Other Face ID (set up alternate appearance) with face mask fail.

[quietstormSD]

So we most of us are wearing face masks in public now. My faceID always craps out now outside in public because I have a face mask on and I always have to enter my password. So I decided to add one of my face with a mask on using the "set up alternate appearance" option. However, whenever you do, it asks you to "remove obstruction from your face."

In this time of COVID-19, Apple should allow us to register our face (at least with alternate) with a face mask.

 

[nicho]

So we most of us are wearing face masks in public now. My faceID always craps out now outside in public because I have a face mask on and I always have to enter my password. So I decided to add one of my face with a mask on using the "set up alternate appearance" option. However, whenever you do, it asks you to "remove obstruction from your face."

In this time of COVID-19, Apple should allow us to register our face (at least with alternate) with a face mask.

This worked for me on the day I set up and the day after. You may have more success with it... I think it no longer worked because I started using a different brand of face mask and that may have affected it somehow (shape, coverage, interference... who knows).

iPhone: How to use Face ID with a mask - 9to5Mac

This step by step guide with screenshots covers how to use Face ID with a mask on iPhone. We'll cover two ways to use Face ID with a mask.

9to5mac.com

 

[akash.nu]

In this time of COVID-19, Apple should allow us to register our face (at least with alternate) with a face mask.

No, Apple shouldn’t. A mask covered face simply doesn’t have enough data points to identify a person and that means security issues. Imagine if your phone get stolen and everything becomes available to the thief just because of your little convenience.

From Apple Pay to password management in the keychain to access to your bank everything will be out there. It’s a security disaster.

 

[nicho]

No, Apple shouldn’t. A mask covered face simply doesn’t have enough data points to identify a person and that means security issues. Imagine if your phone get stolen and everything becomes available to the thief just because of your little convenience.

From Apple Pay to password management in the keychain to access to your bank everything will be out there. It’s a security disaster.

They could augment it with a password pose or a secret hand signal.

 

[akash.nu]

They could augment it with a password pose or a secret hand signal.

What do you mean?! Like showing 2 fingers will unlock the phone?!

 

[BugeyeSTI]

So we most of us are wearing face masks in public now. My faceID always craps out now outside in public because I have a face mask on and I always have to enter my password. So I decided to add one of my face with a mask on using the "set up alternate appearance" option. However, whenever you do, it asks you to "remove obstruction from your face."

In this time of COVID-19, Apple should allow us to register our face (at least with alternate) with a face mask.

Turn FaceID off and use a passcode until you don't need to use a mask anymore

 

[nicho]

What do you mean?! Like showing 2 fingers will unlock the phone?!

Well sort of. I was half joking, but half a face and a "bunny pose" or an "OK" hand signal or a thumbs in the ear with a closed fist... the sensors should be capable of discerning between any number of 'secret' gestures.

Many banks now are using voiceprint recognition, which would be another option to use in conjunction with halffaceID.
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Turn FaceID off and use a passcode until you don't need to use a mask anymore

So instead of having FaceID on and using a passcode your solution is to... have FaceID off and use a passcode.

Groundbreaking stuff. Very helpful to OP i'm sure!

 

[akash.nu]

Well sort of. I was half joking, but half a face and a "bunny pose" or an "OK" hand signal or a thumbs in the ear with a closed fist... the sensors should be capable of discerning between any number of 'secret' gestures.

Many banks now are using voiceprint recognition, which would be another option to use in conjunction with halffaceID.

Ah if you were joking then it’s cool. But on a serious note that gesture thing is not going to work. There are only handful of gestures people know off in general and once a system like that is out it’ll still be a disaster for security.

Voice is a better option but it’s not secure enough to have direct access to all the data stored on your device. It works as a first level screening for IVR systems in general.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Well sort of. I was half joking, but half a face and a "bunny pose" or an "OK" hand signal or a thumbs in the ear with a closed fist... the sensors should be capable of discerning between any number of 'secret' gestures.

Many banks now are using voiceprint recognition, which would be another option to use in conjunction with halffaceID.
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So instead of having FaceID on and using a passcode your solution is to... have FaceID off and use a passcode.

Groundbreaking stuff. Very helpful to OP i'm sure!

Do you plan on wearing a face mask for the rest of your life? It's temporary... With your reasoning you think Apple should make FaceID less secure just because of a temporary inconvenience? By the way, your suggestion of a hand signal or a pose is much more reasonable...

 

[jr866gooner]

Can you have face ID and passcode? So if the face scan fails it reverts to passcode? Or can you press an icon these days to enter a passcode? (Android user here that's been away from ios and not experienced an iphone with face unlock)

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Can you have face ID and passcode? So if the face scan fails it reverts to passcode? Or can you press an icon these days to enter a passcode? (Android user here that's been away from ios and not experienced an iphone with face unlock)

Yes, thats the way it works. If it fails the scan it asks for a passcode

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

A quicker solution would be if the iPhone had an ‘iris’ scanner like the Galaxy Note line, this works as it identifies you through your iris which is unique like a fingerprint.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

A quicker solution would be if the iPhone had an ‘iris’ scanner like the Galaxy Note line, this works as it identifies you through your iris which is unique like a fingerprint.

And notorious insecure. Even Samsung says it shouldn't be used as primary/only security measure...

 

[44267547]

A quicker solution would be if the iPhone had an ‘iris’ scanner like the Galaxy Note line, this works as it identifies you through your iris which is unique like a fingerprint.

I wouldn’t call that a ‘solution‘, I would call that an alternative option. Iris scanning does have its use cases, but it’s not consistent and reliable enough to be a primary source of biometric security. Not to mention, I’m not entirely sure that I would trust long-term damage of the iris scanning on the eyes.

 

[DiCaprioAngel]

And notorious insecure. Even Samsung says it shouldn't be used as primary/only security measure...

I don’t use that as my only method - I have fingerprint as well, but it comes in handy when I’m out and about and need to unlock my phone to use it. I know it’s not as ‘secure’ and I don’t use my iris to verify bank purchases or anything, that’s all fingerprint. I’m just saying that in this case for the situation we are in, it’s a good alternative to use to unlock your phone so you could use your device without having to take your mask off or put in a code.
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I wouldn’t call that a ‘solution‘, I would call that an alternative option. Iris scanning does have its use cases, but it’s not consistent and reliable enough to be a primary source of biometric security. Not to mention, I’m not entirely sure that I would trust long-term damage of the iris scanning on the eyes.

I’ve been using iris scanning for almost 3 years now and have no issues with my eyes. Mind you, I’ve been wearing glasses since I was four years old so whatever “damage” I have to my eyes it’s already genetic and has been there for the majority of my life. My vision and health of my eyes are the same as it’s ever been and don’t notice any aching or strain when using this method and I use iris scanning to unlock my phone all the time. It’s a good alternative for the situation that we are in where we can’t show our face to the public.

 

[now i see it]

Millions and millions and millions of iPhone users before the 5S entered a passcode (4 digit passcode) every single time. TouchID wasn't available back then.
Entering a passcode ain't that hard.