iOS 15.4, the latest update to Apple’s iPhone software, is here and one of the biggest new features is the ability to use Face ID with a mask on. If you’ve ever tried to unlock your iPhone or use Apple Pay with a mask on, you know that it’s pretty much impossible. Usually, you have to either manually type in your passcode or pull your mask down under your chin — but those days are over.
As long as you have an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 15.4, you can easily go into your phone’s settings and toggle on the new setting, which uses the features around your eyes to authenticate that it’s really you, even with a mask on.
However, if you own an older iPhone model or simply don’t want to update to iOS 15.4 just yet, there’s another way to unlock your iPhone with a mask on — using your Apple Watch. Check out both methods in the story below.
And for more, here’s everything we know so far about iOS 16, and these are the new emoji coming in iOS 15.4.
This new feature is exclusive to iOS 15.4 and is only available on the iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. Once you update, you’ll see the option to use Face ID with a mask on during the welcome screen, but you can also do the following to enable the new feature:
1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
2. Next, go into Face ID & Passcode and enter your passcode.
3. Toggle on Face ID With a Mask.
4. On the next page, choose the Use Face ID With a Mask option.
5. Finally, remove your mask, if you have one on, and set up Face ID.
