Pro tip: Face ID for people who switch between glasses and contacts

[Ion-X]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been having this annoying problem where Face ID will recognize me during the day when I go about my business wearing glasses but stops recognizing me once I take my glasses off (in bed) or on those days where I choose to wear contacts. I would have to either enter my passcode or put my glasses on just to unlock. In theory Face ID is supposed to work regardless of facial accessories but this has not been my experience.

The way I solved it was to reset Face ID in Settings and do my first scan with glasses and my second scan without. It accepted both scans no problem. If not for improved accuracy then Apple may have intentionally set up the feature to allow swapping of facial accessories such as glasses, scarves, and wigs (and so two spouses can both unlock).

Hopefully this tip will be of use to someone!

 

[boast]

I did the setup with contacts. I’ve only had to use passcode a few times with my glasses on and it has learned it now.

 

[Ion-X]

I did the setup with contacts. I’ve only had to use passcode a few times with my glasses on and it has learned it now.

Are your glasses thick / prominent? Also does it actually learn? I thought only the initial scan mattered.

 

[Moccasin]

I had no problem last night when I took my contact lenses out. Recognised me straight away with my glasses on. Given that FaceID looks at your facial structure, I didn’t really expect it to be an issue. If I have any problems I’ll update this post but I’m impressed with FaceID so far.

 

[Ion-X]

I had no problem last night when I took my contact lenses out. Recognised me straight away with my glasses on. Given that FaceID looks at your facial structure, I didn’t really expect it to be an issue. If I have any problems I’ll update this post but I’m impressed with FaceID so far.

Wow, Face ID has never recognized me without my glasses. I actually had to redo the scan for last night when I went out with contacts because it was not working at all.

It may be because I have a very strong prescription so the lenses distort my eyes (Face ID seems to look very carefully at eyes).

 

[deadworlds]

I setup faceID with my glasses on and it has had no problems recognizing me with them off.

 

[jgelin]

I set it up glasses off and it does my glasses just fine when I do wear them.

 

[chicagofan00]

I setup FaceID with my contacts in and so far it has not failed to recognize me with my glasses or sunglasses on. Have yet to have a single issue with FaceID.

 

[Moccasin]

Wow, Face ID has never recognized me without my glasses. I actually had to redo the scan for last night when I went out with contacts because it was not working at all.

It may be because I have a very strong prescription so the lenses distort my eyes (Face ID seems to look very carefully at eyes).

I’m at 6/5.25 so pretty strong prescription myself. Does it work if you turn the attention feature off? If so you maybe right that the prescription means that FaceID can’t focus on your eyes.

 

[harkan13]

I set mine up wearing contacts and it works fine with glasses. Haven't had any issues swapping back and forth.

 

[alexcue]

Ditto: Set mine up with Contacts, and wear cheaters. In the evening after I've taken contacts off I wear glasses. Have had no issues with Face ID.

 

[kirkhuffy]

Set mine up with contacts. Hasn't failed yet while wearing glasses (rayban frame) even while in bed in the dark.

 

[Stlcheer]

I set mine up wearing glasses and had no problems when I switched back to contacts.

 

[supertomtom]

I’m at 6/5.25 so pretty strong prescription myself. Does it work if you turn the attention feature off? If so you maybe right that the prescription means that FaceID can’t focus on your eyes.

As the other poster mentioned, would be interesting to see if you still have the same problem with “require attention” turned off. I personally have no issue with glasses on and off with FaceID.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Set up with contacts/no glasses. No issues with glasses on whatsoever.

 

[Baymowe335]

Are your glasses thick / prominent? Also does it actually learn? I thought only the initial scan mattered.

Sounds like you’re doing something wrong. Also, read up on Face ID..it’s a lot more than initial set up.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208108

 

[Thessman]

It's learning, took a couple of times!

 

[MEJHarrison]

It may be because I have a very strong prescription so the lenses distort my eyes (Face ID seems to look very carefully at eyes).

One thing to keep in mind. People with strong prescriptions tend to hold the phone too close (or perhaps too far in some cases?) when they're not wearing anything. So make sure you're holding it at the proper distance to unlock. You might not be able to see it, but it will be able to see you. Once it's unlocked, you can move it to a readable distance.

 

[sean000]

I did my first scan with glasses. It didn’t recognize me at first without glasses. I had to enter my passcode a few times so it would learn to recognize me without glasses. After that it started recognizing me with or without glasses. It also recognizes me with sunglasses. I never had to train it for those.