iOS 15.4 beta: you set up Face ID to be used with a mask

by ddos · January 28, 2022

Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak two years ago, Apple originally used the highly experienced Face ID, but it has become a big trouble for iPhone users because wearing a mask will make Face ID unrecognizable. Especially in some scenarios where it is not allowed to take off the mask, it is even more necessary to use the password to unlock, so this sudden accident completely deviates from Apple’s original idea. Although there are some roadside rumors that Apple will add a fingerprint reader back to this year’s iPhone 14, now Apple has indirectly denied this statement, in the new version of the iOS 15.4 beta, the feature that allows Face ID recognition while wearing a mask has been added.

Before that, Apple actually came up with a way to let the Apple Watch help unlock the iPhone, when a bound Apple Watch is nearby, the iPhone can skip Face ID unlocking, but not every iPhone user has an Apple Watch. Few people deliberately buy an additional watch for such a function, so Apple still needs to solve the problem that the iPhone itself can complete the Face ID unlocking when wearing a mask.

Image: BrandonButch

Now in the beta version of iOS 15.4 system settings, there will be an option of Use Face ID with a Mask. As the name implies, you can enter a Face ID when you are wearing a mask, adding this important function to save iPhone users, Apple mentioned in the introduction that this uses the exclusive features of the eye area to complete the verification. Everyone’s eye area does have enough depth information to create a unique 3D face for the owner, so there should be no problem with security, but Apple still emphasizes that the comprehensive Face ID will be more accurate.

It’s just that this new feature is said to require the newer models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 to support, while the earlier iPhone 11, iPhone XS, and iPhone X did not. This may require the AI computing power to help complete the recognition, but since this is only the first version of the test system, it is expected that everyone will have to wait before they can have this new version of the iOS upgrade.

iOS 15.4 beta: you set up Face ID to be used with a mask

Search

Brilliantly

Content & Links