Hands-On With the Apple Watch iPhone Unlocking Feature in iOS 14.5

[kevcube]

The nose definitely seems to play a big part in Face ID, as when my mask covers my mouth and nose (as it should), Face ID doesn’t recognize my face. However, like in your experience, if the mask isn’t covering my nose, Face ID generally works fine. It’s actually a pretty fascinating case study in how computer vision, and specifically facial recognition, works.

hmm.. I hear what you're saying but I wanna get pedantic about what computer vision means lol. To me, computer vision is using a camera and interpreting an image. Where this is using an IR camera to pick up a depth map based on a dot-matrix projection. I guess I'll consider it computer vision, because it is an optical sensor.

😛

 

[innovationwho]

This should be pushed out immediately. Not a beta.

 

[CopyChief]

These days I rarely use my phone when I’m out with a mask on… with the exception of Sam’s Club, which has a great Scan and Go app. As you shop, you scan items and place them in your cart. As you leave you “slide to pay” and then they scan a confirmation code as you leave. This ordinarily meant unlocking the phone several times throughout a shopping trip - previously with FaceID it was fine, but MaskID always forced me to enter my passcode. A small hassle, but a hassle nonetheless.

I went to Sam’s today with the beta on my phone and my watch, and it worked great! The phone unlocked instantly and my watched tapped gently to let me know.

A welcome new feature in these strange times.

 

[bushman4]

This is NOT a substitute for under screen Touch ID, Its a holdover till the next model iPhone but it sounds wimpy at best

 

[hatchettjack]

Works 100% of the time for me. I hesitated enabling this feature at first, but finally did and love it! I can just walk up to my Mac and it unlocks. Amazing convenience.

yeah, mine works every time also! and its an old series 3

 

[hatchettjack]

I don't wear a mask so this is no biggie for me!

 

[smoking monkey]

I was surprised when Dan said he was frustrated because it wouldn’t authenticate Apple pay and acknowledged he could just do it with his watch but doesn’t? Maybe I heard that wrong but Apple Pay on my watch is one of my most favorite features of the Apple Watch.

1000%! No need to get anything out of a pocket or a bag. It's seamless and super quick. It's an amazing feature of the watch. I can't understand why people would go to their phone first. It makes no sense.

If people shop consistently with Apple Pay, I'd recommend getting a cheap Apple Watch just for this very function. It's that convenient.

 

[Johnny907]

So I like this feature and it works well, but I wish there was a way to turn off the haptic feedback on the watch. I don't need it an it's extremely annoying.

 

[CarlJ]

I could see the usefulness of it, except more people tend to use cases on the phones as opposed to the iPad.

Are you suggesting that it’s impossible for anyone to make cases where the button is exposed?

 

[CarlJ]

A watch is kind of an expensive way to do that if you don't have it, but I'd totally get an airtag (if it's ever released) and pop it in my pocket to get that functionality -- if they can make it happen that way

The phone is authenticated to be currently attached to you, by entry of your passcode or unlocking with TouchID/FaceID on the connected iPhone. The AirTag gives no such assurance. Simply having it nearby unlocks the phone? Why not just take the password off and understand that you have zero security, at that point.

 

[lartola]

So I like this feature and it works well, but I wish there was a way to turn off the haptic feedback on the watch. I don't need it an it's extremely annoying.

There is a way. Just go to settings>sounds & haptics on your watch and turn off the ‘haptic alerts’ toggle switch. You can do it in the Watch app on the paired iphone too if you prefer.

 

[Klyster]

Ok hate apple if you want but man they’re software updates are awesome. It will add functionality to my 2 yr old watch! Beat that Samnsung

No need for updates, just seemed so obviously handy, even on a 4 year old device.

I don't hate Apple though...

 

[dwaite]

Apple allow this to work no matter what like the phone on a desk, please it would be a life saver

Apple requires basically an anti-butt-dial to keep the phone from unlocking when jostling around in a pocket, etc. This used to be a swipe or passcode, then became touchid, and now is the 'eye attention' detection of face id.

That said, you might be able to turn off the eye detection function and have this work in other scenarios when you aren't looking at your phone. Not sure.

 

[1rottenapple]

No need for updates, just seemed so obviously handy, even on a 4 year old device.

I don't hate Apple though...

I stand corrected lol

 

[Inspector60]

You don’t need a watch! Just setup an alternate face appearance while wearing a mask. Using this hack for 8 mounts and its great (works better with fabric masks)

 

[brgjoe]

Still sucks that it doesn't work with Apple Pay on the phone.

