Apple creates workaround to facial recognition blocked by face mask
This has probably happened at least once to an Apple user who is trying to unlock their iPhone with the device’s camera. The phone just can’t figure out you are you while you’re wearing a face mask. Jumping through the hoops of trying the camera, then typing in that four-digit passcode gets to be annoying.
But the tech giant has come up with a way for masked users to unlock the phone using Face ID, but the user also has to also be wearing their Apple Watch, CNN reported.
The iPhone will be able to communicate with a synced Apple Watch when the user wants to unlock the phone with Face ID. But the two devices need to be near each other, and users have to opt in.
It will only allow users to unlock the phone. They will still have to type in the passcode to use Apple Pay, the App Store and iTunes if they’re wearing a mask.
The update is expected soon, but no exact date has been announced, CNN reported.
It will appear in iOS 14.5, Wired reported. The current iOS is 14.4
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