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Apple face ID The method of authenticating on recent iPhones offers a number of security benefits, and it’s a good trick to get started. But in a world affected by a pandemic where many people choose or even have to wear protective masks, users have found that Face ID generally doesn’t work when they need it. Those masks interfere with the iPhone’s ability to read your face, and there is no easy fix at the moment.
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This story originally appeared on Ars Technica, a trusted source for tech news, tech policy reviews, reviews, and more. Ars is owned by WIRED’s parent company, Condé Nast.
That could change with the next version of iOS. This week, Apple released the third beta version of iOS 13.5, the next major release for its mobile operating system. Among other things, the beta introduce new behavior of Face ID when users wear protective masks. Apple hasn’t found a magical way to make the phone read your face through the mask, of course. Rather, the update accelerates you to access code entry.
Right now, picking up the iPhone for use results in a quick scan with the TrueDepth front sensor array to allow you access to your files, messages, and apps. If your face is darkened, the lock indicator shakes and the phone vibrates, indicating that there is a problem. After the Face ID timeout expires, you are asked to swipe up to access the screen where you can enter your password.
The beta version of iOS 13.5 skips a step. Now, it will give you the option to swipe up and enter a passcode without waiting for Face ID to finish failing. This is especially important for Apple Pay; Contactless payments are a good way to minimize direct contact during the pandemic, but Face ID made them a nuisance to mask users.
Apple has not said when iOS 13.5 will be finalized and released to the public, but it’s likely not too far off at this point, judging by the timing of previous updates. Not all the features that appear in a beta version of iOS are included in the final version, but this seems to be a necessary change, so it is likely to reach the finish line.
iOS 13.5 will also introduce Apple’s Contact Tracking API, intended to help with efforts to address the coronavirus by tracking contact with people who are confirmed to be infected.
This story originally appeared on Ars Technica.
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