Face ID

Apple announced Face ID during the unveiling of the iPhone X on September 12, 2017.{{cite web |first=Vlad |last=Savov |title=iPhone X announced with edge-to-edge screen, Face ID, and no home button |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16288806/apple-iphone-x-price-release-date-features-announced |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017}} The system was presented as the successor to Touch ID, Apple's previous fingerprint-based authentication technology embedded in the home button of the iPhone 8 and earlier devices in addition to the second and third-generation iPhone SE.{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/12/face-id-is-replacing-touch-id-on-the-new-iphone-x/|title=Face ID is replacing Touch ID on the new iPhone X|last=Tepper|first=Fitz|date=September 12, 2017|work=TechCrunch|access-date=December 13, 2017|publisher=Oath Inc.}} On September 12, 2018, Apple introduced the iPhone XS and XR with faster neural network processing speeds, providing a significant speed increase to Face ID. On October 30, 2018, Apple introduced the third generation iPad Pro, which brings Face ID to the iPad and allows face recognition in any orientation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/10/30/17846264/new-ipad-pro-2018-price-release-date-specs-usb-c-face-id|title=Apple's new iPad Pro has Face ID, USB-C, and slimmer bezels than ever before|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-11-20}} iOS 13 included an upgraded version of Face ID which is up to 30% faster than Face ID on previous versions.{{cite web | last=Koetsier | first=John | title=Apple Finally Gets Face Unlock Right: iPhone 11 And iOS 13 | website=Forbes | date=September 23, 2019 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2019/09/23/apple-finally-gets-face-unlock-right-iphone-11-and-ios-13/| access-date=October 31, 2020}}

In February 19, 2025, following the announcement of the iPhone 16e and the discontinuation of the iPhone SE (3rd generation), all the iPhone models have transitioned from the Touch ID to Face ID.{{Cite web |title=Apple debuts iPhone 16e: A powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/02/apple-debuts-iphone-16e-a-powerful-new-member-of-the-iphone-16-family/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US}}

File:Apple Face ID infrared dot projector.jpg

File:Face_ID_prompt.png running iOS 16.]]

Face ID's technology is based on PrimeSense's previous work with low-cost infrared depth perception that was the basis of the Kinect motion sensor for the Xbox console line from Microsoft; Apple had acquired PrimeSense in 2013 after Microsoft started to wane on the use of Kinect.{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2013-11-17-apple-primesense-2.html | title = Report: Apple buys PrimeSense, co-creators of the original Kinect | first = Sean | last = Buckley | date= November 17, 2013 | access-date = November 4, 2020 | work = Engadget }}{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/kinect-10-years-retrospective-150011349.html | title = Ten years on, Kinect's legacy goes beyond Xbox | first= Daniel | last = Cooper | date = November 4, 2020 | access-date = November 4, 2020 | work = Engadget }}

Face ID is based on a facial recognition sensor that consists of two parts: a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser dot projector module that projects more than 30,000 infrared dots onto the user's face, and an infrared camera module that reads the pattern.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-iphone-x-production-woe-sparked-by-juliet-and-her-romeo-1506510189|title=Apple iPhone X Production Woe Sparked by Juliet and Her Romeo|last=Kubota|first=Yoko|date=September 27, 2017|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103032/https://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-iphone-x-production-woe-sparked-by-juliet-and-her-romeo-1506510189|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The pattern is projected from the laser using an Active Diffractive Optical Element which divides the beam into 30,000 dots.{{Cite web |title=Apple iPhone X - IR Dot Projector |url=https://s3.i-micronews.com/uploads/2017/12/Sample-Apple-iPhone-X-–-Infrared-Dot-Projector-.pdf |quote="To provide the 30,000 dots, the VCSEL supplies the IR light and the Folded Optic directs the IR light to the Active Diffractive Optical Element (DOE). Finally, the Active DOE divides the light beam into 30,000 dots of light. "}}

