Apple wants to make Face ID work better with your face mask. This is what we know

Trying to unlock your iPhone ($ 699 at Apple) with Face ID while wearing a face mask is an exercise in frustration. Face ID requires your eyes, nose and mouth to be visible in order to work. This means it will not work with every type of facial. Currently, you should either let Face ID fail a few times before being asked for your PIN, or turn off Apple's facial recognition technology altogether.

As more people follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation that people start to have some form of facial coverage in the pubic area, and companies begin to demand that customers wear a face mask does not go away. There is evidence that an extra layer of protection can delay the spread of COVID-19 even if homemade masks are not so good at blocking the smallest particles compared a medical grade mask. (By the way, here you can buy a face mask online .)

Apple has started addressing this in an upcoming version of iOS . I've tried the beta software, which changes how Face ID works when you wear a mask. The change is subtle, but my own tests show that the unlocking process is now faster when I have a face cover.

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Here's what we know about Face ID in iOS 13.5

Apple released iOS 13.5 as a preview for developers and as part of the public beta program. It includes a new Group FaceTime setting, tools for developers to build COVID-19 contract tracking apps and services and improvements to Face ID.

The Face ID change is subtle, with Face ID only trying to recognize your face once before asking for a PIN. Alternatively, you can now swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone's screen to go directly to the PIN – no Face ID interaction required and your phone is still safe.

If you are an essential worker who is tired of constantly fighting Face ID, you can sign up for Apple's public beta program and install iOS 13.5 before it is officially released. The potential downside here is that it is a beta and that means there will be some minor bugs and problems. I've had iOS 13.5 since its release and haven't encountered major issues yet, but it's something you should keep an eye out for.

Visit the Apple Beta Software Program site from your phone and tap the Sign In button. Sign in with your Apple ID and follow the instructions. You need to download and approve the installation of a device profile, then you can install iOS 13.5 by going to Settings > General > Software Update .

If you don't want to take your chances with a beta version of iOS, you can wait until iOS 13.5 is officially released. We don't know how long it will take to happen, but it will likely happen in the coming weeks, not months.

While you wait for the update, you have a few options for using Face ID while wearing less face hassle. Whatever you do, don't quickly pull your mask down to unlock your phone. This primarily negates the purpose of wearing a mask, which is to slow down the spread of the coronavirus through personal transmission.

Disable Face ID on your iPhone

Here you need to go to disable Face ID and tune it when used:

1. Open the app Settings on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode .

3. Enter your passcode when prompted.

If you only want to disable Face ID for specific tasks, such as unlocking your phone or approving Apple Pay purchases, use the switch at the top of the screen to disable Face ID for iPhone Unlock. That means your phone is not trying to scan your face at all. Instead, swipe up as soon as the screen on your phone wakes up and enter your passcode.

Then disable Face ID for Apple Pay. This means that on the Apple Pay screen, you must tap the Pay with Password button and then enter your code before the transaction can be completed.

By disabling Face ID for specific tasks, you can still use Apple's safe face unlock technology when signing in to apps or approving App Store purchases. Those are tasks you are likely to do at home now more often when you are not wearing a mask at all.

Another advantage of disabling Face ID for individual tasks is that you can enable it again as soon as you get home without having to go through the Face ID installation process again.

To completely disable Face ID and use a passcode for it, tap Reset Face ID and confirm your decision. You then use a passcode instead of Face ID to unlock your phone, Apple Pay and App Store purchases.

Do you need help finding materials to make your own masks at home? We can help you find the materials you need . While you are at home, takes time to master the latest features of your iPhone including how to mute your phone against unknown callers .