Strategies for getting FaceID to work better on ipad

[ndouglas]

Do folks have suggestions for using FaceID with mask on? I notice a few posts in this thread back in March 2022 that at least some seem to use it successfully. I can’t do so despite going through the “set up alternate ID” rolling my head in circles process. I don’t see how it was even setting up an alternate ID since when I tried to do so with a mask on, the process would not go forward and stated some error message like “part of your face is covered, remove cover to scan.”

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

[HDFan]

I don’t see how it was even setting up an alternate ID since when I tried to do so with a mask on, the process would not go forward and stated some error message like “part of your face is covered, remove cover to scan.”

I think you have to do your scan with mask off. The instructions below are a bit unclear. When trying to unlock with a mask it should use that data to realize it is you even with a mask. I say should, most time I try it it doesn't work.

Use Face ID while wearing a mask with iPhone 12 and later - Apple Support

With iOS 15.4 or later, you can use Face ID with a mask to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask.

support.apple.com

 

[Slartibart]

Should this work on iPadOS? I think not - at least on iPadOS 15.6.1 isn’t an option »use Facetime with mask« in the Face ID & Passcode settings.

 

[ndouglas]

Yeah, I think I’m out of luck. Someone commented it (FaceID w/ mask) is an iPhone-only feature. Bummer!

 

[Slartibart]

Yeah, I think I’m out of luck. Someone commented it (FaceID w/ mask) is an iPhone-only feature. Bummer!

I know that people scanned their face wearing half a surgical mask and sett this up sucessfully as an alternate appearance, allowing them to unlock their iPP when wearing a mask.

Taking from here:

Alright, so here’s where the hacking comes into play. You’re going to tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance, then tap Get Started. Just like the first time you set up Face ID, your iPhone is going to start searching for your face and asking you to turn your face in a circle.

We’re going to complete this process, but instead of doing it normally, we’re going to cover part of our face up with the face mask we normally wear. Take your face mask and fold it in half, then use it to cover the right side of your nose, mouth, and chin. Just like you were wearing your face mask normally, except only on half of your face.

Once you’re holding your mask in place as described above, start to complete your Face ID scan. Hold your iPhone in front of your face and slowly turn your head, so that your iPhone begins registering half of your face mask and about 3/4 of your face simultaneously.

If you get a message telling you that your face is obstructed, try adjusting your grip on the mask so that your fingers aren’t in the way. If the message doesn’t go away, slowly slide your face mask more and more to the right of your face (so that more of your face is exposed) until it accepts your face scan.

You should be asked to do two scans of your face. Both times, keep your mask in the same spot.