The TrueDepth Camera uses infrared light to create a 3D map of users unique facial identity. This map is compared with the registered face using a secure subsystem, and the user is authenticated if the two faces match sufficiently. The system can recognize faces with glasses, clothing, makeup, and facial hair, and it adapts to changes in appearance over time. Concerns regarding the safety of longterm infrared facial screening has been debated and studied.{{Cite journal |last=Protection |first=International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation |date=July 2013 |title=ICNIRP Guidelines on Limits of Exposure to Incoherent Visible and Infrared Radiation |url=https://journals.lww.com/health-physics/abstract/2013/07000/icnirp_guidelines_on_limits_of_exposure_to.9.aspx |journal=Health Physics |language=en-US |volume=105 |issue=1 |pages=74 |doi=10.1097/HP.0b013e318289a611|url-access=subscription }}

The pattern is encrypted and sent to a local "Secure Enclave" in the device's CPU to confirm a match with the registered face.{{cite web |first=Russell |last=Brandom |title=The five biggest questions about Apple's new facial recognition system |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16298156/apple-iphone-x-face-id-security-privacy-police-unlock |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115005812/https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16298156/apple-iphone-x-face-id-security-privacy-police-unlock |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |first=Alfred |last=Ng |title=Is Face ID secure? Apple takes on lingering questions |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-takes-on-some-unanswered-questions-about-face-id/ |website=CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002101520/https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-takes-on-some-unanswered-questions-about-face-id/ |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} The stored facial data is a mathematical representation of key details of the face, and it is inaccessible to Apple or other parties. To avoid involuntary authentication, the system requires the user to open their eyes and look at the device to attempt a match, although this can be disabled through an accessibility setting. Face ID is temporarily disabled and the user's passcode is required after 5 unsuccessful scans, 48 hours of inactivity, restarting the device, or if both of the device's side buttons are held briefly.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/15/interview-apples-craig-federighi-answers-some-burning-questions-about-face-id/|title=Interview: Apple's Craig Federighi answers some burning questions about Face ID|last=Panzarino|first=Matthew|date=September 15, 2017|website=TechCrunch|publisher=Oath Inc.|access-date=December 13, 2017}}

Apple claimed the probability of someone else unlocking a phone with Face ID is 1 in 1,000,000 as opposed to Touch ID at 1 in 50,000.{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Warren |title=Apple's Face ID struggles detailed in new iPhone X report |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/25/16542614/apple-iphone-x-face-id-manufacturing-issues-report |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=October 25, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017}} During initial setup, the user's face is scanned twice from a number of angles to create a complete reference map. As the system is used, it learns about typical variations in a user's appearance, and will adjust its registered face data to match aging, facial hair growth, and other changes using the Neural Engine. The system will recognize a face wearing hats, scarves, glasses, most sunglasses,{{cite web |first=Juli |last=Clover |title=Apple's New Face ID Biometric System Works in the Dark and When Your Face is Obscured by Hats and Beard |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/13/how-iphone-x-face-id-works/ |website=MacRumors |date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017}} facial hair or makeup.{{cite web |first=Juli |last=Clover |title=Apple's Face ID Feature Works With Most Sunglasses, Can Be Quickly Disabled to Thwart Thieves |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/14/face-id-works-with-sunglasses-thwarts-thieves/ |website=MacRumors |date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017}} When significant facial changes occur, FaceID may not recognize the person when comparing the image to stored data. In such cases, the user will be prompted to verify using their passcode and the facial recognition data will update to the changes. It also works in the dark by invisibly illuminating the whole face with a dedicated infrared flash module.{{cite web |first=Yoni |last=Heisler |title=Infrared video shows off the iPhone X's new Face ID feature in action |url=http://bgr.com/2017/11/03/iphone-x-face-id-video-infrared/ |website=BGR |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=December 19, 2017}}

