iOS 13.5 Beta Makes It Easier to Unlock an iPhone With Passcode When Wearing a Mask

[MacRumors]

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

In the iOS 13.5 beta, released this morning, Apple has streamlined the speed with which the passcode pops up when a person wearing a mask is detected, making it easier to get into an iPhone with a passcode when Face ID fails.

Speedier access to the passcode interface is noticeable when you swipe upwards on the Home screen when unlocking the iPhone, as this action now immediately brings up the passcode interface if your face is covered by a mask.

Previously, the iPhone would attempt to initiate Face ID first, creating a few seconds of delay before the passcode interface was shown. The new, speedier passcode entry method makes it quicker to get into an iPhone.

The feature is available in the current iOS 13.5 beta, which should see a public release in the next few weeks.

Article Link: iOS 13.5 Beta Makes It Easier to Unlock an iPhone With Passcode When Wearing a Mask

 

[thadoggfather]

Power tip: when you swipe up on current versions, press FaceID text in the center of the screen to avoid waiting for it to scan your face and fail, prompting the password after that.

 

[Chewie16]

THANK GOD! I’ve been waiting for this for months when we were required to wear masks in the hospital for the flu. Hope they push this sooner than “a few weeks”
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Power tip: when you swipe up on current versions, press FaceID text in the center of the screen to avoid waiting for it to scan your face and fail, prompting the password after that.

Dang! Thanks man that’s helps. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. Who would of thought?!

 

[imac9556]

Perfect!! In addition to all of the above this is useful as an anesthesia provider in the OR setting.

 

[metalsiren]

Power tip: when you swipe up on current versions, press FaceID text in the center of the screen to avoid waiting for it to scan your face and fail, prompting the password after that.

great tip, thanks for that sine I wear a mask in public and its been driving me nuts with waiting for it to time out.

 

[CHLFC]

For many years I wear a ventilator mask that obscures a lot of my face and despite this accessibility settings in FaceID setup means I have no problem accessing my iPhone using FaceID. I think it does a partial scan of my face with my ventilator mask on. If under this new system I will be prompted for my passcode I will find this really inconvenient and a step backwards. I have always been impressed with the way Apple has ensured FaceID accommodates people who wear masks over their face

 

[itsmilo]

Cool but can they hurry up with the release already? I’d like to use mail and the contact app again which have been blocked by our IT

 

[gsmornot]

This is has been a recent issue for me but I know for many this has been something they deal with on a regular basis. I really didn't know that until the last month but its made me more aware.

 

[JPack]

Yes, please.

Put those emoji updates on the back burner.

 

[chrixxa]

lol since when does apple release a x.5 update? Have a hard time recalling them doing anything.5

 

[naturalstar]

This is has been a recent issue for me but I know for many this has been something they deal with on a regular basis. I really didn't know that until the last month but its made me more aware.

Agreed. I don't know how medical staff deal with it. I've only been annoyed for the few weeks.

 

[gutefahrt]

This is why I'm still using an 8+. I wear a surgical mask for long periods of time. It's not just unlocking the phone, but all passwords & ApplePay. It's a pain when I use my iPadPro. Please release a combo FaceID / under-screen Fingerprint sensor, Apple.

 

[adamjackson]

Speedier access to the passcode interface is noticeable when you swipe upwards on the Home screen when unlocking the iPhone, as this action now immediately brings up the passcode interface if your face is covered by a mask.

OR HELMET!

Finally. I'm so tired of having to take off my helmet to unlock my phone. I ride 15,000 miles a year on my motorcycle and the delay to enter my passcode gets pretty annoying.

 

[jarman92]

Why did this take a pandemic? This process has been way too slow since the iPhone X...

 

[KoolAid-Drink]

Power tip: when you swipe up on current versions, press FaceID text in the center of the screen to avoid waiting for it to scan your face and fail, prompting the password after that.

You're da MVP! Never knew about this secret tip!

 

[copperbutte]

I did an alternative FaceID using my mask...works as well.
But this new feature works well - just installed on my 11 Pro Max.

 

[freakomac]

I have a doubt, since I do not have Face ID enabled iPhone I am not able to test it out, but someone else can clarify. With iOS 12 (I think) Apple allowed users to setup Face ID with an alternate appearance. Is it possible for users to just wear masks as their alternative appearance and let Face ID adapt to that? If it works, saves a lot of time and effort that goes into typing passcodes.

 

[zorinlynx]

Is there enough information in the shape of your face around your eyes for FaceID to be secure? Maybe offer a "This might be slightly less secure" FaceID mode which works with masks on? They could even have shorter timeouts to require a passcode to make up for the reduced security.

I bet the fact that the new SE has TouchID is going to result in unexpected sales from heavy mask-users, like in healthcare, where FaceID is more trouble than it's worth.
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I have a doubt, since I do not have Face ID enabled iPhone I am not able to test it out, but someone else can clarify. With iOS 12 (I think) Apple allowed users to setup Face ID with an alternate appearance. Is it possible for users to just wear masks as their alternative appearance and let Face ID adapt to that? If it works, saves a lot of time and effort that goes into typing passcodes.

The FaceID code looks for a nose and mouth, and won't recognize a face covered with a mask when trying to train it. Optionally removing that requirement, at the cost of some security, is what I'm suggesting.

 

[44267547]

I don’t recommend this to everyone, but I Would just disable ‘biometric authentication’ altogether until something like this could be implemented. I was never concerned about losing my phone or misplacing it, but that’s what worked for me until we have a remedy finally coming into place.

 

[decypher44]

Power tip: when you swipe up on current versions, press FaceID text in the center of the screen to avoid waiting for it to scan your face and fail, prompting the password after that.

Omg, THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Bill Av]

If I lower my mask expose my nose, FaceID lets me in - even though the lower part of my face is covered (mouth, cheeks, chin).

 

[jclardy]

This should have been changed years ago when the iPhone X was released. Tapping the tiny `Face ID` button in the center of the screen is infuriating when you are in a situation where you already know face ID will fail. This is the UX it should have been from launch.

 

[7149041]

Power tip: when you swipe up on current versions, press FaceID text in the center of the screen to avoid waiting for it to scan your face and fail, prompting the password after that.

I figured that one too, but it does not work for unlocking apps like WhatsApp. Hopefully this new version covers (pun intended) that.

 

[killawat]

FaceID is a good test for mask compliance. If your phone doesn't recognize you with one on, you're not wearing it enough!

Jokes aside thank you Apple for trying to address this.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

If only there was some other means of authenticating, that didn't rely on your face being visible.

#TouchIDForEver