iPhone X Is it me, or does Face ID suck? [MERGED]

[blairh]

So I have to be honest... I finally broke down and got the iPhone X... I'm coming from a 5s... So it was kind of overdue for me to get a new phone... While I think the new iPhone X is cool... I have to admit ID is pretty horrible compared to the touch ID. It's a step backwards. There were so many situations where it was easy to open my phone with Touch ID, where it's hard to open it with Face ID. And there are a too many situations where I just can't open the phone at all (because it doesn't recognize me...) unless I use my password... I'm disappointed... Is apple really getting rid of touch ID forever? Or are they going to introduce it back into the glass of the next iPhone? Also, can this face ID be improved with a software update? Or am I stuck with it like it is?

I've been using an iPhone X since November 3rd. In my experience, FID is a significant step back from TID in terms of reliably unlocking my iPhone daily. FID simply feels like a beta experience at this moment. Unreliable unlocks, unlock animations that linger on screen for a second or two, nearly impossible off a flat surface unless you make an effort to hover your face over your screen.

FID will not get better with software updates. My guess is that FID will improve this fall with a second-gen iPhone X and iPhone X Plus. Much like how TID got faster with a hardware update.

TID is dead. FID is the future. If you really can't live with FID, I suggest you return your iPhone X and get an 8 or 8+.

 

[TallRed]

Here’s the reason why it sucks: the police don’t need a warrant to unlock your phone with FaceID.

A few months ago there was an accident where a semi hit a guy in his private vehicle. The semi driver was killed and the other guy was comatose. The semi driver was clearly at fault but that wasn’t enough for the cops. They would have needed a warrant to unlock his iPhone if it had just had TouchID. But this poor guy had just bought his iPhone X. So they just held up the X to his face, unlocked it, and found evidence of his texting before the crash.

I’m not defending texting while driving at all, but the cops should have to go through the same process for all phones. FaceID makes it too easy for police to circumvent regular procedure. It’s too easy to abuse.

 

[rockitdog]

It's not great.
[doublepost=1523974811][/doublepost]

Do we HAVE to have yet another one of these threads?

Nobody forced you to read or respond to the thread.

 

[The Game 161]

Not sure why those who say it doesn't work. Makes me think they are putting it too close to their face as if you use it naturally should work fine.
[doublepost=1523975201][/doublepost]

Here’s the reason why it sucks: the police don’t need a warrant to unlock your phone with FaceID.

A few months ago there was an accident where a semi hit a guy in his private vehicle. The semi driver was killed and the other guy was comatose. The semi driver was clearly at fault but that wasn’t enough for the cops. They would have needed a warrant to unlock his iPhone if it had just had TouchID. But this poor guy had just bought his iPhone X. So they just held up the X to his face, unlocked it, and found evidence of his texting before the crash.

I’m not defending texting while driving at all, but the cops should have to go through the same process for all phones. FaceID makes it too easy for police to circumvent regular procedure. It’s too easy to abuse.

So he got what he deserved then..good.

 

[AndrewS]

It's you. Came from an iPhone 7 and touchID never worked perfectly. FaceID is MUCH better.

 

[Sean006]

So I have to be honest... I finally broke down and got the iPhone X... I'm coming from a 5s... So it was kind of overdue for me to get a new phone... While I think the new iPhone X is cool... I have to admit ID is pretty horrible compared to the touch ID. It's a step backwards. There were so many situations where it was easy to open my phone with Touch ID, where it's hard to open it with Face ID. And there are a too many situations where I just can't open the phone at all (because it doesn't recognize me...) unless I use my password... I'm disappointed... Is apple really getting rid of touch ID forever? Or are they going to introduce it back into the glass of the next iPhone? Also, can this face ID be improved with a software update? Or am I stuck with it like it is?

OP you are correct it sucks compared to TID
i owned the X twice...once at launch and once up to last friday (14day return ...again)

like the OP....numerous times i had to punch in the code or wait for it to recognize me to unlock..

TID was instant....and apple pay was much easier than double clicking the side button.

i know its going away but ill wait for the Xplus (X is def too small after having a plus) and hope they make this FID better...

yeah right that it never fails and it gets better.....

 

[Phone Junky]

Here’s the reason why it sucks: the police don’t need a warrant to unlock your phone with FaceID.

A few months ago there was an accident where a semi hit a guy in his private vehicle. The semi driver was killed and the other guy was comatose. The semi driver was clearly at fault but that wasn’t enough for the cops. They would have needed a warrant to unlock his iPhone if it had just had TouchID. But this poor guy had just bought his iPhone X. So they just held up the X to his face, unlocked it, and found evidence of his texting before the crash.

I’m not defending texting while driving at all, but the cops should have to go through the same process for all phones. FaceID makes it too easy for police to circumvent regular procedure. It’s too easy to abuse.

Require Attention for Face ID turned on. Don't look at phone. If eyes aren't looking at phone it doesn't unlock.
Or, don't use phone while driving and avoid this predicament altogether.

 

[Raist3001]

My guess is that FID will improve this fall with a second-gen iPhone X and iPhone X Plus. Much like how TID got faster with a hardware update.

I wouldn't count on seeing a GEN2 of FaceID with the 2018 phone releases. More likely in 2019.

 

[44267547]

the police don’t need a warrant to unlock your phone with FaceID..

Your post is utterly false. I work in law-enforcement and I can tell you specifically, law-enforcement can seize your phone without a warrant, but; they cannot access the content without applying for a search warrant first, or; they can access the phone under exigent circumstances, Where they access the phone content for emergency circumstances only. Now, if there are some unethical officers who do you use face ID to access someone’s phone without consent or the proper requirement of a warrant, that would be a fourth amendment violation.

