Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
It's a convenience. If you hold National Security secrets on your telephone, don't use faceid or touchid. Use a complex password only. Also, don't put servers in mom 'n pop stores either. That's not a good idea.

Seriously, I laugh when people throw out dramatic scenarios about the legitimacy of this. IF A COP POINTS IT AT ME AN RUNS AWAYY, WHAT DO YOU DO THEN HUH? GOTCHYA!!1

I mean, use a complex password if you are planning an attack or something. Otherwise if you want your cat/dick pics to stay safe, you are good with touch/face id.

Why do you take pics of your cat's dick?
 
Wouldn't most incidents of theft involve grabbing and running immediately? Not like the theif wants to hang around. And then if it's a mugging they could just demand you unlock it with Touch ID/ passcode anyway...
 
Wouldn't most incidents of theft involve grabbing and running immediately? Not like the theif wants to hang around. And then if it's a mugging they could just demand you unlock it with Touch ID/ passcode anyway...

Yes. These are the most likely situations. It was both an absurd question by the reported, and equally as disturbing that Apple had the answer they had in response to the question. The ONLY acceptable answer here is to give the thief whatever they want in a holdup situation where they not only have the time to demand the phone from you, but also ask you to unlock it.

In the former question, there's some wiggle room. I've had friends who've had their phones stolen in a very surgical way, after being targeted and followed. In that case their phone was stolen on the Paris Metro, and they never knew it. Had the thief shouted at them to look, holding the phone up, it could have been unlocked as they ran out of the crowed train before the doors closed and the victim were able to follow, or even realized what happened. Likely? No. Possible? Yes.
 
Look buddy, I didn’t come here for your sarcasm. I just need a powerful tool that helps me do my job more efficiently.

Oh, I think you did come for the sarcasm, but ok, I'll bite. How do you unlock your phone now? Without FaceID and with all your welding gear on? Inquiring minds want to know.
 
This is the answer we've all been waiting for!

Now the question remains if my sunglasses work with FaceID, and how it will affect false negatives.
 
The parts of keynotes with Craig on stage are always the best in my opinion. And the "fail" with FaceID - for me it actually shows that not the whole show was scripted, which is something I appreciate a lot.
On the other hand, they should replace Phil on stage. I cannot see any excitement in his presentations.
You know, I like Phil also. Eddie, though, I cannot stand. They need to eliminate that guy from Apple, pronto. He always seems like he just eat a massive meal, and is trying to talk around burps. Disgusting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shamus99
The theft part is valid when you have someone with a gun asking you to unlock
You should have a passphrase that unlocks the phone but also notifies 911 and sends gps tracking otherwise i don t see the benefit
 
The Keynote featured some pretty impressive technology advancements for the Watch and the iPhone. For me...and I am just talking for myself here....most of these advancements feel like solutions in search of a problem. Face ID is the most glaring example. Touch ID works famously for me.

However, I am probably not the target market for the latest Apple devices, which is the reason I am happy they continue to sale entry level equipment. This summer, I bought the base iPad 2017 and replaced my phone with a 6s. My Apple Watch is a series 1. These three devices cover almost all of my tech needs, so I am happy as a pig in slop. I am sure there are folks that appreciate and want these latest innovations, but it's hard for me to see how they will make my life any easier or better.
 
If you're not fast enough to disable it, then they just point it at your face to unlock it. Works perfectly while your hands are ductaped or handcuffed behind your back.... thanks Tim Cook!
I mean, previously if you were tied up they could just put your finger on it. Not sure what the big deal is, unless you're being sarcastic.
 
So then it can easily be used while sleeping. It can easily be used by cops.

fwiw, TouchID can be used while sleeping.

also, cops can force you to unlock a phone via touchID.. like, legally.. (they can't, however, force you to reveal a passcode.. 5th amendment and all)
that said, there's only been one instance (through 2016) of a warrant being issued to unlock a phone via touchID. :rolleyes:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/05/iphone-fingerprint-search-warrant/480861/

---
i'll assume the same way cops can force you to unlock via fingerprint scan will also apply to face scanning..
 
Ok, So here's my first impression on FaceID from a security standpoint... Playing Devils advocate. Police cannot compel you to use TouchID or enter your password or pin....... but what is to stop them from holding your phone up to your face? In the US that would mean the 5th Amendment wouldn't be contravened technically.

Yes, they can compel Touch ID and similar fingerprint readers. It has been done and has been linked with examples in this very thread.
 
But what if I take a nap at my work desk with my eyes open so my boss doesn't know, but he comes over anyway and puts my phone to my face?!?!
lol.. yes, i can see that being a problematic scenario

I don't understand the basic science behind a toilet bowl so don't take it personally...
flushes via gravity.
also, the seat rim is angled instead of flat so when you sit down, it spreads you open a little more. :eek:
science.
 
I am embarrassed for many people posting here to be honest. I've been here for a long time and I swear every year the Chicken Little types both here on this forum and in the world at large are becoming a larger percentage of the population.

There are legitimate concerns with privacy regarding any device that carries our personal information. No one disagrees with that. Biometric unlocking, pattern unlocking, and so on are designed to help us have some security while also having some convenience. IF you're truly concerned about these things, put in a long passcode and use ONLY that passcode. Skip the biometric identifications or pattern unlockings altogether.

