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I look forward to this feature. We have a local mask mandate that expires this weekend but it could be renewed. I still have to wear masks in some places anyways, perhaps for the next couple of years.
 
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I hope Apple adds ultrasonic Touch ID sensor under the display in coming iterations.
I don’t believe that Apple never thought about this option. But Apple will never integrate things that are less secure. In fact a sensor by ultrasonic detection is much more insecure than TouchID. Although TouchID technology has much improvements against standard touch sensors of Android scrap.
On other hand face detection on iOS works also much more different according most Android devices and have the same security level as TouchID
 
Apple, like always, late to the party. They should've added this last year, this is just too effin late. Good job.
 
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My guess? The ML chip on the iPhone 11 or older devices aren't powerful enough to enable FaceID with Mask, whereas the iPhone 12 and newer phones have the ML chip that is more powerful and can handle the FaceID with Mask feature.

Just my 2 cents...
Did you come up with that analysis on your own? Wow...
 
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Face ID can still be annoying cos it doesn’t work with a couple of my sunglasses, and Touch ID was far more intuitive when checking out with Apple Pay. Even on the iPad, double pressing the power button to make purchases is dumb, oftentimes awkward… there should just be 2 buttons on your screen… proceed and cancel.
 
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Nothing less than apple extending its massive middle finger to those of us that dont wish to lay out a grand for a new device every year.

Not at all. You can still unlock your phone with a mask on, but you have to either type your pass code or use your Apple Watch if you have one. Newer phones will always have features older phones don't have or don't support. If you don't want to upgrade your phone, then obviously these features can't be all that important to you. I highly doubt that Apple is artificially limiting the feature to iPhone 12 and 13 to try to create more sales. First of all, I don't think a lot of people would upgrade their phone solely for this feature. Secondly, if their motive were sales, they would've just limited it to the 13 (or even just the 13 Pro for that matter) to get iPhone 12 owners to upgrade too. I'm guessing there are technical issues with 11 and previous that would not work with this new implementation of FaceID.
 
There is absolutely NO hardware limitation on any iPhone that supports Face ID that would cause this feature to only be used on the iPhone 12 or newer.

It is all because Apple wants to make more $$$ by forcing users to upgrade. These phones have such incredible power that you can play games on it, watch HD videos, and edit photos and videos. There is NO technical reason why Apple couldn't enable this feature on older models which support Face Id.

Sure, it might drain more battery because of hardware-based efficiency gains, but in reality, it would be extremely negligible.

Think about it: The phone is already processing your facial recognition data, do you really think it can't match common points that aren't covered by the mask with its existing biometrics data?
 
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Instead of arguing amongst ourselves as to whether the mask unlock is restricted because of hardware issues to iPhone 12 and up, why don’t we have a member here that has some qualifications contact Apple support and specifically ask them if there is a limitation and if not ask them if they can extend the unlock features to older models in the beta software as part of the beta testing.


Apple can do what it wants in the end but a cogent argument that it be more inclusive could work. I have the beta software and face unlock working and it seriously is better than the watch fix. I did my part with advocacy at Apple in its music sales area but I have no qualifications on this file. But anyone can ask them so…
 
The face unlock works with any mask and with any mask with Apple Pay. I tested it with a blue surgical mask, a black cloth mask that really covers most of the face, and a white K95 mask. I wear glasses and it works and you have the option for an alternative face scan for another pair I believe. Totally reliable so far. As such we may not need the return of Touch ID - but I wouldn’t mind it - however this seems to resolve the mask issue and unlocking your phone.
 
Instead of arguing amongst ourselves as to whether the mask unlock is restricted because of hardware issues to iPhone 12 and up, why don’t we have a member here that has some qualifications contact Apple support and specifically ask them if there is a limitation and if not ask them if they can extend the unlock features to older models in the beta software as part of the beta testing.


Apple can do what it wants in the end but a cogent argument that it be more inclusive could work. I have the beta software and face unlock working and it seriously is better than the watch fix. I did my part with advocacy at Apple in its music sales area but I have no qualifications on this file. But anyone can ask them so…
Probably because Apple Support is worthless and a waste of time.
 
See my [above] post. What is the hardware-wise limitation? You have not responded with facts, but with opinion only. Please provide evidence for your claim.....

I am told there were changes made to the Secure Enclave made in the last two models of phones which enable this feature. Older phones could conceivably support the feature, but the security would be compromised because the phone would have to use far fewer comparison points.
 
Instead of arguing amongst ourselves as to whether the mask unlock is restricted because of hardware issues to iPhone 12 and up, why don’t we have a member here that has some qualifications contact Apple support and specifically ask them if there is a limitation and if not ask them if they can extend the unlock features to older models in the beta software as part of the beta testing.


Apple can do what it wants in the end but a cogent argument that it be more inclusive could work. I have the beta software and face unlock working and it seriously is better than the watch fix. I did my part with advocacy at Apple in its music sales area but I have no qualifications on this file. But anyone can ask them so…

It would be useless. Apple rarely, if ever at all, replies when asked for comment on their decisions. The only thing that might force them to speak would be if anyone with sone qualifications were able to prove that they artificially limited this new feature and leaked it to the press. And even then, Apple might not explain their decision in detail, like they haven’t really explained why the nfc on iphones is being restricted for payments using 3rd party apps. Otherwise, Apple does what it does and never gives any explanation.
 
I am told there were changes made to the Secure Enclave made in the last two models of phones which enable this feature. Older phones could conceivably support the feature, but the security would be compromised because the phone would have to use far fewer comparison points.
Thank you for this info :). Most people just fanboy, you provided some addition info that I can research on my own, which is unique on this site, so I really do mean it :).

But I will still go with my original point: there is absolutely nothing hardware-wise that prevents Apple from implementing a software solution to this issue.
 
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