Roger Fingas
The Face ID system on Apple's iPhone X will only recognize one face per device, short-circuiting a strategy some people used with Touch ID, according to Apple.
The limitation was confirmed by iMore's Rene Ritchie, as well as by TechCrunch. The measure will force iPhone X owners sharing with family to either unlock the device themselves, or make sure relatives have their passcode.
Touch ID lets people add multiple fingerprints through the iOS Settings app. Ostensibly for this is for one person using multiple digits, but in practice, it's possible to reserve a few for loved ones — ensuring for example that a phone's data isn't inaccessible in an emergency.
iOS doesn't normally support multiple accounts, and the Face ID setup process scans users at a variety of angles, in theory elimnating any need to save several faces. The technology should even adapt as a person ages, changes hairstyles, or adds accessories like hats and glasses.
Face ID has already proven controversial for other reasons, such as concerns about security and privacy. U.S. Senator Al Franken has submitted a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking him to provide details on how the company intends to protect customer data, prevent spoofing, and support a diverse range of people.
It's uncertain how a single-user limit will affect other aspects of the iPhone X, such as its ability to stay unlocked when it senses a person looking at it. If that's cued to a single individual, a device might suddenly shut off when it's being shared with a friend.
The iPhone X with the Super Retina Display and FaceID ships on Nov. 3.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
68 Comments
Well that's absolutely counter to what Gurman said, tho based on what you've discovered and considering that it is from Apple themselves he was plainly mistaken. With that said I'm really extremely surprised it is locked to one specific face.
Can't you share passcode(like adding extra fingerID) with family members if you want to share iPhone X ?
Edit: Ignore this part - I see this is supposed to work, we'll try it again (but only get to for a short time) -
I tried adding my fingerprint to my wife's phone once, her finger print stopped working, we haven't tried it since then. The answer to allowing a family member to unlock your phone is the same as it's always been, let them know your pass code.And so much of this article is just ridiculous, like this:
Face ID has already proven controversial for other reasons, such as concerns about security and privacy.
Only by people who don't understand how it works.
and this:
a device might suddenly shut off when it's being shared with a friend
Give Apple some credit here.