What is Face ID? How does it work on Smartphones?

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Content

1. How does Face ID work?

2. Setting up Face ID

3. Can Face ID be used for payments?

4. Can Face ID be used with other apps?

5. Is Face ID truly secure?

6. What to do if someone steals your phone?

Apple's Face ID is a new facial recognition technology integrated into the iPhone X in 2017. To delve into the details of this modern technology, check out the article below by Mytour.

Face ID is the replacement technology for Apple's Touch ID fingerprint system for the latest iPhones, including the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, and in the future, we may see this technology in other iPhone models.

Face ID: Definition, Setup, and Operation

Face ID utilizes the 'TrueDepth camera system,' comprising sensors, a camera, and a dot projector located at the top of the iPhone screen, capable of emitting 3D V-shaped light beams to construct a model of your face. Each time you glance at your phone, the system performs a secure authentication check, allowing device access and payment authorization only upon recognizing you.

Article Contents:
1. How does Face ID work?.
1.1. The TrueDepth camera system.
1.2. Neural network.
1.3. A11/A12 chip => Chip.
2. Setting up Face ID.
3. Can Face ID be used for payments?.
4. Is Face ID compatible with other apps?.
5. Is Face ID truly secure?.
6. What to do if your phone is stolen?.

1. How does Face ID work?

1.1. The TrueDepth camera system

When you look at your iPhone X (or newer models), the TrueDepth camera system detects your face using the Flood Illuminator, even in low light conditions.

The infrared camera then takes a photo, and the dot projector projects over 30,000 infrared dots onto your face. The system uses the infrared image and dots, passing them through neural networks to create a mathematical model encoding your face.

1.2. Neural network

The iPhone X (or newer iPhones) scans your face and checks if it matches what you've set up and stored on your device, allowing access or Apple Pay transactions only if it matches.

Apple stated they have collaborated with thousands of individuals worldwide, collecting a billion images. Alongside, they have developed numerous neural networks to shape the Face ID technology.

1.3. A11/A12 Chip => Chip

To handle all the necessary data for Face ID, through device research, Apple had to develop the A11 chip. This chip has been upgraded to A12 in iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, contributing to further improvements for Face ID technology. In the upcoming iPhone models, it will be upgraded to the A13 chip promising even more advancements.

These chips are specialized hardware built with artificial intelligence algorithms. They can process hundreds of billions of operations per second, hence are utilized for recognition technologies like Face ID.

2. Setting up Face ID

To set up Face ID, simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to Settings
Step 2: Select Face ID & Passcode
Step 3: Enter your password
Step 4: Tap on Enroll Face (below Face ID)
Step 5: Choose 'Get Started' and follow the on-screen instructions
Step 6: Position your face within the frame
Step 7: Move your head to allow the device to scan your face

When setting up Face ID, remember to move your head slowly so that Face ID can fully recognize your face. The setup process performs two scans to learn your face, so if you change hairstyles, wear sunglasses, or grow a beard, Face ID can still adapt and function normally. Face ID works both day and night.

3. Can Face ID be used for payments?

Aside from unlocking your phone, Face ID can be used to make payments for everything through Apple Pay.

Simply double-click the side button on the phone's edge as usual. Then, look at the phone screen to authenticate, and once authenticated, you can proceed to use it.

4. Can Face ID be used with other apps?

Face ID also works with many third-party apps, including various banking apps like Mint, One Password, and E-trade.

5. Is Face ID truly secure?

Upon the launch of Face ID, Apple stated the company made efforts to ensure nothing could deceive Face ID. Apple even collaborated with mask and makeup experts in Hollywood to train artificial intelligence for Face ID to detect any deception.

Your facial data is also protected by secure enclosures within the chips, and all processing is done on the A11 or A12 chips. This means your facial data won't be transmitted to Apple's servers.

Face ID also requires your attention when unlocking, so if you close your eyes or look away, Face ID won't unlock. According to Apple, the likelihood of someone unlocking an iPhone X (or newer models) with Face ID is one in a million, far superior to Touch ID.

6. What to do if someone steals your phone?

In an email responding to developer Keith Krimbel's question about handling phone theft with iPhone X, Apple's Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, stated there are two ways to handle the situation. If you're not looking at the phone, you won't unlock it. Furthermore, if you press the buttons on both sides of the phone firmly, you can temporarily disable Face ID.

Here, Mytour has just introduced in detail the new feature Face ID on iPhone. If you have any questions or need clarification on topics like What is Apple ID, please feel free to leave your comments below the article.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the TrueDepth camera system in Face ID work?

The TrueDepth camera system detects your face using the Flood Illuminator, even in low light. It takes an infrared photo and projects over 30,000 infrared dots to create a detailed mathematical model of your face for authentication.

What steps are involved in setting up Face ID on my iPhone?

To set up Face ID, go to Settings, select Face ID & Passcode, and enter your password. Follow the on-screen instructions to enroll your face, ensuring you move your head slowly for optimal recognition.

Is Face ID secure enough for financial transactions through Apple Pay?

Yes, Face ID is secure for Apple Pay transactions. It requires your facial recognition to authenticate before any payment is processed, ensuring that only you can authorize purchases.

Can I use Face ID with third-party applications on my iPhone?

Yes, Face ID is compatible with many third-party applications, including banking apps like Mint and One Password. This enhances security and convenience for app logins and transactions.

What should I do if my iPhone is stolen and I use Face ID?

If your iPhone is stolen, press the buttons on both sides firmly to temporarily disable Face ID. Since it won't unlock without your gaze, this feature adds a layer of security.