iPad Pro Face ID has become so much worse for me with M4 iPad Pro (right handed)

[Mazda 3s]

First world problems, but I’ve noticed that I have far more Face ID failures with my new M4 iPad Pro than my old M1 model with the new positioning of the Face ID camera. I never had a problem with Face ID before. But now, my right hand blocks the camera most of the time because my right hand is what I use to navigate the screen either with my finger or Apple Pencil. So it’s always blocking, which means I always get a rejection, then have to reposition to get a positive ID. It’s a hard habit to break.

Much prefer the old location, since I never use my iPad for videoconferencing — only my MBP. But majority rules, I guess 😆

 

[Isengardtom]

Im the other way round as a left handed person it’s much better

 

[Mazda 3s]

Im the other way round as a left handed person it’s much better

Well, I guess you lefties deserve a win — they’re hard to come by for you guys 🤣

 

[sparksd]

Also the other way around for me. I'm right-handed but always hold my iPad in landscape so I saw more failures with the camera at the top in portrait mode.

 

[DaPhox]

Agreed. Its a bad location. Should be top for 11”. Side for 13”. Current makes no sense.

 

[Apple_Robert]

As a leftie, I had a lot of rejections with the 2020 iPad Pro. So glad that that is no longer the case.

 

[Aka757]

I use the iPad almost exclusively in landscape, so the Face ID camera placement is a huge win for me. Always used to block the camera when holding the iPad in my left hand previously

 

[Mazda 3s]

Agreed. Its a bad location. Should be top for 11”. Side for 13”. Current makes no sense.

It makes sense if you use the iPad to make video calls AND use the Magic Keyboard.

But an iPad Pro + keyboard is far inferior to my 14-inch MacBook Pro, so I don’t bother.

 

[heretiq]

First world problems, but I’ve noticed that I have far more Face ID failures with my new M4 iPad Pro than my old M1 model with the new positioning of the Face ID camera. I never had a problem with Face ID before. But now, my right hand blocks the camera most of the time because my right hand is what I use to navigate the screen either with my finger or Apple Pencil. So it’s always blocking, which means I always get a rejection, then have to reposition to get a positive ID. It’s a hard habit to break.

Much prefer the old location, since I never use my iPad for videoconferencing — only my MBP. But majority rules, I guess 😆

I‘m right handed and encountered this dynamic as well. Simple fix for me is to glance at the camera during FaceID interval. Of course your mileage may vary if your hand is blocking the camera. Despite this issue, I still prefer the landscape camera and consider it an improvement.

 

[mpetrides]

Interesting discussion. I have noticed that I frequently have a Face ID failure when I first pick up my M4 iPad Pro 13 inch but that if I try a second time, FaceID works fine. This discussion got me to thinking why.

My conclusion is that when I first pick up my iPP, I hold it by the right edge because I don't want my Pencil Pro to fall off. Once I have a failed login using FaceID, I pay a tiny bit more attention to where my hand is placed (often without consciously noticing I am doing so) and Bob's your uncle... FaceID works the second time.

Hopefully, now that I'm aware it's not just me, being more intentional about hand placement will reduce the number of FaceID failures for me.

Implicit in the above is the fact that when I am using my iPP as a handheld tablet, I am typically using it to read or to handwrite, both of which work better for me in portrait mode.

 

[Mazda 3s]

Interesting discussion. I have noticed that I frequently have a Face ID failure when I first pick up my M4 iPad Pro 13 inch but that if I try a second time, FaceID works fine. This discussion got me to thinking why.

My conclusion is that when I first pick up my iPP, I hold it by the right edge because I don't want my Pencil Pro to fall off. Once I have a failed login using FaceID, I pay a tiny bit more attention to where my hand is placed (often without consciously noticing I am doing so) and Bob's your uncle... FaceID works the second time.

Hopefully, now that I'm aware it's not just me, being more intentional about hand placement will reduce the number of FaceID failures for me.

Implicit in the above is the fact that when I am using my iPP as a handheld tablet, I am typically using it to read or to handwrite, both of which work better for me in portrait mode.

Yup. I have a case on my iPad with an integrated Apple Pencil holder and a cover the hinges on the left. So I always pick the iPad up with my right hand and open the cover with my left hand. Instant Face ID fail 😂

 

[klasma]

You can just hold the iPad upside down, so that the camera is on the left.

The correct™ solution would be to have sensors and cameras on both the short and the long side, but apparently Apple is too cheap for that.

 

[AlexJaye]

You can just hold the iPad upside down, so that the camera is on the left.

