Face ID

posted march 17, 2021, 9:10 AM by Laurel Palli ‎(2023)‎

With every new iPhone, there are many new technological features. Perhaps one of the more noticeable ones is Face ID. However, how does this mysterious face memorizer work?

Face ID is a facial-recognition technology that launched on the iPhone X in 2017. It uses a TrueDepth camera system, which is made up of sensors, cameras, and a dot projector to create a detailed 3D map of your face. Every time you look at your phone, the system conducts a secure authentication check, enabling your device to be unlocked or your payment to be authorized instantly if the system recognizes you. There are a lot more hardware factors incorporated in Face ID, including the TrueDepth camera system, neural networks, and Bionic chips. The TrueDepth camera will detect your faces with a flood illuminator and then an infrared camera will take a photo of your face with the dot projector projecting many thousands of dots. The system uses the infrared image along with the dots to build a mathematical model of your face. The neural network will check the mathematical model of your face that is being stored to the one trying to open the phone, if it is a match it will open. They use the bionic chips to process all the data required for face ID through machine learning. The bionic chips are specialized hardware built for a set of machine learning algorithms.

Face ID also adjusts to variations in your appearance, like wearing makeup or growing facial hair. If there is a major change to your face, like shaving a beard, Face ID will confirm your identity by using your passcode before it updates your face data. The technology is designed to be compatible with hats, scarves, contact lenses, and most sunglasses. Unfortunately, the face masks used during this pandemic are not compatible with face ID because there is not enough data and imaging of your face to ensure it is actually you. The most common issues of using face ID come from having your eyes closed or not directly looking at the screen. The chance of someone else being able to unlock your phone is one in one million according to Apple.


How to set up Face ID:


  1. Go to Settings

  2. Go to Face ID & Passcode

  3. Enter your passcode

  4. Select 'Enroll Face'

  5. Tap 'Get Started' and follow the on-screen prompts


https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/apple/142207-what-is-apple-face-id-and-how-does-it-work