Apple to let users have Face ID with a mask in next iOS update

San Francisco: With the ongoing threat that the COVID-19 epidemic poses to public health, wearing protective masks have become a constant part of our everyday lives as we navigate this new reality.

As the pandemic drags on, users have been insisting Apple to add a way to let people unlock iPhones while still wearing masks.

And now, Apple is reportedly testing a feature that will let users use Face ID to unlock the phone even when wearing a mask.

According to MacRumors, the iOS 15.4 beta added a new feature designed to allow Face ID to be used with a mask and without an Apple Watch for authentication.

The tech giant said that the feature can "recognise the unique features around the eye" for authentication purposes.

If you opt to use this feature during setup, you will need to rescan your face for Face ID. From there, Face ID will be able to unlock your iPhone even when you're wearing a mask.

In the Settings app, there's a new "Use Face ID with a Mask" toggle that can be turned on or off if you change your mind about the mask, and there's a new feature to "Add Glasses" to make Face ID more accurate when you're wearing glasses and a mask at the same time.

Apple warns in the Settings app that Face ID is "most accurate" when it's set up for full-face recognition only. For a Face ID with a mask to work, you must be looking at your device to get it to unlock, and it does not work when wearing sunglasses.

Face ID with a mask can authenticate Apple Pay payments and it can be used instead of a login and password in apps that support Face ID, unlike the prior Apple Watch Face ID feature.

The report mentioned that it looks like the Face ID with a mask feature requires an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 model, as the feature is not available for users who have the iPhone 11 at this time.