Biometric Boons, Part 2: Face ID

Face ID Setup, Part 1

Any iPhone that lacks a Home Button supports Face ID. Also, as of this writing, any iPad Pro that lacks a Home Button supports Face ID.

Unlike Touch ID, which supports 3–5 fingerprints on each device, which can be associated with different people, Face ID only supports one person’s face, though you can scan multiple appearances. This makes the feature less valuable to people who, for example, share an iPad.

When preparing to add your face, take a moment to orient yourself around this process. The intention is to hold your device at a normal distance of 12–15 inches from your face.

The setup system will indicate when your face is detected at an appropriate distance and angle, which might be a tad below the horizon. Then, it will invite you to move your head in a circle to capture all of the angles of your face.

Face ID Setup, Part 2

After the first scan, on iPhone 12 or later, there’s an opportunity to enable Face ID with a Mask. Do not put on a mask!

If you choose, this second scan will capture greater detail around your eyes, which are the main part of your face visible when wearing a mask.

Face ID Setup, Part 3

Third, you can add a scan for each pair of glasses you wear and/or for alternate appearances. However, note that masks and sunglasses can’t mix, because worn together they effectively cover your whole face, making you unrecognizable.

Also, make sure you clean your glasses. Dirty glasses may cause your device to think there’s stuff covering the area around your eyes and interrupt the scan.

Add Your Face

To begin, visit the Face ID & Passcode section of your device’s settings. You must have a passcode set up to move forward. Tap Set Up Face ID and your device will first show the above overview. Then, tap Get Started.

If the full range of head motion is possible for you, follow the instruction to complete the circle, as demonstrated in the animation above.

If not, tap Accessibility Options and then Partial Circle. This will require you to look at the camera more consistently to recognize your face since it is not capturing other angles.

Explore Other Face ID Settings

After adding your face, feel free to explore all of the settings. At the top, you can selectively disable using Face ID for core device functions like payments and passwords. (I prefer to keep all enabled.) You can also see a list of third-party apps where you’ve enabled the function.

If you’re blind or have partial vision impairment, you may want to disable Require Attention for Face ID. Attention is required when wearing a mask but is otherwise an optional layer of security compared to unlocking when your eyes are closed or looking away.

If you wear an Apple Watch, you can permit its secure connection to your body to unlock your iPhone when your face is obstructed, such as when wearing a mask and sunglasses.

You can also set preferences regarding what system services are permitted when your device is locked. I’m good with all but Wallet and USB Accessories.

Prevent Unlawful Entry

Using Face ID or Touch ID to unlock your Apple device mirrors your password or passcode. However, you can consistently fall back on the latter and sometimes this is required to reactivate the biometric. Within this context, there are two important considerations:

1. Using your biometric in a public setting is preferable so an onlooker can’t see you entering an alphanumeric string to unlock your device
2. In the presence of law enforcement, I recommend temporarily deactivating biometrics so an officer cannot force you to unlock your device using your face or fingerprint

To achieve the latter on iPhone and iPad, hold the Side/Top Button (power button) and the Volume Down button together for a second or two until the Power Off slider appears. This temporarily disables Touch ID or Face ID so you must enter your passcode to unlock the device.