How to Easily Unlock Your iPhone with a Mask

[MacRumors]

In the current health climate, many people are wearing masks that cover their faces when going outside, visiting stores, and other tasks, and Apple's iPhones that use Face ID do not unlock when the user's face is obscured by a mask.

With this in mind, in iOS 13.5, Apple has streamlined the speed with which the passcode pops up when a mask on the face is detected, making it easier to get into an iPhone with a passcode when Face ID fails.

So when you swipe upwards on the Lock screen to unlock the ?iPhone?, this action immediately brings up the passcode interface if your face is covered by a mask.

If you haven't updated to iOS 13.5 yet (and you really should) here's the quickest way to get into your iPhone or iPad Pro when wearing a face mask.

• How to Update the Software on Your iPhone and iPad

Quickly Get to Passcode Screen

If you're using a version of iOS that's earlier than iOS 13.5, you can actually get to the passcode screen faster when you swipe up to unlock your iPhone.

Tap the Face ID text in the center of the screen and you won't have to wait for it to scan your face and fail - you'll immediately be prompted for the passcode instead.

Other than updating your device's software, the only other way to use an iPhone with a mask is simply to turn off Face ID altogether and use a passcode instead. The following steps show you how to disable Face ID for just unlocking your iPhone.
How to Turn Off Face ID for Unlocking Only

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Face ID & Passcode.
3. Enter your passcode when prompted.
4. Under Use Face ID For, switch off the toggle next to iPhone Unlock, and any of the other use cases listed that you don't want to use Face ID with.
   

After carrying out the steps above, you'll be able to unlock your iPhone immediately using your passcode.

Article Link: How to Easily Unlock Your iPhone with a Mask

 

[WilliamG]

Good tip on tapping the words “Face ID.” I had no idea you could do that.

 

[CarlJ]

How to Quickly Unlock Your iPhone When Wearing a Face Mask

Put your thumb on the Home button.

(Since the title didn’t specify which iPhone - this method likely works on a larger percentage of iPhones in use than the method specified in the article.)

Also, the article assumes/demonstrates a 6-digit numeric passcode. If you’re using TouchID or FaceID, your alternate password really ought to be 15+ alphanumeric characters - 6 digits is too simple.

 

[stocklen]

How to Quickly Unlock Your iPhone When Wearing a Face Mask

Put your thumb on the Home button.

(Since the title didn’t specify which iPhone - this method likely works on a larger percentage of iPhones in use than the method specified in the article.)

What an incredibly helpful and constructive response to the article.
Thank you.

 

[manhattanboy]

My secret is to just grab the face mask and pull it down. Works every time.

 

[justperry]

Simple if you have a four digit password, mine is 15 characters long, similar to " n$63%24*57#(35G "...

 

[vikingjunior]

Use the on screen fingerprint scanner.....oh wait.

 

[arnoz]

My secret is to just grab the face mask and pull it down. Works every time.

I just cut holes in the mask that I re-use everyday. Flawless logic.

 

[rictus007]

It’s inconvenient, as I need to use a mask for few hrs per day. But a small sacrifice for the best is the people who work with me.

 

[gutefahrt]

This isn’t just a “current health climate” for many Apple customers. I, and many coworkers, wear surgical masks for many hours every work day. We are hanging onto our 8+ iPhones and will not upgrade until TouchID is reintroduced. Unlocking, passwords, and ApplePay use make FaceID a non-starter for many of us. I hope Apple is listening to this market potential.

 

[danskin]

If there is one thing good coming out of the pandemic, I hope it speeds up the return of touch ID, which ever way it gets implemented.

 

[now i see it]

How to Quickly Unlock Your iPhone When Wearing a Face Mask

(Pro tip: Use an iPhone SE or iPhone 8)

 

[alexandr]

ah, useful! while unlocking your phone simply takes a bit longer, i was trying to update something on paypal, while in line at it wouldn't give me an option to use my passcode instead of face id.

 

[naturalstar]

I thought people already knew about tapping on the Face ID to get to the passcode quickly. I learned this with my iPP from using it while laying in bed. It has since learned my "laying in bed" face.

 

[NickName99]

With my iPhone SE2, it’s unlocked by the time I can see the screen ?

 

[alexandr]

How to Quickly Unlock Your iPhone When Wearing a Face Mask

(Pro tip: Use an iPhone SE or iPhone 8)

someone already beat you to this incredibly original joke.

 

[naturalstar]

My secret is to just grab the face mask and pull it down. Works every time.

I was doing this in frustration at first, but my 11 Pro Max is so responsive that this really is the fastest way to unlock that screen.

 

[gutefahrt]

I’d even be happy if my AppleWatch could be used to unlock my iPhone. If it’s secure enough to open my MacBook, why not my iPhone?

 

[Piggie]

Indeed, I wonder if there is truth in the rumor Apple are going to put Under-Screen fingerprint ID on some? of it's iPhone 12 models.

I think it's an excellent idea and a Win Win for everyone.

People who want face ID and it works great for them can use Face ID.
Those you prefer Touch ID or have trouble with Face ID not being reliable, they can use Touch ID.

If you are wearing a face mask, for whatever reason, you can use Touch ID.

If you want "ULTRA-SECURITY" Apple could combine the two, so that Face-ID and Touch-ID have to both work for the best ever security on any mobile device.

Everyone wins

 

[B4U]

I’d even be happy if my AppleWatch could be used to unlock my iPhone. If it’s secure enough to open my MacBook, why not my iPhone?

Strangely, it is currently a one-way street where the iPhone unlocks the watch but not the other way around.

 

[docziandras]

My secret is to just grab the face mask and pull it down. Works every time.

I dearly hope you are kidding, my sir.

 

[gutefahrt]

Strangely, it is currently a one-way street where the iPhone unlocks the watch but not the other way around.

Apple could fix this now with software. Please, Apple, allow me unlock my iPhone and use passwords with my AppleWatch like you let me do with my MacBook Pro and MacMini. Could double tap the crown for passwords. Then I’ll consider upgrading from my 8+ this fall even if TouchID isn’t added. Thanks.

 

[justperry]

Indeed, I wonder if there is truth in the rumor Apple are going to put Under-Screen fingerprint ID on some? of it's iPhone 12 models.

I think it's an excellent idea and a Win Win for everyone.

People who want face ID and it works great for them can use Face ID.
Those you prefer Touch ID or have trouble with Face ID not being reliable, they can use Touch ID.

If you are wearing a face mask, for whatever reason, you can use Touch ID.

If you want "ULTRA-SECURITY" Apple could combine the two, so that Face-ID and Touch-ID have to both work for the best ever security on any mobile device.

Everyone wins

Agreed

Allowing TouchId for online payments though should be disabled, it's far less secure, for (most) all other things you do ...TouchId would be sufficient.
For sure, now that we have Covid19 Apple might rethink their strategy... have both FaceId and TouchId under the Display.

 

[CarlJ]

My secret is to just grab the face mask and pull it down. Works every time.

But totally blows the point about “don’t touch your face or mask until after you’ve washed your hands”.

 

[gw0gvq]

I thought when Apple first brought Face ID out on the iPhone they said it even works if you have sunglasses on , (which covers part of your face)?