14 DAY TRIAL // The Face ID facial recognition system that comes bundled with new iPhones is certainly a super-convenient feature, as it allows us to unlock the smartphone by simply looking it at, but needless to say, it has become quite a pain in the neck these days.
And it’s all because the pandemic has taken everyone by surprise, including Apple itself, as Face ID is more or less useless for someone who is wearing a mask.
In other words, if you go shopping and want to use Apple Pay, your only option right now is to enter the passcode because Face ID wouldn’t work if you wear a mask. And there’s no way to get around this shortcoming, other than manually providing the passcode or by removing the mask, which is a big no-no.
But Apple is reportedly working to address the whole thing, with the latest iOS beta build bringing a major improvement in this regard.
Partial face scan
Beginning with iOS 14.5, iPhones will be able to unlock using Face ID even after a partial face scan, but the catch is that you’re going to need a paired Apple Watch on your wrist. The smartwatch thus plays the role of two-factor verification, so when the iPhone unlocks, it vibrates to provide feedback in this regard.
Furthermore, users will be able to lock the iPhone from the smartwatch, but the biggest shortcoming is that some capabilities would still be restricted. For example, buying apps from the Apple Store or paying using Apple Pay wouldn’t be allowed until a full face scan is possible.
In other words, it still won’t be possible to pay for groceries unless you provide your passcode or take off your mask, so hopefully, Apple would find a way to enable these too at some point in the future.