It is legal in the US and perhaps some other countries for you to be compelled to unlock a phone with Touch ID or similar, and likely will be just the same with Face ID and similar facial and retinal scanners. This is not new. The key is that Apple's seems to work better. Just a few weeks ago reviews of the Note 8 made comments about the facial and retinal scans as being gimmicks and just for publicity. So it seems they're not that much better than they were a few years ago on some devices. Maybe this will be different.

Ridiculous comments about it being useable while sleeping, or while being robbed, or whatever are honestly irrelevant. If someone wants you to use a finger, that's no more secure when you're under duress. If anything, this is better because the phone is designed to allow other bypass methods (the two button press) that will lock it for a PIN.

I'm not even of the camp that "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" people. Security is an issue and is real. But this isn't making it easier. Just disable it and ALL biometric, pattern, and short PIN numbers. Use longer PINs and guard your phone. Put nothing on it you don't want others to see. Have some common sense. Stop with the fear mongering.
 
Ok, So here's my first impression on FaceID from a security standpoint... Playing Devils advocate. Police cannot compel you to use TouchID or enter your password or pin....... but what is to stop them from holding your phone up to your face? In the US that would mean the 5th Amendment wouldn't be contravened technically.

The Fifth Amendment, which protects people from incriminating themselves during legal proceedings, prevents the government from compelling someone to turn over a memorized PIN or passcode. But fingerprints, like other biometric indicators—DNA, handwriting samples, your likeness—have long been considered fair game, because they don’t reveal anything in your mind.
 
Guys, if you are seriously this paranoid about theft and someone getting your biometrics to unlock your phone, TouchID isn't much (if at all) better. Let's be realistic here:

1. If it's the police you're worried about in almost all cases you'll have enough head's up to disable FaceID. I'm glad they're making it easier to disable because I'd be scrambling to disable TouchID right now.

2. How many thieves are going to snatch your phone and point it at you to unlock? If you did that to me, there's a high likelihood I'd be removing my phone from your dead hand. The only type of thief that's going to try something that idiotic is someone specifically targeting you and your data. If you have that problem, FaceID fares no different than TouchID. Most thieves want your phone. Data thieves are generally going to go after it through other routes and that generally means compromising networks and servers or infecting your devices with malware.

3. If someone is dead set on getting you to reveal your data, at the point you're tied to a chair and they have a blowtorch I'm pretty sure you'll give them your passcode if needed.

You have to be looking at the phone AND have your eyes open. Short of being someone who sleeps with their eyes open, that's pretty good security. If it's not enough, TouchID probably wasn't either. Use a passcode or a legitimate password if you need paranoid security and are okay sacrificing the convenience factor. You'd think half the people on this forum were working for intelligence agencies or something. And they're also making the somewhat false assumption that TouchID was somehow more secure in the first place. In general, it's not.

My primary concern with FaceID is speed and accuracy. The original TouchID was "meh." The TouchID on the 6S and the newer MacBook Pros is impressively fast. I'm very, very curious about the third-party reviews.
 
OK, that seals it... I'm now completely sold on Face ID over Touch ID. I will be preordering this puppy.
The good thing is that I don't have to take off my gloves in the winter. Second problem are the sweaty of wet hands after running. I might preorder it after I see some reviews on November the 3rd. One more thing you can do is to go to the Apple Retail Store to test it out before you decide.
 
Last edited:
I am embarrassed for many people posting here to be honest. I've been here for a long time and I swear every year the Chicken Little types both here on this forum and in the world at large are becoming a larger percentage of the population.

...

I'm not even of the camp that "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" people. Security is an issue and is real. But this isn't making it easier. Just disable it and ALL biometric, pattern, and short PIN numbers. Use longer PINs and guard your phone. Put nothing on it you don't want others to see. Have some common sense. Stop with the fear mongering.

I wish I could have give this 20 or more likes. Seriously.
 
  • Like
Reactions: odin
I think for many, it will simply be a matter of adapting to using FaceID.

I'm not suggesting FaceID will be perfect or easier, I haven't used it, but with anything (including Touch ID) there's an adjustment period. Once you're use to something

The current iPhone 7 / 7Plus "non button" was an issue for some, until they got used to it.

We could even go as far as saying typing & using a touch screens were, at the beginning, aggravating for those accustomed to an actual physical keyboard. Yet people adapt, & I see this as no different.

If this turns out to be a complete disaster, next years model will reflect that (We know they were working on implementing touch ID under the screen & it obviously wasn't ready for consumers) & they will adjust accordingly. So in about 12 months.....

I usually use a passcode and I use apple watch for apple pay, so I wasn't using touch ID that much to begin with. If I get the X, I'll set up Face ID and try it out for a while.......If it works great! If not, I'll use a passcode.
 
This is basically what I've been repeatedly harping on in the forums for the past day. It's kinda sad that so many people don't know the basic science behind things they use every day like TV remote controls.

So was it kind of sad that people didn't expect their antennas to not work on iPhone 4? Or maybe their iPhone 6 not bend?
 
Last edited:
I’m curious what effect the constant exposure to that IR will have on the eyes in the long run over years.
 
Honestly , the thief in question can take your finger and force you to put it on the touch id. Face ID , Touch ID ... if you're being robbed - chances are- they'll get you to open your phone.

If you're worried don't use then, go back to the old fashioned pin code...
 
So was it kind of sad that people didn't expect their antennas to not work on iPhone 4? Or maybe their iPhone 6 not bend?
No—but I just read a straw man argument that was pretty sad.

I’ll wait while you Google that and look forward to a coherent response.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.