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iOS 12 Allows for Multiple Face ID Users on a Single iPhone X

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Apr 12, 2001
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The iOS 12 beta appears to support adding a second face to the Face ID feature, allowing a second person to unlock an iPhone X without entering the passcode. This was discovered and later confirmed by multiple users on Reddit.

Ever since the iPhone X was released last September, Apple's Face ID authentication system has been restricted to recognizing a single person's face to unlock the iPhone X. Though iOS is ostensibly designed as a single-user operating system, this restriction has frustrated some users who wish to allow their partner or other family member to unlock their phone for convenience and sharing purposes.

multiplefacesiphonex.jpg

This is possible under the old Touch ID system, which has been around for nearly half-a-decade, because Touch ID allows up to five fingerprints to unlock the iPhone -- so it's easy to allow your partner's thumbprint to your iPhone.

With iOS 12, an "Alternative Appearance" mode in Face ID allows iPhone X owners to add an entire second face to Face ID. This means two people can unlock an iPhone X, potentially making it easier for users to share their devices.

The feature doesn't appear to be intended for this purpose. In iOS Settings > Face ID & Passcode, Alternative Appearance is described thusly:

In addition to continuously learning how you look, Face ID can recognize an alternate appearance.
Click to expand...
It's likely that Alternative Appearance is designed for people who have difficulty with Face ID because of more significant changes in appearance due to changing wardrobes like glasses or hats -- but it has the happy coincidence of supporting a second person as well.

One thing to note is that if Face ID is reset for one "Appearance", it will also reset the other, meaning both users will have to start from scratch with Face ID if the system is reset.

We have reached out to Apple for clarity on what this feature is intended for and whether the side-effect of support for multiple users is expected to continue through the final release of iOS 12 this fall.

Article Link: iOS 12 Allows for Multiple Face ID Users on a Single iPhone X
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/05/ios-12-face-id-iphone-x-multiple-users/
"We have reached out to Apple for clarity on what this feature is intended for"
has somebody already installed beta 1 and comment if we can register 2 different folks?
 
This sounds like something that will change or be removed. I only say that because if it's intended to be used as an additional person, I think it would be labeled as such. Also, how has no one already tried this and reported back? Just an easy yes...
 
Allows some users in their alter ego to log in no matter which way they are dressed. Useful for some.
 
I can understand multiple users on an iPad but not my phone. Btw https..//1.1.1.1 makes surfing on any phone safer than without. Iphone is not the safest.
 
I think that this feature’s really important for the next iPad with Face ID. A iPhone is more personal than an iPad. That’s it’s good if 2 person or plus use the iPad in the family for example.
 
ghostface147 said:
This sounds like something that will change or be removed. I only say that because if it's intended to be used as an additional person, I think it would be labeled as such. Also, how has no one already tried this and reported back? Just an easy yes...
Click to expand...
Its probably a main feature for the new iPads so they are keeping it kinda under wraps
 
Great! As if the quality of FaceTime wasn’t bad enough already. Now with multiple connections it will probable look like a Van Gogh painting at best!
 
You know, I missed this functionality when I first got my iPhone X. I wanted my wife to be able to use it like I can access her phone with my thumb when I need something or she wants me to reply to someone for her while she has her hands full with the kids or whatever. But now I'm not so sure. My iPhone X already has a hard enough time with just one face. I'd think adding another face will likely decrease the speed and accuracy of scans. However, I am interested in seeing if people such as myself have problems, if setting up two faces of ourselves from drastically different angles would be useful and improve our issues?
 
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