iOS 15.4 allows you to unlock your iPhone using Face ID while you are wearing a mask. Here's how to set it up.
iOS 15.4 Lets You Unlock Your iPhone Using Face ID Even if You Have a Mask On, No Apple Watch Required at All
iOS 15.4 is packed with a lot of new features and there's an important one included here which a lot of iPhone users are going to love - the ability to unlock the phone using Face ID while wearing a mask.
In fact, you can unlock the iPhone if you're wearing a mask as long as your Apple Watch is on your wrist, unlocked and protected using a passcode, but this feature doesn't use Face ID. Your iPhone will simply unlock itself when it knows that the phone is in the owner's hand and the Apple Watch is in very close proximity. But what if you don't have an Apple Watch? This is where the new feature comes in.
Unlocking works by simply scanning your face using Face ID and getting a partial match. If the iPhone's Face ID sensor is able to match your nose, eyes and other key features which are exposed outside of the mask, it will simply unlock the phone itself so you don't have to pull your mask down or enter a PIN code. If the match fails, you will be forced to enter your PIN code.
In order to set this feature up, you have to download and install iOS 15.4 first. Simply go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure you're on the latest release of iOS. Please know that this feature will only work on iPhone 12 and higher.
Interestingly, once the installation is complete, iOS 15.4 will ask you whether or not you want to enable unlocking while wearing a mask. Simply tap on Use Face ID with a Mask and you will be required to scan your face until the setup is complete.
If you tapped on Set Up Later, then here's what you need to do in order to enable it right now:
Step 1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on Face ID & Passcode. Enter your device PIN code when asked for it.
Step 3. Enable the Face ID with a Mask toggle switch.
Step 4. Tap on Use Face ID with a Mask.
Step 5. Tap on Get Started and take multiple scans of your face exactly how your iPhone asks you to.
Once the setup process is complete, you can unlock your iPhone and give the feature a go.
If you wear glasses and are having trouble with the feature, then go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and then tap on Add Glasses. Your iPhone will ask you to wear your glasses and take another Face ID scan.
For more helpful guides and tutorials, head over to this section.