Authentication with Face ID is used to enable a number of iOS features, including unlocking the phone automatically on wake, making payments with Apple Pay, and viewing saved passwords. Apps by Apple or third-party developers can protect sensitive data with a system framework; the device will verify the user's identity and return success or failure without sharing face data with the app. Additionally, Face ID can be used without authentication to track over 50 aspects of a user's facial expression and positioning, which can be used to create live effects such as Animoji or camera filters. In recent years, third-party developers have developed more use cases for FaceID such as e.g. Eyeware Beam, an iOS app that provides a reliable and precise, multi-purpose head and eye-tracking tool. It is used to enable control of the camera angle through head-motion-in games and eye-tracking to share attention with audience in streams, but also augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and biometric research.{{Cite web|title=Eye-tracking app Eyeware Beam free to download in iPhone beta|url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/06/29/eye-tracking-app-eyeware-beam-free-to-download-in-iphone-beta|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Apple Insider|date=29 June 2021 |language=en}}

• iPhone X (2017) and newer, except the 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SE
• iPad Pro (3rd generation, 2018) and newer

==Safety==

Face ID uses an infrared flood illuminator and laser infrared dot projector. Prolonged exposure to infrared light has been known to cause harm to skin and the eyes. Apple has stated that the output is low enough that it will cause no harm to the eyes or skin, and meets 'international safety standards'. FaceID infrared output has been compared to what is put out from TV remotes. They do not, however, recommend the sensor be repaired by third parties, citing security concerns. There is also an in-built feature to deactivate Face ID should unauthorized components be found.{{cite web |title=About Face ID advanced technology |url=https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208108 |date=November 7, 2018 |access-date=March 7, 2019 |website=Apple Support }}

Inconsistent results have been shown when testing Face ID on identical twins, with some tests showing the system managing to separate the two,{{cite web |first=Emmanuel |last=Ocbazghi |title=We put the iPhone X's Face ID to the ultimate test with identical twins — and the results surprised us |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/can-iphone-x-tell-difference-between-twins-face-id-recognition-apple-2017-10 |website=Business Insider |publisher=Axel Springer SE |date=October 31, 2017 |access-date=December 4, 2017}} while other tests have failed.{{cite web |first=Lance |last=Ulanoff |title=The iPhone X can't tell the difference between identical twins |url=http://mashable.com/2017/10/31/putting-iphone-x-face-id-to-twin-test/ |website=Mashable |date=October 31, 2017 |access-date=December 4, 2017}} The system has additionally been fooled by close relatives.{{cite web |first=Dani |last=Deahl |title=This 10-year-old was able to unlock his mom's iPhone using Face ID |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/14/16650394/10-year-old-unlock-mom-iphone-face-id |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=November 14, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017}} Apple states that the probability of a false match is different for twins and siblings, as well as children under 13 years of age, as "their distinct facial features may not have fully developed".{{cite web |first=Zac |last=Hall |title=Apple explains how iPhone X facial recognition with Face ID works (and fails) in security paper |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/09/27/face-id-iphone-x-white-paper/ |website=9to5Mac |date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017}}

Face ID has raised concerns regarding the possibility of law enforcement accessing an individual's phone by pointing the device at the user's face.{{cite web |first=Madison Malone |last=Kircher |title=Yes, You Can Unlock the New iPhone With Your Face. Here's How It Works. |url=http://nymag.com/selectall/2017/09/face-id-unlocks-iphone-x-without-home-button-is-it-safe.html |website=Select All |publisher=New York |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013203938/http://nymag.com/selectall/2017/09/face-id-unlocks-iphone-x-without-home-button-is-it-safe.html |archive-date=October 13, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} United States Senator Al Franken asked Apple to provide more information on the security and privacy of Face ID a day after the announcement,{{cite web |first=Tony |last=Romm |title=Apple is facing questions from the U.S. Senate on the privacy protections in iPhone X and Face ID |url=https://www.recode.net/2017/9/13/16304932/apple-iphone-x-face-id-facial-recognition-privacy-security-franken-senate-congress |website=Recode |publisher=Vox Media |date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114541/https://www.recode.net/2017/9/13/16304932/apple-iphone-x-face-id-facial-recognition-privacy-security-franken-senate-congress |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} with Apple responding by highlighting the recent publication of a security white paper and knowledge base detailing answers.{{cite web |first=Natasha |last=Lomas |title=Apple responds to Senator Franken's Face ID privacy concerns |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/17/apple-responds-to-senator-frankens-face-id-privacy-concerns/ |website=TechCrunch |publisher=Oath Inc. |date=October 17, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023814/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/17/apple-responds-to-senator-frankens-face-id-privacy-concerns/ |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |first=Saqib |last=Shah |title=Apple responds to Sen. Al Franken's Face ID concerns in letter |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/apple-letter-senator-al-franken-face-id/ |website=Engadget |publisher=Oath Inc. |date=October 18, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110005110/https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/18/apple-letter-senator-al-franken-face-id/ |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}

