Phone bag, mask and facial recognition: what to remember before a long weekend?

“Relaxing quarantine conditions does not mean we have to lose vigilance, we must continue to keep a safe distance, disinfect our hands, and wear protective gear. Still, many consumers face the problem that these measures make it somewhat difficult to use of smartphones, which are especially useful on, for example, a weekend trip to Lithuania. The good news is that knowing a few simple tips and wearing protective gear will make using the kit much easier and more convenient. ” Martynas Vrubliauskas from Bitė Profas says in a press release.

Is it possible to unlock the phone while wearing the mask?

With the protective gear (masks, respirators), users are not able to unlock phones with facial recognition, so they are considering how to do it successfully, keeping in mind the security requirements and without removing the mask.

“One of the easiest ways is to use a different screen lock, like the one that requires a fingerprint or password. Therefore, if you use Android phones, abandon the facial recognition function during the quarantine period and use the finger sensor, ”advises M. Vrubliauskas.

If you are using the latest iPhones that don’t have a fingerprint sensor, you can choose from several options, advises the expert: “You can allow the phone to scan your face multiple times without success. After a few failed attempts, you will be asked to enter a screen PIN or other lock code to easily unlock your phone.Of course this unlock method takes a little bit longer than usual so for a different solution you can just temporarily disable face recognition and protect your screen only with a password. “

Also, be sure to choose a more complex combination of numbers or more digits than the four that require a lock version for your password. Avoid using your date of birth, a very simple sequence of numbers like 1111, 1234, or a combination of columns like 2580 and the like.

For iOS phones, go to Settings on your phone and select Face ID & Passcode. In the window that opens, turn off face detection for your phone lock and disable the first option. Android users will be able to do it in the preferences section of the lock screen of the settings.

Interestingly, the theory is floating on the Internet that the facial recognition system on iPhones can be tricked and the phone can be unlocked using a mask. All you have to do is re-create the face ID lock, only this time with half of the face covered in a mask, so that part of the contours of the mouth and nose are visible. Theoretically, this should allow the phone to be unlocked using face shields.

“It is possible to register a new image with a mask, but it takes several times longer and the result” Bitė Profus “is unfortunately disappointing: the phone does not unlock when the mask is used. Although this method has not worked for us, there are many who say this system still works, so we recommend that you try it for yourself, maybe this hack will work for you. Just re-create the facial recognition feature, only this time let the phone register your covered face with a mask ”, says M. Vrubliauskas.

Instead of gloves: phone – in a bag

During quarantine, it is recommended to wear not only facial protection but also disposable gloves. Especially when you know you’re touching various surfaces, like groceries in the store. Still, many people choose the other path: They refuse to wear gloves, but constantly use disinfectant, often washing their hands. It is also a good preventive measure, but we don’t disinfect our hands after every contact with surfaces, so bacteria and viruses can easily enter our phone, which we use so often.

“For those who don’t want to wear protective gloves, a simple plastic bag can be a great protection. Before you go shopping at the store, cover your phone with such a bag; It will ensure that microbes do not get into your device from your hands. It’s kind of reminiscent of bagged TV remote control bags in the old days, but shame isn’t something – protection is really effective. When you return home, before disinfecting your hands, you will simply have to throw the bag away and wash your hands well, “explains M. Vrubliauskas.

Normally, all phone displays should respond to taps through the bag as usual. Still, users occasionally fear hearing about this method, but avoid using it because they think Android phones don’t respond to taps through the bag. A simple trick will help to resolve the situation: it only increases the sensitivity of the screen.

“In the phone settings, select the” Display “section and increase the sensitivity of the display here. You can activate the touch sensitivity function on Android phones. In this case, you will be sure that the bag will not complicate the operation of the device” says M. Vrubliauskas. “

Of course, users with disposable latex gloves can use them with confidence – they’ll be able to comfortably control the phone while wearing them, so they won’t have to be removed all the time. Only in this case, be sure to disinfect the phone periodically.

Disinfect phones too

Finally, to ensure completely safe use of your phone, disinfect not only your hands but also your phone after your trip home. This can easily be done with soap diluted with water – these tools are enough to disinfect the phone.

“Place a small layer of liquid or water-diluted soap on a clean cloth or cloth, then wipe the surface of the machine well. After that, wipe the phone with a cloth dampened with water and finally with a dry cloth. While many phones are moisture resistant, make sure the cloths are not too wet or dripping: soap or water should never get into the phone’s charging socket, speaker, or other internal parts, “says M. Vrubliauskas .

Phone makers also consider napkins to be 70 percent of the right tool for maintaining smart devices. alcohol concentration It is advisable to avoid the use of other chemicals, as they can damage the screen of the device, reports Bitė Profas M. Vrubliauskas.

Phone boxes should also be disinfected periodically. Remove them from the device and clean them on all sides in the same way as the phone. We constantly have phones by our side, so they come in contact with various surfaces and are covered in microbes and bacteria on a daily basis. That is why it is necessary to disinfect the equipment frequently, every few days.