 

[TC_GoldRush]

Return it and pick up an 8 or 8 plus? Or even make the jump to Android, if you really don't like the X's Face ID.

 

[ghostface147]

Face ID is generally a first gen product. I'd say it works about 90% of the time for me. I don't like that it doesn't work landscape and you have to generally be on facing it dead on. You can get a few angles every now and then. TouchID was 100% reliable for me under the recommended circumstances.

 

[Tom G.]

The problems I've had with Face ID are too small to really mention. I believe that it works much better than Touch ID. If your having problems I would call Apple and see if you've set it up correctly. Mine has worked satisfactorily since I got my X, and as mentioned in a previous response it seems to improve with use.

To answer the statement about Face ID and the police, as far as I know the police can require you to unlock your phone with Touch ID, as it is based on your fingerprints which the Supreme Court has determined is public data. The only way that you can prevent this is to use only a pin number to open it, as requiring you to give up that info would be considered self incrimination. However if the police under any circumstances open your phone without either your approval or a court order would find themselves giving a defense attorney all the ammo he needs to defend his client.

 

[Tibits]

I really like Face ID. For me it definitely has less frustrations than Touch ID (even gen2). The one situation in which Face ID regularly fails is at an extreme angle. For instance if the phone is lying flat on my bureau and I try to unlock without picking up the phone and an not standing over it.

 

[runlsd]

detection of face works well. I wish I didn't have to swipe to unlock though. Is there a way to enable face ID to open the phone without swiping? Haven't had iOS in the while

 

[Phone Junky]

After reading seemingly endless threads complaining about Face ID, all I can say is I’m glad I got an iPhone X with the good Face ID. Because obviously something is wrong with Face ID on all of the complainers phones.

 

[MEJHarrison]

Your post is utterly false. I work in law-enforcement and I can tell you specifically, law-enforcement can seize your phone without a warrant, but; they cannot access the content without applying for a search warrant first, or; they can access the phone under exigent circumstances, Where they access the phone content for emergency circumstances only. Now, if there are some unethical officers who do you use face ID to access someone’s phone without consent or the proper requirement of a warrant, that would be a fourth amendment violation.

Thanks for that. It sounded quite false to me as well, but I didn't have any evidence to back that up.

As to the original question, my FaceID works great. The only real failures I get are user error (i.e. trying to unlock it while my hand is covering part of my face).

I'd say a) yours will get better, b) you have faulty hardware or c) you're overstating how bad it actually is. I say that because based on many of these threads in the past, it seems most people are having a positive experience. If you're having as many issues as you claim, I'd take it to an Apple Store. If nothing else, I'd want to validate that my phone is operating as it should. It's too much money to accept a faulty phone.

 

[Allyance]

No it doesn't suck, it takes a little time for it to learn and adjust to you, there fore you must be patient. Only time mine doesn't work is when I have my full face helmet on, TouchID didn't work with my gloves, so I have to punch in code when I get gas either way. You can't please everybody.

 

[PhoneMe1]

It's about as about as good as TID for me, hit and miss but mostly good, i turn it off when i drive for work.

 

[TurboJobo]

Just got the iphone x and although i like everything the FID is not as good as TID. My phone seldom works when trying to unlock it from my desk or when I am waking up on my bed. It is also a lot slower. Im thinking of getting an iphone 8 just because of this. still thinking about it. touch id is lighting fast, works great, any angle, i believe more secure also. also its just a 1 stop program instead of 2-3. while the iphone x is awesome i would of love TID on the back. im sure they could used the apple logo as a finger print reader

 

[m0sher]

In not perfected but Apples facial recognition is the best out right now.

For me, It’s almost flawless and it’s mostly due to my readjusting how I handle the phone compared to Touch ID. I had to retrain myself which didn’t take me long at all. Others mileage may vary.

At least it’s not as bad as G9’s that it runs AR emoji’s so poorly.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.androidauthority.com/samsung-ar-emoji-855845/amp/

Quite frankly I would want to go back to Touch ID as much as I would want to go back to Windows 3.1

 

[CTHarrryH]

I think in all the months I've had X - it has failed maybe 2 times. I think it is great. Touch- ID would fail at least 1 a day and often more

 

[Pspressart]

I haven’t had any problems with FaceID in all the months I have had the X. I think sometimes the problem comes from initializing it. Many people hold the phone close to their face. I held mine as far away as my arm would allow, and I rotated my head as much as possible. This gives the recognition part a much broader set of data to use for the identification. Just my 2 cents.

 

[gdjsnyder]

For me, it’s not so much that Face ID doesn’t work, as it does about 90-95% of the time. My problem with Face ID is the convenience factor. In my job, I’m in meetings at least half the day, and I set my phone down on desk/table/whatever. I used to be able to just turn the screen on, unlock phone and do whatever with it lying on the desk, now I have to either pick the phone up and hold it to my face, or use passcode. Again, not a deal breaker, but definitely a convenience factor.

And, at night, with my phone charging on the nightstand, sometimes I just want to check something really quick, but it won’t unlock with my face being sideways - again, a convenience factor. I don’t hate Face ID and won’t abandon the X (although the red 8 Plus and the Plus’ battery life are calling me...) but I hope this is improved for a wider angle of unlock in the future.

 

[Banglazed]

It works great for me. If you’re having issue unlocking while device is on the desk or face at a distance, you can reset Face ID and try not to hold it so close to your face. I can unlock my device at the farthest arm length and it would unlock. The only issue I have is in the morning when my eyes are barely open and half my face buried in the pillow.

Tap on screen while looking on the device and quickly just swipe up naturally and it just works. It’s convenient and I don’t have to worry about wet fingers or smudges with fingerprint.

Then again, its the 1st generation FaceID

 

[TroyBoy30]

its just you. works great for me