Is Face ID Secure & Safe? (All You Need To Know)

If you recently purchased a new iPhone, you may wish to set up Face ID. However, if you’re not tech-savvy, you may want more information about it beforehand. For instance, is Face ID secure & safe? 

Well, I have been looking into Face ID and have all you need to know about its security and safety, so read further to learn what I’ve discovered about this topic!

Is Face ID Secure & Safe? 

Face ID is secure and safe in [currentyear]. By using Face ID instead of Touch ID, the chances of your phone being broken into jump to one in a million instead of one in 50,000. Also, Face ID uses biometric recognition that utilizes a TrueDepth camera and machine learning so that only your unique face can unlock your device. 

Do you have other questions about the security or safety of Face ID, like if Face ID is safe for banking? If so, continue reading as I’ll answer more of the most common questions below! 

Is Apple Face ID Safe for Banking?

Apple Face ID is safefor banking because the odds of someone being able to unlock your device is one in one million, since everyone has a unique face and facial features. 

For example, Face ID makes a mathematical representation of your face using both machine learning and the TrueDepth camera with more than 30,000 invisible dots. 

Furthermore, Face ID will protect this data and encode it using a Secure Enclave, which is then protected by a key. Therefore, there is almost no way someone can break into your device. 

So, when you talk about using Face ID for banking, it’s significantly safer than Touch ID or other security methods like just using a passcode or pattern lock. 

What Are the Disadvantages of Face ID?

There are some disadvantages to using Face ID, as facial recognition is still new and the technology can be manipulated in some instances.

In addition, there are privacy concerns with some saying that Face ID violates both personal rights and freedoms. However, on average, it’s still better and safer. 

Is Face ID Safer Than Fingerprint ID?

Face ID is more secure and safer than a fingerprint, since a fingerprint has the chance of unlocking your device at about 1 in 50,000, whereas Face ID goes to one in a million. 

Therefore, Face ID is over 20 times as secure as fingerprint technology, since those 30,000 invisible sensors are making a detailed map of your face that is unlikely to be replicated. 

How Can I Make My Face ID More Secure?

While Face ID is fairly secure by default, there are things that you can do to make Face ID even safer to protect your information. This includes the following:

  • Enable “Require Attention” for Face ID through the “Settings” to require your eyes to be open when using Face ID for authentication 
  • Limit access to your information from the lock screen
  • Activate Find My in case your iPhone gets lost or stolen
  • Create a strong passcode for your device 
  • Manage which apps use Face ID

Can the iPhone Work Without Face ID?

You can use your iPhone without Face ID. If you already set it up but wish to disable Face ID, follow the steps below:

  1. Go into your “Settings” 
  2. Select “Face ID & Passcode” 
  3. Enter your passcode
  4. Select the option to turn off the iPad or iPhone unlock option for Face ID 
  5. You also can completely disable Face ID by entering your passcode and then clicking “Reset Face ID” 

Can a Picture Unlock Face ID?

Unlike Android’s facial unlock feature, Apple’s Face ID cannot be fooled by a picture, as Apple’s Face ID is more technologically advanced and won’t work with 2D or 3D pictures. 

Therefore, Face ID is more secure and safe since you can’t use a photograph to unlock the device or authenticate a payment. 

Does Face ID Send Data?

Face ID doesn’t send data to a network and the Face ID data isn’t sent to the cloud or anywhere else.

In addition, the data is stored in the Secure Enclave of the iPhone, which is encrypted and protected so you don’t need to worry about Apple having this data on its servers.

Can You Unlock Face ID With Your Eyes Closed?

You can’t unlock Face ID with your eyes closed because the technology will scan your iris as part of the Face ID authentication process. 

Can Face ID Be Fooled by Twins?

Face ID could be fooled by Twins, which Apple stated in 2017 during an event. However, it would still be fairly difficult to crack unless they were identical twins with identical features. 

However, you only have 5 chances with Face ID to match the face before a passcode is then required, so it’s not guaranteed a twin could get it to match in only 5 attempts. 

Does Apple Face ID Work With Glasses?

Apple Face ID does work with glasses, and what’s great is that you can add up to four different pairs of glasses by following the steps below:

  1. Go into the “Settings”
  2. Select “Face ID & Passcode” 
  3. Select “Add Glasses”
  4. Click on “Continue” 
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen 

Does Apple Face ID Work With a Mask?

Another reason Face ID is secure and safe is that you can still access your device wearing a mask and it’ll still match your face provided you’ve updated to iOS 15.4. 

Further, if you’d like to enable Face ID to work with a mask, just go into “Settings” and then select “Face ID & Passcode” and toggle the “Face ID with Mask” switch to turn it on.

To know more, you can also read our posts on Apple Refurbished, Apple Upgrade Program, and Apple One.

Conclusion

Apple Face ID is secure and safe because 30,000 invisible sensors make up a detailed mathematical sketch of your face, including scanning your iris and all facial features. 

Therefore, with Face ID, the chance of your phone being broken into is about one in a million, as opposed to 1 in 50,000 with Touch ID.

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Mackenzie Jerks

Mackenzie is a freelance writer and editor, published author, and music enthusiast who holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. When she’s not writing, Mackenzie is either wrapped up in a book, discovering new music, or introducing herself to a new fitness regimen.

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