The correct™ solution would be to have sensors and cameras on both the short and the long side, but apparently Apple is too cheap for that.

“Apple is too cheap for that” hit it on the head right there.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

First world problems, but I’ve noticed that I have far more Face ID failures with my new M4 iPad Pro than my old M1 model with the new positioning of the Face ID camera. I never had a problem with Face ID before. But now, my right hand blocks the camera most of the time because my right hand is what I use to navigate the screen either with my finger or Apple Pencil. So it’s always blocking, which means I always get a rejection, then have to reposition to get a positive ID. It’s a hard habit to break.

Much prefer the old location, since I never use my iPad for videoconferencing — only my MBP. But majority rules, I guess 😆

I can't believe no one has posted this.

"You're holding it wrong." - Steve Jobs



But, seriously folks...

 

[Apple_Robert]

I can't believe no one has posted this.

"You're holding it wrong." - Steve Jobs



But, seriously folks...

Steve never said that.

 

[coachgq]

First world problems, but I’ve noticed that I have far more Face ID failures with my new M4 iPad Pro than my old M1 model with the new positioning of the Face ID camera. I never had a problem with Face ID before. But now, my right hand blocks the camera most of the time because my right hand is what I use to navigate the screen either with my finger or Apple Pencil. So it’s always blocking, which means I always get a rejection, then have to reposition to get a positive ID. It’s a hard habit to break.

Much prefer the old location, since I never use my iPad for videoconferencing — only my MBP. But majority rules, I guess 😆

I never use my MacBook for video conferencing, only my iPad Pro. It’s been great having a repositioned camera.

 

[richpjr]

I use the iPad almost exclusively in landscape, so the Face ID camera placement is a huge win for me. Always used to block the camera when holding the iPad in my left hand previously

Exactly the same thing for me - so glad they moved it.

 

[d5aqoëp]

I can't believe no one has posted this.

"You're holding it wrong." - Steve Jobs



But, seriously folks...

He never said that. He said “Just don’t hold it that way”

 

[subjonas]

Instead of moving the camera to the long side, I would have preferred the Magic Keyboard (and other stands) have a portrait stand mode. I prefer using my iPads in portrait unless I’m split screening, and the camera is at a higher level that way too which is a more natural looking angle. Or if that’s not feasible for some reason, then I would have preferred a landscape camera built into the MK, even though that would have increased the price. But it is what it is, I’ll live I guess 😆.

 

[subjonas]

The correct™ solution would be to have sensors and cameras on both the short and the long side, but apparently Apple is too cheap for that.

“Apple is too cheap for that” hit it on the head right there.

Do any companies offer tablets with cameras for each orientation?

 

[DaPhox]

It makes sense if you use the iPad to make video calls AND use the Magic Keyboard.

Only then for 11”. So its not a portable device then?

 

[leifp]

Personally, I think the horizontal camera placement is ideal on the 13” models (I almost never used it free of a keyboard case), a bit of a split on the 11” (about 70/30 case/free hand), and would be a total mistake on the mini (always free).

That said, I can see use cases where the camera location changes depending on the individual not the outright size of the device.

Like the OP, I just have to get used to the new camera location right as I returned to the 11” size… it’s a bit of a glass half full debate. ”Those who like it, like it a lot”

 

[retrocool]

My M4 iPad has had A LOT of failures with face ID, whereas the hat, sunglasses and false moustache I bought on the same day have been absolutely trouble-free. Sort it out, Tim Apple!

 

[TheGeneralist]

[...] It’s a hard habit to break. [...]

Might be, but IMHO it's surely worth it.

[...] But majority rules, I guess 😆

Fortunately, yes.

Enjoying the Landscape camera on my iPP 13" a lot - both options have their advantages and disadvantages, but placing it at the longer side clearly beats the old setup for me.

 

[Analog Kid]

This is exactly the opposite problem many of us had when the camera was on the narrow side... I use the 13" almost exclusively in landscape. With the M1 my hand was always on the camera. I finally developed the muscle memory to lift my thumb when I was authenticating. With the M4, it's really nice not to have to worry about it-- but funnily enough I find myself still lifting my thumb out of habit.

The times I do use it in portrait is when I'm taking notes. It'll sit to the side of my laptop during a meeting and I'll scribble on it. The old camera placement made it hard to wake back up without leaning over to the iPad so it could see my face. With the camera rotated to the side nearest me on the M4, it wakes up without a problem.

There's no perfect placement, apparently, but I'm happier now than I was...