How to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask

Open with a glance while wearing a mask

Starting with iOS 15.4 Apple introduces the capacity to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask using FaceID.

What’s it like and what does Apple say?

Apple in 2021 made it possible for masked Apple Watch users to open their iPhones.

In admit that I’ve found opening my iPhone with the new feature faster than when using Apple Watch when wearing a mask. That probably reflects that the watch and phone need to have a little discussion to authorize you, but the operation takes place fully on the iPhone thanks to 15.4.

“Face ID is most accurate when it’s set up for full-face recognition,” the company says.

“To use Face ID while wearing a mask, iPhone can recognize the unique features around the eye area to authenticate. You must be looking at your iPhone to use Face ID while wearing a mask.”

While this may mean someone with eyes similar to yours may be able to use this feature to sidestep your security, that seems unlikely. Apple tends to err on the side of security, and an unrecognized person will certainly be bounced to the passcode entry screen.

How to set this up

When you install iOS 15.4 you’ll be asked to reboot your device if you want to make use of this feature. You can also set it up from within Settings>Face ID & Passcode (see below).

Within the set-up process you’ll need to take a new Face ID scan during which the iPhone will gather more detailed information concerning your facial features around your eyes.

How to set this up from Settings

Open Settings>Face ID & Passcode. You’ll be asked for your passcode after which you can review the options there, which now include a new Use Face ID With a Mask toggle.

Toggle this to on (green) and you’ll be asked to take a new Face ID scan.

What happens if I wear glasses?

If you wear glasses, you should already have trained FaceID for to recognize you with and without them on. You will also need to train FaceID to recognize you when wearing glasses and a mask. You only need to do this once and it should know who you are in both states in future. Just tap Add Glasses to get this training done.

What if I don’t have iOS 15.4 or an Apple Watch?

If you aren’t running iOS 15.4 and/or don’t have an Apple Watch then you can speed up the process of getting to the unlock screen to use your iPhone

• Press the power and either volume button to access the Power off screen.
• You will see the power slider, medical ID, Emergency SOS and Cancel controls.
• Tap Cancel.
• The iPhone will request your passcode.
• Enter this to access your phone.

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