Why would I use the phone instead of Apple Pay on the watch? Because there have been times when my rewards card doesn't work on the watch for whatever reaason(s). But works on the phone. So it would be nice if this feature would work on the iPhone.

Hopefully it will at some point. Still would prefer some form of TouchID to use with it though. So much more convenient.

 

[contacos]

Interesting that it can unlock the phone itself but not apps. I have experienced the same behavior with my iPhone actually unlocking my iPhone while wearing a mask but not apps in the past. Not quite sure why apps seem to deserve more security than the phone itself. I would be more worried about the phone unlocking, giving them access to everything instead of just an app

also i get Dan, for some reason I also don’t like using my Apple Watch for ApplePay, it just doesn’t feel natural. I know it makes no sense but I don’t want to fiddle around on my wrist while the cashier waits to pick the right card. I also don’t use it on airplane ticket QR codes either. Too much fiddling around with my wrist

 

[iMacDragon]

You don’t need a watch! Just setup an alternate face appearance while wearing a mask. Using this hack for 8 mounts and its great (works better with fabric masks)

I would imagine this severely increases the risk of false positive identification though.

 

[TheOldChevy]

For me, the TouchID is a better solution: I don't need to have my face facing the phone in awkward position when I want to pay. And, if I want, I can record two of my fingers and two of my wife's fingers to unlock the family iPad.

 

[Johnny907]

There is a way. Just go to settings>sounds & haptics on your watch and turn off the ‘haptic alerts’ toggle switch. You can do it in the Watch app on the paired iphone too if you prefer.

… right, but that turns off ALL haptic alerts. I’m fine with a bump when I get a text or something I just don’t need my wrist buzzing everytime I unlock my phone.

 

[contacos]

I just tested the feature myself and all it seems to do is "look for a mask" and once it does recognise a mask, it basically disables FaceId and just unlocks it. It does not seem to do any further scanning. Just tested it with my bf and he was able to unlock the phone without problem. Also the "FaceID scan" animation is no longer there, therefore I conclude that it does not bother to try to verify the face, once it recognises a mask is being worn. Everyone needs to decide for themselves if they take convenience over security I suppose.

 

[MrCrowbar]

I have found Apple Pay on the watch a lot easier and quicker than using the phone.

And Dan, you need to start using your watch.

Yup. I've never used Apple Pay via the phone actually. Just double-tap that big watch button through the shirt sleeve and hold it close to the terminal. Love how the confirmation haptic comes instantly so you know it worked before the cashier does. I like how it doesn't really interrupt me while bagging my last items (we don't have baggers here) and how it actually is way quicker than any other payment type. And also sort of private, at least the bank only sees where and how much I spent, not the exact list of items.

It's so fast and efficient that sometimes you get confused looks and exclamations "wait, he didn't pay!?" from the people behind you in the queue. To them, it looks like the cashier is scanning the items while I bag the scanned ones and then just leave with a "thank you, have a nice day". Usually the cashier waves my paper receipt to them to make them understand it's all good.

Fumbling the phone out of my pocket and then having to be careful not to drop it or bang it against the metal ramp of the cash register while bagging my items while the next guy's items already slide down... that sounds so inconvenient.

 

[MrCrowbar]

… right, but that turns off ALL haptic alerts. I’m fine with a bump when I get a text or something I just don’t need my wrist buzzing everytime I unlock my phone.

I have mine set up so it buzzes my wrist every hour and half hour (absolutely love that "chimes" feature).
Unfortunately that stays on even when "bed time" is active and I wanna do sleep tracking with the watch. Turning the hourly haptic via menus is a little bit of a process.

So for sleep tracking I have to:
- turn on "bedtime" mode (it auto-activated do not disturb)
- turn on theatre mode (so I don't startle myself or the partner with the display going on)
- fiddle with settings or the phone app: accessibility > chimes

Does someone know a quick and easy way to turn on/off the chimes? It's not available as an automation unfortunately.

 

[The Game 161]

This is NOT a substitute for under screen Touch ID, Its a holdover till the next model iPhone but it sounds wimpy at best

Well no it’s not as it requires a mask but for those who have to use their mask a lot and need to be out the house it’s the best option

 

[MrCrowbar]

You don’t need a watch! Just setup an alternate face appearance while wearing a mask. Using this hack for 8 mounts and its great (works better with fabric masks)

OMG this was a thing!? Thank you so much!

Why didn't Apple advertise this? People have been angry at face-id for about a year now because it doesn't work with a mask on.