With iOS 15.4, Face ID is now mask compatible

Apple on Monday rolled out an update for the iPhone that supports the Face ID feature that allows users to unlock their phones while wearing a mask.

With this iOS 15.4 update, you will not only unlock your iPhone, but also make purchases with Apple Pay and authorize apps and passwords. Even when your mouth and nose are covered, your iPhone can now recognize you by analyzing unique features around your eyes.

And the few feedback we got here and there on this new Face ID functionality says it’s good, but it’s too late. Sanitary measures are disappearing almost everywhere on the planet, so mask-wearing will likely be a thing of the past.

After the update, users will receive a request asking if they want to use Face ID while wearing a mask, and then go through the process of scanning their face without wearing a mask. Users who do not have Face ID will receive a request asking if they want to enable the feature.

The other way is with your Apple Watch

Prior to this update, the only way to unlock iPhones with Face ID and mask required a file Apple Watch. Once enabled, Apple Watch users wake up their iPhone and then glance at the screen to unlock it.

For this update to work, an iPhone 12 or later is required.

You can access this update by going to Settings app > General > Software Update.

To turn Face ID on or off, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then tap Unlock iPhone or Unlock iPad. Next, drag the Face ID slider with a mask.

The update brings several other improvements and fixes, to the Siri voice interface, new localized languages ​​in Safari, emergency calls, syncing photos and videos with iCloud Photo Library, as well as the usual security updates.

Compatible iPhones with Face ID and Mask:

• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12

How to use Face ID on your iPhone is explained in Apple Canada.