In iOS 15.4, currently in beta, Apple has added a handy new feature that allows you to unlock your iPhone with Face ID and authenticate Apple Pay payments even when you're wearing a mask.

MAsk On Face ID iOS 15
In previous versions of iOS going back to iOS 14.5, it is possible to unlock your ‌iPhone‌ while wearing a mask, but only if you're also wearing an Apple Watch as an extra layer of security. The new option removes the need for an Apple Watch.

Another limitation of the earlier "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature is that it doesn't let you authenticate ‌Apple Pay‌ transactions and app purchases, whereas the new "‌Face ID‌ With a Mask" feature does.

To enable ‌Face ID‌ while wearing a mask, an ‌iPhone‌ "can recognize the unique features around the eye area to authenticate," according to Apple. However, Apple cautions that using ‌Face ID‌ with a mask is less secure, and that the biometric authentication system remains "most accurate" when used with full-face recognition.

Sadly, ‌Face ID‌ With a Mask is limited to some of Apple's newest iPhones, despite ‌Face ID‌ having been available since 2017 with the launch of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ X. ‌Face ID‌ With a Mask is only an option on the ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ and later, so you'll need an ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max or an iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, or 13 Pro Max.

When you update your device to iOS 15.4, you'll see a setup process that walks you through set-up of ‌Face ID‌ With a Mask. To set up the feature manually at a later time, follow these steps. Note that you'll need iOS 15.4 installed on your ‌iPhone‌, and these options won't show up if you have an ‌iPhone‌ 11 or earlier.

  1. Open the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌.
  2. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode.
  3. Enter your passcode.
  4. Toggle on the switch next to Use Face ID With a Mask, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Face ID

Note that ‌Face ID‌ With a Mask doesn't support sunglasses, although Apple has also added the ability to configure ‌Face ID‌ while wearing glasses separately (Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Add Glasses).

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
maxresdefault

These 5 Features Will Make the iPhone 17 the Biggest Update in Years

Monday July 22, 2024 4:02 pm PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. New 'Slim'...
iOS 18 on iPhone Feature

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 4

Tuesday July 23, 2024 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices. Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We've rounded up all of the changes...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Monday July 22, 2024 7:22 am PDT by
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims. The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous ...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...