Testing iOS 15.4's New Face ID With a Mask Feature

[MacRumors]

Apple yesterday released the iOS 15.4 beta and introduced a useful new feature that lets you unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask. Face ID with a Mask does not require hardware like an Apple Watch for authentication, and though it makes Face ID a bit less secure, it is much more convenient in a world where many of us are still wearing masks on a regular basis.

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After updating to iOS 15.4 on a compatible iPhone, Face ID with a Mask comes up as a setup option. You can enable it right away with a new Face ID scan, and from there, unlocking your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask is as easy as it is without a mask.

Just swipe up on the Lock Screen of your iPhone with your mask on and it will unlock as expected with Face ID. Face ID with a mask is almost identical to Face ID without a mask, but it's not going to unlock from unusual angles because direct eye contact is required. You need to be looking right at your iPhone for Face ID with a Mask to work, which isn't always the case with standard Face ID.

If you didn't enable the new Face ID feature at setup after installing iOS 15.4, you can do so later under Settings > Face ID & Passcode. You'll also want to visit this section if you plan to wear glasses while also wearing a mask.

• How to Set Up Face ID With a Mask

Glasses wearers will need to put on glasses, put on a mask, and use the "Add Glasses" feature to create a new Face ID scan that will let Face ID work with both facial accessories. Face ID with a Mask cannot be used with sunglasses because the feature needs to see your eyes.

Apple says that Face ID with a mask can "recognize the unique features around the eye" for authentication purposes. It is not as secure or as accurate as full-face recognition, but it is much more convenient, especially for iPhone users who do not own an Apple Watch for unlocking.

Unlike the Apple Watch Face ID feature, Face ID with a Mask is fully identical to standard Face ID in terms of what can be authenticated. You can use Face ID with a Mask for Apple Pay purchases and in lieu of a passcode in third-party apps.

Face ID with a Mask is available on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. If you have an iPhone 11 or older, the feature will not be available to you. It's not clear if this is a temporary restriction, and it's possible Apple could be planning to expand the feature to other devices in future betas.

Have you tried Face ID with a Mask? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Article Link: Testing iOS 15.4's New Face ID With a Mask Feature

 

[k.alexander]

So it doesn't work with sunglasses.
But what if you have this feature turned ON, AND you're NOT wearing a mask but are wearing sunglasses -- does the phone unlock then?

 

[dysamoria]

Still don’t want FaceID as my convenience unlock feature. Give us TouchID, please, Apple.

EDIT: After the countless reaction notifications, I wanted to point out that I’m talking about my preference for which convenience unlock method I want. I’m not asking Apple to take away FaceID from anyone. I’m mad that they took away TouchID from people who prefer it. These two methods should not be mutually exclusive!!

 

[jclo]

So it doesn't work with sunglasses.
But what if you have this feature turned ON, AND you're NOT wearing a mask but are wearing sunglasses -- does the phone unlock then?

If you're not wearing a mask, it just works like regular Face ID and you can wear sunglasses.

 

[Radeon85]

Unless TouchID is an extra feature under the screen along with FaceID I'm glad to see it gone.

 

[now i see it]

If you have an iPhone 11 or older, the feature will not be available to you.

Funny how that works out

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I wish this was available in 2020. Apple could have expedited this feature. However, I'm glad it's finally here.

Hopefully, it will be available in the iPad OS soon in the future.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

If you have an iPhone 11 or older, the feature will not be available to you.

Funny how that works out

Apple is basically saying to Upgrade your iPhone. You need too for Face ID with a Mask.

 

[icymountain]

I would not understand this does not become available on iPad as well. Not being able to use FaceID due to the mask is a big annoyance, and not acceptable when using a device that costs $1k+...

 

[Zaft]

Works very well, it’s a good amount faster then using unlock with Apple Watch.

 

[JamieLannister]

sheesh, 30 second video stretched to over 3minutes+

TLDR; it works fine.

 

[JamieLannister]

I would not understand this does not become available on iPad as well. Not being able to use FaceID due to the mask is a big annoyance, and not acceptable when using a device that costs $1k+...

it would be nice says no one. I have not seen one single iPad Pro out in the wild; makes more sense to include in iPhones only, however.

 

[appleArticulate]

What a shame to decrease the security of Face ID for such a lame reason. The Apple Watch solution was the secure solution. This is just a poor decision, that's 2 years too late anyway.

 

[LonestarOne]

Still don’t want FaceID as my convenience unlock feature. Give us TouchID, please, Apple.

If you don’t want it, don’t buy it. There are plenty of alternatives.

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[bradbomb]

I have a question, do you still have the limited Apple Watch option available? I'd rather keep that option as I use Apple Pay on my watch anyway.

 

[Bandaman]

If you have an iPhone 11 or older, the feature will not be available to you.

Funny how that works out

Well ... that's just stupid.

 

[BigBlur]

What a shame to decrease the security of Face ID for such a lame reason. The Apple Watch solution was the secure solution. This is just a poor decision, that's 2 years too late anyway.

Then don't enable this feature? You're free to keep using the full (more secure) Face ID and Apple Watch solution as you've always done...

 

[Remy149]

Still don’t want FaceID as my convenience unlock feature. Give us TouchID, please, Apple.

I prefer Face ID

I would not understand this does not become available on iPad as well. Not being able to use FaceID due to the mask is a big annoyance, and not acceptable when using a device that costs $1k+...

i have an expensive 11.9” iPad Pro I’ve never used it in an environment I’m wearing a mask though

 

[44267547]

sheesh, 30 second video stretched to over 3minutes+

That was a great video by Dan. I can afford the 3 minutes to see how this new feature demonstrated through a short Video. I’m sure others could spare the 3 minutes too.

 

[Bandaman]

sheesh, 30 second video stretched to over 3minutes+

TLDR; it works fine.

We're sorry that the world doesn't cater to your lack of patience.

 

[zorinlynx]

The iPhone 12 requirement makes me angry because it's a clear ploy to get people to upgrade their phones. The 11 series is still a good enough phone for most people and my guess is not enough people are upgrading so they need a bit of an extra stick.

Anyway, not that big a deal; there's a good chance masks won't be required in most places much longer.

 

[imamacperson]

Still don’t want FaceID as my convenience unlock feature. Give us TouchID, please, Apple.

Give us both!

 

[icymountain]

I prefer Face ID

i have an expensive 11.9” iPad Pro I’ve never used it in an environment I’m wearing a mask though

Indeed, I think many people use their iPad less in such places, but others do, daily.
I often do it in:
- transportation,
- waiting areas,
- shared offices/meeting rooms...
Each time, I find it quite frustrating to be able to unlock my iPhone 6s with TouchID, but have to dial the code on the iPad... Ymmv.

 

[t0rqx]

I hope users starting with the iPhone X can benefit from this feature.

 

[_Spinn_]

Glasses wearers will need to put on glasses, put on a mask, and use the "Add Glasses" feature to create a new Face ID scan that will let Face ID work with both facial accessories. Face ID with a Mask cannot be used with sunglasses because the feature needs to see your eyes.

I have tinting regular glasses so I guess this won't work for me in some cases.

Apple says that Face ID with a mask can "recognize the unique features around the eye" for authentication purposes. It is not as secure or as accurate as full-face recognition, but it is much more convenient, especially for iPhone users who do not own an Apple Watch for unlocking.

I don't like the reduced security. But it makes sense why it is the case.