello Face from an Android device:
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap “Biometrics and security” or “Security & biometrics”.
- Tap “Face unlock”.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Tap “Delete face data”.
- Confirm that you want to permanently delete the face data.
- You may also want to uncheck “Face unlock” to disable it.
- Finally, you can go into Settings > Apps & Notifications and tap “See all apps”. Locate Hello Face and tap “Uninstall”.
Once the facial recognition data is deleted, Hello Face will no longer be functional on your device. The app itself can then be uninstalled normally through the Apps section of your Settings.
Will Uninstalling Disable Face Unlock Entirely?
Uninstalling Hello Face itself will not necessarily disable all facial recognition on your phone. Both iOS and Android have built-in facial recognition capabilities that operate separately from third party apps like Hello Face.
On an iPhone with Face ID enabled, uninstalling Hello Face does not affect the system-level Face ID. Your phone will revert to using the Apple native facial recognition for unlocking and authentication.
Similarly, many Android phones come with face unlock integrated into the operating system. Removing Hello Face typically will not disable the manufacturer’s facial recognition. Your phone will go back to just using the built-in face unlock option.
However, some older Android models may not have facial recognition without Hello Face. In those cases, uninstalling the app disables face unlock entirely. The phone will then rely solely on your lock screen password or pattern.
Will I Lose Any Data When Uninstalling Hello Face?
When you uninstall Hello Face through the proper steps, the app’s facial recognition data is deleted. However, this does not remove any other data associated with your account.
Contacts, saved preferences, history and any other account details remain saved in your Hello Face profile. The only thing lost is the biometric face scan used for unlocking your phone. Your account and personal data is unaffected.
If you wish to permanently delete your entire Hello Face account, you will need to do so directly through the app or website before uninstalling. This will erase your personal data from their servers.
Otherwise, your information remains in Hello Face’s system even if you remove the mobile app from your device. Make sure to fully close out your account if you wish to eliminate your data trail.
Will I Still Be Able to Use Third Party Apps?
Removing Hello Face does not affect your ability to continue using any other apps on your iPhone or Android device. It only disables that particular facial recognition utility.
All of your other apps and programs will continue working normally. Hello Face does not provide any critical functionality required for third party apps to operate.
A few specific apps may have been integrated with Hello Face’s API to leverage the facial recognition for biometric authentication. With Hello Face uninstalled, those apps would revert to alternative login methods like passcode, touch ID or fingerprint.
Aside from those isolated cases, uninstalling Hello Face has no impact on the functionality of other apps. They will remain installed and fully usable after Hello Face is removed from your phone.
Can I Reinstall Hello Face Later On?
If you change your mind later on, you can easily reinstall Hello Face after uninstalling it. On iPhone, just head to the App Store and download Hello Face again for free.
On Android, go to the Google Play Store, search for Hello Face and reinstall it. Just like any other app, you can delete and re-add it anytime.
When reinstalling Hello Face, you will have to set up facial recognition again from scratch. Your previous face data does not carry over.
However, your account details should still be intact if you chose not to delete your full Hello Face account. So you can sign in with your same credentials, then run through the face scanner again.
Are There Alternative Facial Recognition Apps?
If you decide to permanently move on from Hello Face, there are alternative facial recognition apps available:
Key Facial Recognition App Options Include:
| App | Platforms | Key Features |
| FaceLock | Android, iOS | Very accurate facial scanning technology, enhanced security options |
| FaceKey | Android | Stores facial data locally rather than in the cloud, fast unlocking |
| Luxand | Android, iOS | Advanced liveness detection, face anti-spoofing capability |
| Face Unlock | Android | Works even in low light, completely free |
| Visage | iOS | Offers facial recognition for apps beyond just unlocking, 3D face mapping |
These apps provide functionality similar to Hello Face, often with enhanced security features. Read reviews and compare options to find the best Hello Face alternative based on your priorities.
Can I Uninstall Hello Face Without Disabling Face Unlock?
On iPhone models with Apple’s Face ID technology, it is possible to uninstall Hello Face without losing all facial recognition capability.
When you reset Face ID after removing Hello Face, your iPhone will revert to using the native Face ID powered by Apple. This allows face unlock even without that specific third party app.
For Android devices without an integrated face unlock feature, uninstalling Hello Face unfortunately does disable biometric facial recognition entirely.
However, many newer Android models do come equipped with built-in face unlock powered by the Google Pixel 4’s advanced facial recognition technology. On those phones, deleting Hello Face does not affect the system-level face unlock.
So in summary:
- iPhone – Uninstalling Hello Face preserves Face ID
- Newer Android – Uninstalling Hello Face preserves system facial recognition
- Older Android – Uninstalling Hello Face disables face unlock
Check if your Android device manufacturer has its own integrated face unlock before removing Hello Face to avoid losing that functionality.
Is There Any Risk Uninstalling Hello Face?
There are no major risks to uninstalling the Hello Face app from your iPhone or Android device through the proper steps. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to fully delete your face data – Leaving facial recognition data on your device could pose a security risk if your phone is lost or stolen.
- Back up any important account data – If you plan to delete your full Hello Face account, make sure to download any photos or information you want to keep.
- Understand the loss of convenience – Losing face unlock means reverting to entering a PIN or password each time.
- Check app integrations – A small number of apps may lose functionality if they relied on Hello Face facial recognition.
As long as you fully erase the facial recognition data and understand the privacy trade-offs, there is no serious danger to removing Hello Face from your mobile device. Take the proper steps outlined above for a smooth, safe uninstall process.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Hello Face is ultimately a personal choice based on your priorities and comfort level with facial recognition technology. The process to fully remove Hello Face is straightforward on both iPhone and Android.
Keep in mind that you will lose convenience of unlocking your phone with just your face. You may also need to reconfigure a few integrated apps that used Hello Face for biometric authentication.
But for many users, enhanced privacy and security outweigh the friction of entering a passcode to unlock their phone. Take time to consider the pros and cons before choosing to keep or remove Hello Face from your mobile device.