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

[axcess99]

Can confirm.
My friend unlocked the iPhone two meters away from me.
so the FaceID doesn’t scan anything once recognizing a mask.

haven’t tested enough the maximal distance allowed to unlock yet tho..

That's a bit disappointing. I assume if they could do a half-face verification, they would have. I hope that is temporary and they will be able to have it at least learn/verify some facial features. Perhaps they assumed that since face shields completely stop IR scanning, that it would be too complicated if only that type of "mask" didn't work.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

Sad.

 

[contacos]

That's a bit disappointing. I assume if they could do a half-face verification, they would have. I hope that is temporary and they will be able to have it at least learn/verify some facial features. Perhaps they assumed that since face shields completely stop IR scanning, that it would be too complicated if only that type of "mask" didn't work.

In easy words it almost seems like a pretty basic IF ELSE command like

IF mask recognised AND Apple Watch connected
DO skip FaceID scan and unlock iPhone
ELSE
IF mask not recognised
DO FaceID scan

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Many here like being able to manipulate security with Face ID and a mask. As far as I am aware, Apple does endorse this method.

It's never worked for me. I always end up using the passcode. I didn't know if it was supposed to be 'automagic', or if I had to do anything specific, like setup another Face ID face.

Oh, but since I rarely leave the house, it's not a problem, but so many times that I have, I still have to fondle my iPhone to get the passcode in it. It seems so 1990's. 😆

 

[Rochy Bay]

I'd say like 20% of the time my phone unlocks when my mask is on. Not great

Mine shows my password on the screen. Refuse to update iOS because of all the data collection from Apple.

 

[Rochy Bay]

I'm curious about this too, "partial faceid".

More like partial bug ID lol

 

[lartola]

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.

Because it doesn’t always work. I tried that hack and it didn’t work for me. It won’t even let me setup the alternate face id appearance with the mask on; instead, when I tried to set it up an error message popped up saying that my face was obstructed.

 

[IIGS User]

I'm really looking forward to this in the next iOS update.

One of the ways I can see using it a LOT is when I shop in one of the national price club chains I go to. They've switched exclusively to non clipped coupons via their app.

I don't actively clip coupons, I never did. I think it's as tedious as sitting down and paying bills. But I DO use their app and camera based scanner to see if the stuff I was buying anyway has a coupon or deal on it. Remarkably, I seem to save a decent amount of money this way when I shop for groceries. I actually get excited when I save 8-10 bucks on a $100 food order!

But to access it, I either have to enter my long pass code or take off my mask to use face ID. Which I admit I do in a corner of the store when no one is looking, or up against a display. I know this is WRONG, but I do it anyway and just point and yell GUILTY at me.

Anyway, I can see were this will be a useful feature for me, and improve my mask wearing in public.

Myself and the wife all ready have Apple watches, so...

 

[Daniel L]

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

This wouldn't happen. The watch unlocks with a passcode or if you unlock your phone while wearing the watch. As soon as the watch senses that you're not wearing it, it locks itself for security preventing Macbook (and assuming in this case, iOS access). I doubt AirTags will have this sort of security mechanism.

 

[HiVolt]

Wow, finally. Why didn't they prioritize this feature earlier? It's obvious how much more helpful it would have been.

I was talking about this exact implementation in the early of the pandemic.

FaceID Sucks in a pandemic...

Like the topic says... Face ID sucks in pandemic when wearing masks is advised. I've been thinking, could Apple make use of an Apple Watch as a method of authenticating an iPhone? For example, say you put on your watch, and you can authenticate the watch by FaceID while unmasked, at home...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[rebelsax]

To get the Apple Pay part working you’ll also have to buy and wear the new AirPod Pro 2 ($299) that will analyze your ear wax to authenticate that it’s really you.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[aloyouis]

I usually get better than 60%. I’d say it’s about 90% overall but still not good and definitely not to Apple’s “It just works” standards. If it doesn’t work this will be fun because many iPhone users aren’t to the tech level of Mac users so I can see Apple being inundated with complaints

It works about 95% for me. When it doesn't I often realize that the watch isn't unlocked on my wrist.

 

[will_is_here]

I mean its good and all but why did it take so long?

Making routes of trust* go in two directions or loop around is tricky. They were probably making sure it was totally air-tight.

* A route of trust is the process through which privileges get carried forward from a known good interaction, e.g: my iPhone SE, unlocked 34 hours ago using a passcode, was accessed using touchID 2 hours ago, which unlocked my Apple Watch, which in turn is now unlocking my Mac.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

In real world testing today, it seems like a strong connection (Cellular or WiFi) is needed.

In other words, my phone wouldn't unlock while I was on the elevator in a building that already has garbage cellular reception and a pathetic guest WiFi network.

 

[msackey]

Regarding this video, why does it say that it's annoying that unlocking via Apple Watch does not allow authentication to make App store purchases and pay using iPhone?

First, you are not likely to purchase app store purchases with your mask on (because it's unlikely you're out and about like you would be when wearing a mask; you'll more likely be unmasked in a location you consider safer from COVID.)

Second, you don't need to pay with your iPhone when you can pay with your Apple Watch! And since you needed the Watch to do the unlocking of the phone, it means that you already have the Watch that can you use to pay.

 

[jcshas]

Seems like a nice a feature to hold us over until Apple brings Touch ID back.

 

[mrwrighty]

Not being funny but isn’t the idea that faceid or finger print secure because generally the iPhone is in your hand. If it can be unlocked with an Apple Watch the phone can be snatched or viewed as long as it is within distance of the user wearing their watch

 

[Apple_Robert]

Not being funny but isn’t the idea that faceid or finger print secure because generally the iPhone is in your hand. If it can be unlocked with an Apple Watch the phone can be snatched or viewed as long as it is within distance of the user wearing their watch

That is true. And it is probably why Apple leaves the option off by default. so that the user can decide whether or not to take such a risk.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

Seems like a nice a feature to hold us over until Apple brings Touch ID back.

Touch ID sucks, even if they improve it... Your face is always going to be better for biometric when they 3D scan like they do..

Yes, touchID is handy when you have a mask on.. But otherwise I would hate to revert to days of touchID..

 

[CaptFuzzyBuns]

I'd say like 20% of the time my phone unlocks when my mask is on. Not great

Really? Not once for me.

 

[jcshas]

Touch ID sucks, even if they improve it... Your face is always going to be better for biometric when they 3D scan like they do..

Yes, touchID is handy when you have a mask on.. But otherwise I would hate to revert to days of touchID..

Based on recent rumors, we may end up getting both Face ID and Touch ID on the next iPhone.

 

[Phil77354]

I'm still impatiently waiting for the embedded Apple iChip™ that will let me unlock and control everything in my house and car without ever carrying a device with me at all . . .

 

[jvlfilms]

Can anyone confirm if you need a passcode enabled on the watch? I don’t keep one normally but I would still like to use this feature when I have my mask on. Thanks!

 

[nathan_bakken]

So i upgraded my iphone 11 Pro to 11.5, but it is not giving me the option to upgrade my Series 6 watch to 7.4, any help is appreciated.

 

[Apple_Robert]

So i upgraded my iphone 11 Pro to 11.5, but it is not giving me the option to upgrade my Series 6 watch to 7.4, any help is appreciated.

Do you have the beta profile installed on your watch?