Face ID is a quick and secure way to unlock your iPhone, but you might not realize that you can use it with more than one face. This second face may be that of a loved one, allowing your partner or child to unlock your phone without having a problem finding you while you are not around.
This feature is referred to as adding an “alternate appearance”, and it’s aimed at users who may wear varied headwear for their profession during the day, such as safety equipment. It may, however, be used to add another person to your iPhone’s Face ID list.
Which iPhones can use the alternate appearance feature?
Obviously, this is only available on Face ID-enabled devices, which includes all iPhones since the iPhone X, with the exception of the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2020). Basically, if your smartphone already has a Face ID, you may set up a second appearance.
If you have an earlier iPhone version you can’t use this feature, but you still can use touch ID.
Is it possible to use a face mask during one of my Face ID appearances?
While this would be quite helpful in these COVID-ravaged days, the scanning procedure always detects a mask and prompts you to remove it. We believe this is to avoid false positives that could allow someone wearing a mask to gain access to your device.
This prevention will affect unlocking the iPhone using a passcode or you may lower your mask for a short time in order for your face to recognize by your iPhone.
Set up an alternate appearance in iPhone
Setting up facial recognition for a second appearance or person follows the identical steps as setting up Face ID for the first time. The following are the measures you must take.
- Start by opening up the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll the screen down and select Face ID & Passcode.
- Enter your passcode to continue.
- Tap on Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
- Tap on Get Started at the bottom of the screen.
- Scan your face as normal, or the person you’re adding will go through the Face ID scan process like you do when you first set up your iPhone.
- The process will take twice facial scans.
- Tap Done to complete the process.
That’s it. The second person you added will be able to use their face to unlock your phone right away. Of course, they can still enter your passcode if they know it, even if their face isn’t added to Face ID.
