New Apple Feature Allows Users to Skip Face ID When Wearing Face Mask

In order to use Face ID and open their phones, users need to take off their face masks.

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Image via Getty/FREDERIC J. BROWN

apple face id

Apple is making it easier for iPhone users to open their devices while wearing a face mask.

On Wednesday, the tech giant released beta iPhone software that gives users the option to use Face ID or type in a passcode, CNBC reports. Currently, users need to take off their mask if they're using Face ID. If they don’t, there’s a short delay between when the phone can’t recognize their face and when it asks for the passcode. And if they turn off Face ID, they can’t use it when they're not wearing a mask.

In the beta software, they'll be able to swipe up if they’re wearing a mask and enter a passcode, skipping Face ID altogether.

As pointed out by @Sonikku_a2, if you’re wearing a mask, iOS 13.5 goes straight to the passcode screen if you try to unlock with Face ID (keypad not shown because iOS hides it in screen recordings) pic.twitter.com/bQCzu5u20p

— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) April 29, 2020

Yup, just checked pic.twitter.com/dwfgQdiidl

— Robert Petersen (Join Mastodon!) (@Sonikku_a2) April 29, 2020

The new capability allows the user to unlock their phone quicker when making mobile payments, preventing them from having to get around the mask or wait to input their passcode. However, because it’s in beta, it may take a few weeks for the final version to fully launch for all users.

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