Apple is now close to launching iOS 15.4 with its improved FaceID features.
After more than two years in the pandemic, rumors have resurfaced that Apple may never use the Touch ID sensor again on its flagship iPhones. When iOS 15.4 comes out in a few weeks, Apple will demonstrate how it could keep focusing on Face ID for a long time.
It's interesting that iOS 14.5 was a big update for iPhone users because it let them unlock their phones with the Apple Watch. It's also interesting that it's releasing another important software feature in the middle of the year.
iPhone's FaceID
9to5Mac reported that this new operating system would let people unlock their iPhones even if they wore masks.
Apple describes TrueDepth system will have the ability to "recognize the unique features around the eye to authenticate" the user's face.
A user wearing a mask will have the ability to unlock their iPhone since it is recognized by the TrueDepth system when they are near the Apple Watch unlock feature.
On the other hand, Apple Pay and third-party apps didn't work before since they only looked at a mask and not the person.
With the beta version of iOS 15.4, iPhone users can now use FaceID on the street. With this feature, users would access their email app, WhatsApp, Apple Pay, and other apps that require facial recognition with ease.
Face ID iOS 15.4
The iOS 15.4 Face ID with a Mask lets users unlock their iPhone while wearing accessories like eyeglasses and a mask. However, the device might ask users to "Look Down" to unlock their device. If users are holding their iPhone lower than their eye level, this message will show up.
Previously, the iPhone FaceID needed to see users' faces to make the unlocking feature work, so this pop-up message asking users to look down shows up.
According to The Verge, Apple tries to fix that in iOS 15.4 by making Face ID work even when people are wearing masks, focusing on the top part of their faces to unlock the phone and identify them.
In iOS 13.5 and iOS 14.5 last year, Apple tried to solve the problem of Face ID and masks. When users are wearing a mask, iOS 13.5 will show the password prompt more quickly.
When users wear an Apple Watch, iOS 14.5 would automatically unlock their iPhone. When Face ID masks are now supported by iOS, it's a much more simple solution that doesn't require any new Apple hardware to work.
Read Also: iPhone Invisible Ink Lets You Hide Your Text Messages From Snooping Strangers: How to Use
iOS 15.4 Tap to Pay on iPhone
Aside from the improved FaceID option of iOS 14.5, the update is also working on the "Tap to Pay" feature.
"Tap to Pay on iPhone" is a new feature in the second beta of iOS 15.4 that Apple will introduce to its users. This feature allows NFC-compatible iPhones to accept payments through Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets without the need for extra hardware.
In the iOS 15.4 beta, users can use Tap to Pay on their iPhones. It works. However, users still need third-party providers to support it, and it can't be used as a stand-alone feature just yet.
There aren't any signs that show up to the people who use the app. On top of that, there is a new "Payment Received" sound file and images that show off the Tap to Pay interface.
