iPhone X How often are you trying to unlock your phone with a face mask on?

[mrochester]

Hi all.

I've seen so many people complain in posts that the new iPhones will not have Touch ID and how terrible this is because of all the mask wearing we are doing.

in the UK the only places we need to wear a mask are indoors in shops, on public transport etc. This means for most people, most of the time they will not be wearing a mask which makes Face ID the more convenient and more secure method of authentication.

where in the world are people wearing masks so much of the time that Face ID becomes a problem?

 

[s2mike]

Good lord.

I live in the US and spend 40 hours a week working at an office job where masks are mandatory.

I unlock my phone while wearing a mask hundreds of times a day.

 

[LonestarOne]

I live in the US and spend 40 hours a week working at an office job where masks are mandatory.

I unlock my phone while wearing a mask hundreds of times a day.

Surely you’re exaggerating? If you work an 8-hour day (480 minutes) and have to unlock your phone 200 times a day, you should adjust your autolock delay to more than two minutes.

 

[C DM]

Surely you’re exaggerating? If you work an 8-hour day (480 minutes) and have to unlock your phone 200 times a day, you should adjust your autolock delay to more than two minutes.

Wouldn't that keep the screen on and active and susceptible to random input? Doesn't really seem practical in most circumstances.

 

[s2mike]

Surely you’re exaggerating? If you work an 8-hour day (480 minutes) and have to unlock your phone 200 times a day, you should adjust your autolock delay to more than two minutes.

It’s actually set for no delay, but that’s for other reasons.

Are other people *not* unlocking their phones hundreds of times during the work day?

 

[mrochester]

It’s actually set for no delay, but that’s for other reasons.

Are other people *not* unlocking their phones hundreds of times during the work day?

i do but it’s to read and reply to threads like this. I’m working now.

 

[glenthompson]

I have a mask on pretty much anytime I’m outside my house or car. I have a very low level of trust of other people and their care to avoid infection.

 

[bushman4]

Not being able to unlock your iPhone causes people to take off their mask
Use good judgement wear your mask and use your passcode
Hopefully next year Apple has an underscreen Touch ID

 

[mrochester]

Not being able to unlock your iPhone causes people to take off their mask
Use good judgement wear your mask and use your passcode
Hopefully next year Apple has an underscreen Touch ID

But that would be less secure than face id so how do you sell it?

 

[C DM]

But that would be less secure than face id so how do you sell it?

In a similar sense as 1000 locks would be less secure than 2000 locks?

 

[mrochester]

In the sense that 1000 locks are less secure than 2000 locks?

Exactly, so how would you sell it? And how would you stop the media from writing negative stories about the downgraded security?

 

[C DM]

Exactly, so how would you sell it? And how would you stop the media from writing negative stories about the downgraded security?

Pretty sure that the vast majority find something like 1000 locks beyond plenty security.

 

[mrochester]

Pretty sure that the vast majority find something like 1000 locks beyond plenty security.

But if you are apple, how do you sell that downgrade in security to customers? What’s your marketing message?

 

[C DM]

But if you are apple, how do you sell that downgrade in security to customers? What’s your marketing message?

They'll find a way as they and essentially everyone else always do if/when needed.

 

[mrochester]

They'll find a way as they and essentially everyone else always do if/when needed.

So what do you propose that should be then?

 

[C DM]

So what do you propose that should be then?

It will be whatever it will be if and when it comes down to it. Just like they were able to go back to a scissor mechanism for their keyboard keys after moving away from it years ago in favor of a butterfly mechanism that they kept on saying was better.

 

[mrochester]

It will be whatever it will be if and when it comes down to it. Just like they were able to go back to a scissor mechanism for their keyboard keys after moving away from it years ago in favor of a butterfly mechanism that they kept on saying was better.

Can you just answer the question please instead of posting vagaries? Thanks.

 

[C DM]

Can you just answer the question please instead of posting vagaries? Thanks.

I am commenting on the point that some specific messaging that someone on an online forum can post doesn't really make much of a difference one way or another -- in the end, when something like that is needed something can be added or removed or changed and it usually won't really end up being much of an issue.

 

[mrochester]

I am commenting on the point that some specific messaging that someone on an online forum can post doesn't really make much of a difference one way or another -- in the end, when something like that is needed something can be added or removed or changed and it usually won't really end up being much of an issue.

under screen Touch ID positives are....(you fill in the blanks to see what we can come up with)

 

[C DM]

under screen Touch ID positives are....(you fill in the blanks to see what we can come up with)

Seems like that has been debated in quite a few threads quite a few times over by now. This thread in itself seems to bring up one of those benefits/differences (which is one of the bigger ones today) when it comes to being able to unlock your device quickly and securely when Face ID won't get that accomplished as easily/quickly.

 

[mrochester]

Seems like that has been debated in quite a few threads quite a few times over by now. This thread alone seems to bring up one of those benefits/differences when it comes to being able to unlock your device quickly and securely when Face ID won't get that accomplished.

Right so for the few occasions where Face ID wont get that accomplished, Touch ID would be better. But then for the few occasions where Touch ID won’t get that accomplished, Face ID would be better.

 

[Zanton68]

Good lord.

I live in the US and spend 40 hours a week working at an office job where masks are mandatory.

I unlock my phone while wearing a mask hundreds of times a day.

Does Face ID work in the dark, in complete darkness?

 

[mrochester]

Does Face ID work in the dark, in complete darkness?

Yes.

 

[JBGoode]

It’s actually set for no delay, but that’s for other reasons.

Are other people *not* unlocking their phones hundreds of times during the work day?

I doubt I unlock my phone that much in a week. During the work day, I'm.....working. It doesn't involve my iPhone, but a company issued laptop. I can't imagine why'd I'd unlock my personal phone hundreds of times in 8-9 hours. I imagine it might be different if I used it for work.

 

[itsmilo]

My iPhone XS Max unlocks with the face mask on, does not even matter which face mask. I have some in white, some are black and others have a coloured pattern on it. Odd enough, unlocking the Phone works, but it does not work on apps like WhatsApp, even though, they also use FaceID.

Thankfully we have been working from home since March and we do not have to wear a mask outside, unless its very crowded areas. Only inside of stores, busses, restaurants (until you sit down) etc. unlike Spain, where you need to wear a mask anywhere outside, which I found super stupid on my vacation. Walking around in 40 degrees (C) with no one around. By now I actually do not mind it and wear it outside because it is keeping my face warm. I almost wonder why I didn't do this every winter!