Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for performing face recognition in low light conditions using an electronic device. One aspect provides a method including determining if a brightness level within a viewing area of the electronic device satisfies a threshold. The method includes increasing a luminance output of the electronic device from a first luminance level to a second luminance level when the brightness level does not satisfy the threshold. The method includes capturing an image at the second luminance level when the brightness level does not satisfy the threshold. The method includes capturing the image at the first luminance level when the brightness level satisfies the threshold. The method includes detecting a face in the image. The method includes determining if the face corresponds to an authorized user. The method includes unlocking the electronic device when the face corresponds to an authorized user.