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iPhone XR Disable the Face ID system on IPhone XR?

aphexacid

aphexacid

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 31, 2007
936
22
Chicago
Hello all,

I’ve been thinking about picking up an iPhone XR to replace my iPhone 7plus.

I don’t like the Face ID feature of the “X” phones. And after looking around a bit, it seems that even after you disable it completely, it still is shooting light at your eyes.

I get ocular migraines, and things like this are a major trigger (flickering etc). When it happens, it completely takes over my vision and I can’t do anything for at least a half hour.

I haven’t kept up with any of the “X” phone stuff, so if you guys can enlighten me, I’d really appreciate it. The XR looks like a really cool phone, but if this can’t truly be disabled, it’s not an option.

I’ve thought about covering up the corresponding sensors, but they seem too close to other important sensors, and tape or something would look terrible!
[doublepost=1562126768][/doublepost]Here is one person that has the same exact problem as I do, and same situation with the phone

 
aphexacid said:
I get ocular migraines, and things like this are a major trigger (flickering etc). When it happens, it completely takes over my vision and I can’t do anything for at least a half hour.
Click to expand...
Wow, that’s not good.
Definitely write a feedback to Apple. Get in touch with them through various channels like the online chat genius, etc. I’m sure this is something they would want feedback for. In the meantime, the 8 Plus is still available if you’re looking for an upgrade.
 
In the video that I posted, does that flashing IR light have anything to do with Face ID? Or is it just a proximity sensor?

I just want to know if the Face ID system and all of its sensors really get disabled when you disable it in settings.

I know we need the proximity sensor for making calls etc so the screen turns off
 
None of those sensors can be truly turned off unless the iPhone is dead. But, I have no idea what that red flash light thing on that guy’s iPhone. It looks frightening a_f. I have tried my own and never see such thing.
With that being said, I strongly suggest you drive to a nearby Apple Store and check iPhone XR out yourself as not many people would believe this issue you described here. So rare.
 
aphexacid said:
Hello all,

I’ve been thinking about picking up an iPhone XR to replace my iPhone 7plus.

I don’t like the Face ID feature of the “X” phones. And after looking around a bit, it seems that even after you disable it completely, it still is shooting light at your eyes.

I get ocular migraines, and things like this are a major trigger (flickering etc). When it happens, it completely takes over my vision and I can’t do anything for at least a half hour.

I haven’t kept up with any of the “X” phone stuff, so if you guys can enlighten me, I’d really appreciate it. The XR looks like a really cool phone, but if this can’t truly be disabled, it’s not an option.

I’ve thought about covering up the corresponding sensors, but they seem too close to other important sensors, and tape or something would look terrible!
[doublepost=1562126768][/doublepost]Here is one person that has the same exact problem as I do, and same situation with the phone

Click to expand...
Just to say I get occular migraines as well, they really are nasty but the light from the sensors does not trigger them, its more bright visible light that does like a stobe light, a briht TV, or sunlight off a car window that kind of thing, oh and my 27" iMac does as well. when reading sometimes. You should be fine with FaceID, I noticed no increase in them, I don't think infrared causes them anyway tbh.
 
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I’d honestly be really really surprised if the Face ID sensors gave you headaches. They’re extremely low power and work in the infrared spectrum, which tons of devices you probably already own do. As a test, try pointing your TV remote at your eyes and press a button. TV remotes work on a very similar frequency of light (and usually at a higher power than Face ID), so unless you start getting a headache from that, you likely wouldn’t get one from the Face ID systems. With that said, an OLED screen could potentially cause issues with PWM, but since the XR has an LCD you’d probably be fine. I’d just go check one out in the store and see if you start getting any issues. If you get the device and issues arise then, there’s always the two week return window, so you could always take it back
 
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Shirasaki said:
None of those sensors can be truly turned off unless the iPhone is dead. But, I have no idea what that red flash light thing on that guy’s iPhone. It looks frightening a_f. I have tried my own and never see such thing.
With that being said, I strongly suggest you drive to a nearby Apple Store and check iPhone XR out yourself as not many people would believe this issue you described here. So rare.
Click to expand...

The Face ID module uses infrared, iirc only a handful in the world can see it with their naked eye

Otherwise only cameras pick them up
 
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aphexacid said:
In the video that I posted, does that flashing IR light have anything to do with Face ID? Or is it just a proximity sensor?
Click to expand...
I think it’s the proximity sensor. FaceID uses a flood illumination, not a flashing light. Both are invisible to the naked eye.
 
Get an 8 plus or put a wide rubber band around ALL the sensors. Or tape.
I frequently have all my sensors covered when I have to lash my 6+ to a ice pack when using it in the desert heat and covering all the front sensors doesn't affect anything that I've noticed. Of course my phone doesn't have FaceID, but it does have a proximity detector (I assume) that doesn't seem to be necessary in real world use at all. Mine's always covered up and I haven't noticed anything unusual.
An 8 plus wil make it easy to deal with your problem. The XR (which is an inferior phone) will likely exacerbate it unless you tape up the front notch
 
You can disable Face ID and attention awareness.

I'd suggest you try them out at the Apple Store...

Nevertheless, iPhones have had IR flashing lights since the dawn of time (i.e. proximity and light sensors) and they have not been an issue so far.
 
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EldonChew said:
The Face ID module uses infrared, iirc only a handful in the world can see it with their naked eye

Otherwise only cameras pick them up
Click to expand...
That’s amazing those people able to see infrared Spectrum with naked eyes. I can’t.
Anyway, wish OP the best.
 
now i see it said:
Of course my phone doesn't have FaceID, but it does have a proximity detector (I assume) that doesn't seem to be necessary in real world use at all.
Click to expand...

The proximity sensor is what causes the screen on your phone to shut off when you have the phone up to your face while on a phone call, so you don't press things on the screen with your face while talking on the phone.
 
I’ve just tried looking into this with my XS Max using my iPad as the Camera. Basically the sensor that continues to flash is the Proximity Sensor, it’s constantly adjusting the screen tone and brightness according to the light where you are so it constantly goes off, the FaceID sensors seem to only trigger when Unlocking, and even then once they have tried to get your face and they don’t , they stop firing and even when they do capture your face , they stop firing immediately after unlocking.

But as a suggested above, it’s best to go try it out at a store.
 
When I got mine I watched footage of myself unlocking it in the dark because I was curious what the infrared light looked like (my home camera I have security uses infrared for night vision). It's pretty jarring seeing the flash that really happens but you can't see anything when you're the user. I've never even remotely thought it looked like my screen was flickering.
 
MisterSavage said:
When I got mine I watched footage of myself unlocking it in the dark because I was curious what the infrared light looked like (my home camera I have security uses infrared for night vision). It's pretty jarring seeing the flash that really happens but you can't see anything when you're the user. I've never even remotely thought it looked like my screen was flickering.
Click to expand...

Yup I remember watching the first review of Face ID:

H2OE43c.gif


If you can't see it: https://i.imgur.com/H2OE43c.gifv
 
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