iOS 15.4 Lets You Use Face ID With A Mask On [No Apple Watch Needed]

Apple’s iOS 15.4 allows iPhone users to take advantage of Face ID while still wearing a mask.

Apple made the first iOS 15.4 beta available to developers recently and those who have installed it have already been able to take the feature change for a spin.

With iOS 15.4 installed users receive a new prompt to decide whether they would like to be able to use Face ID while still wearing a mask. Users have the option of preventing the feature from working to ensure privacy, but Apple does say that with the feature enabled it will put added focus on people’s eyes and the “unique features” surrounding them.

In testing, unlocking an iPhone 13 Pro Max while wearing a mask, iOS 15.4 works as you might expect. The authentication proves to be noticeably slower, however, that could simply be down to this being an early beta release.

Apple has also improved Face ID recognition when wearing glasses and a mask at the same time.

(Image via MacRumors)

Reports suggest that the new Face ID unlocking will only work while wearing a mask on modern iPhones — iPhone 12 and newer all work, while those who have tested on iPhone X, iPhone XS, and iPhone 11 devices report that the feature is not available to them. Apple hasn’t said why that is, but it’s thought that the extra processing power required to do eye-based checks speedily isn’t available in older iPhones.

You may also like to check out:

You can follow us on Twitter, or Instagram, and even like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple, and the Web.