Face ID with masks: How it works and what you need to know

For many people, Face ID has been a source of frustration over the past two years because it doesn't work with face masks, but that changes in iOS 15.4, an update currently available to developers and public beta Used by testers.

iOS 15.4 adds Face ID with a mask. Even if your face is covered, you can use Face ID to unlock your iPhone, so Face ID with or without a mask Masks are just as convenient.

How Face ID works with a mask

If the mask covers the lower half of your face, the Face ID system will scan your eye area to verify your identity. According to Apple, Face ID with masks can identify "unique features" around the eyes, rather than looking at your entire face when you're wearing a mask.

Face ID with a mask is the same as Face ID without a mask. With Face ID scanning, you can swipe up on your ‌iPhone‌ screen to unlock. Face ID with a mask can also be used interchangeably with standard Face ID, so your phone works the same way with and without a mask on.

Face ID with Mask is the same as standard Face ID in almost every way, but there are a few extra setup steps required, and it doesn't work with sunglasses. Since the ID needs to be clearly visible to your eyes when wearing a mask, there are certain angle restrictions when unlocking.

Face ID with Mask Settings

When you upgrade to iOS 15.4, you will be asked to complete a built-in Face ID setup process and set mask options. Before completing the 3D facial scan, you need to go through the same process as the initial Face ID activation setup.

If you skip this process, you can also turn it on later. Open the Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode, authenticate with a passcode, and turn on the "Use Face ID with a mask" option.

If you wear glasses, you need to go through a secondary setup process.

Add Glasses

You need to wear glasses because Face ID with a mask scans the eye area for recognition. If you wear multiple pairs of glasses, each pair will need to be scanned.

To complete the process of adding glasses, open the Settings app, tap Face ID & Passcode, authenticate with your passcode, and tap "Add Glasses."

From there, you put on your glasses and complete an additional Face ID scan, which is the same as any other Face ID scan where you rotate your head in a circle to scan from multiple angles.

Sunglasses not supported

Using standard Face ID can identify most people wearing sunglasses, but Face ID is not accurate enough for people wearing masks. Facial recognition with masks requires direct gaze to work, but sunglasses obscure the eyes.

Identity verification is required when wearing a mask and you need to take off your sunglasses.

Face ID with Mask Authentication

Face recognition technology works the same with and without a mask. You can unlock your iPhone, authenticate Apple Pay purchases, and use Face ID in place of passwords from third-party apps. This is in stark contrast to the "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature Apple added in iOS 14.5 last year, which couldn't authenticate transactions.

Device Limitations

Face ID with masks is only supported on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. It's compatible with ‌iPhone 12‌, iPhone 12 mini, ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, ‌iPhone 13‌, ‌iPhone 13‌ mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and ‌iPhone 13 Pro‌ Max.

It doesn't work with earlier iPhones, nor does it work with iPads. Apple hasn't clarified whether there are hardware limitations that prevent Face ID mask unlocking from working with earlier versions of iPhone.

Security Hazards

Apple says Face ID is "most accurate" when used only for full-face recognition, but it's unclear whether partial facial analysis poses security risks.

In testing, we weren't able to get the iPhone unlocked by others wearing masks, but that doesn't mean it can't happen, especially in households where there may be similarities between the areas around the eyes .

Apple didn’t provide in-depth information on how the Face ID feature with masks works compared to regular Face ID, but Apple didn’t explicitly say it was less secure.

Face ID Apple Watch Unlock

Face ID with Mask will not replace the pre-existing unlocking feature with Apple Watch, the two can be used together, but ‌iPhone‌ does default to Face ID with Mask , so there's no real reason to turn it on unless you don't like using Face ID with a mask.

Unlocking with Apple Watch was previously the only option to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask, but it was more limited and didn't work with third-party apps or Apple Pay purchases. For those with an iPhone 11 or earlier, the phone remains the only option.

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