A little over a year ago, with the arrival of iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, Apple solved one of the most annoying problems associated with the use of the iPhone and Face ID technology, which is none other than handling Face ID with a mask on. the face efficiently.
From that very moment, all users who had an Apple Watch and managed it with their iPhone could unlock their mobile phone quickly and without problems using Face ID and keeping a mask covering the face, so used by the pandemic.
A year later, Apple has made it possible to unlock the iPhone using Face ID while wearing a mask, but now without having to wear the Apple Watch. To do this, it is enough to have the version of the operating system updated to the latest iOS 15.4.
When will the iOS 15.4 version be released?
Surely, what you are most interested in knowing is when the final version of iOS 15.4 will be available. Well, this version has already been released by Apple since March 14, so you can now unlock your iPhone with Face ID wearing a mask and without using the smart watch.
Check within your iPhone settings the ‘Software Update’ section to download the latest version. Check first that you have an iPhone compatible with the operating system version.
After you turn it on, you’ll be prompted to go through the Face ID setup process again, where you place your face in the center of the camera frame and slowly look around while wearing a mask.
How to use Face ID with your Apple Watch
If, in addition to having a latest generation iPhone that supports iOS 15.4, you also have an Apple Watch in your possession, things get even easier, since since the version of iOS 14.5, the devices support unlocking using Face ID as long as you have your Apple Watch on.
First of all, you will need an iPhone that has Face ID and an Apple Watch. The iPhone needs to be updated to iOS 14.5, while the Apple Watch will need to be updated to watchOS 7.4 as well.
Also, your Apple Watch will need to be secured with a passcode (if you don’t already have one for security), and you’ll need to wear it on your wrist to unlock the iPhone. It should also be close to your iPhone phone.
In short, the requirements to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch are the same as unlocking your Mac with the smartwatch.
Enable Apple Watch unlock
To enable the feature, you will need to open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone and tap on ‘Face ID & Passcode’. You will be prompted to enter your iPhone passcode.
Then scroll down to the ‘Unlock with Apple Watch’ section and tap the switch to enable the feature.
Once enabled, it works amazingly well. Your Apple Watch is likely to be unlocked most of the time on your wrist (by default, you’ll need to unlock it once when you first put it on, but it will stay unlocked as long as you don’t take it off).
If you try to use Face ID, either on the lock screen, or to access a passcode or something from an app, your iPhone will work as usual.
But if Face ID recognizes that you’re wearing a mask, it will unlock immediately with your Apple Watch instead of showing you the typical screen full of numbers where you have to enter the password.
The screen may briefly notify you that it’s unlocking with your Apple Watch, and you’ll feel a vibration on your wrist from the Apple Watch’s haptic motor. It’s a lot like unlocking your Mac with your Apple Watch.
This article was published by Jason Cross in Macworld US.