In August 2018, the FBI obtained a warrant to search the property (which includes electronic devices) of a man, Grant Michalski, accused of transmitting child pornography; they unlocked the suspect's iPhone by holding it up to his face, without needing his passcode.{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=Feds Force Suspect To Unlock An Apple iPhone X With Their Face |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2018/09/30/feds-force-suspect-to-unlock-apple-iphone-x-with-their-face/ |access-date=2019-05-05 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

The Verge noted that courts in the United States have granted different Fifth Amendment rights to keycode and biometric unlocking systems. Keycodes are considered "testimonial" evidence based on the contents of users' thoughts, whereas fingerprints are considered physical evidence, with some suspects having been ordered to unlock their phones via fingerprint.{{cite web |first=Adi |last=Robertson |title=Why Face ID won't give you the legal protection of a passcode |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16298192/apple-iphone-face-id-legal-security-fifth-amendment |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=December 4, 2017}} Debates are ongoing regarding the use of FaceID technology in law enforcement and criminal cases as laws and regulations have not yet been put in place. Currently, law enforcements' need for evidence is to be balanced with individual privacy rights in regards to biometric data.

Verification experts claim that if biometric technology does not account for skin texture or blood flow, sophisticated masks may be successful in bypassing FaceID technology. However, many people have attempted to fool Face ID with sophisticated masks, though most have failed.{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |title=We tried really hard to beat Face ID - and failed (so far) |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tried-to-beat-face-id-and-failed-so-far/ |website=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=December 4, 2017}} In November 2017, Vietnamese security firm Bkav announced in a blog post that it had created a $150 mask that successfully unlocked Face ID, but WIRED noted that Bkav's technique was more of a "proof-of-concept" rather than active exploitation risk, with the technique requiring a detailed measurement or digital scan of the iPhone owner's face, putting the real risk of danger only to targets of espionage and world leaders.{{cite web |first=Andy |last=Greenberg |title=Hackers say they've broken Face ID a week after iPhone X release |url=https://www.wired.com/story/hackers-say-broke-face-id-security/ |website=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |date=November 12, 2017 |access-date=December 4, 2017}}{{cite web |first=Thuy |last=Ong |title=This $150 mask beat Face ID on the iPhone X |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/13/16642690/bkav-iphone-x-faceid-mask |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=December 4, 2017}}

If the user explicitly grants a third-party app permission to use the camera, the app can also access basic facial expression and positioning data from Face ID for features such as precise selfie filters such as those seen in Snapchat, or game characters mirroring real-world user facial expressions. The data accessible to third parties is not sufficient to unlock a device or even identify a user, and Apple prohibits developers from selling the data to others, creating profiles on users, or using the data for advertising. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Democracy and Technology raised privacy questions about Apple's enforcement of the privacy restrictions connected to third-party access, with Apple maintaining that its App Store review processes were effective safeguards. Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the ACLU, has stated that the overall idea of letting developers access sensitive facial information was still not satisfactorily handled, with Stanley telling Reuters that "the privacy issues around of the use of very sophisticated facial recognition technology for unlocking the phone have been overblown. The real privacy issues have to do with the access by third-party developers".{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-iphone-privacy-analysis/app-developer-access-to-iphone-x-face-data-spooks-some-privacy-experts-idUSKBN1D20DZ|title=App developer access to iPhone X face data spooks some privacy experts|last=Nellis|first=Stephen|date=November 2, 2017|website=Reuters|publisher=Thomson Reuters|access-date=December 4, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/2/16599592/apple-iphone-x-face-id-data-share-app-developers-privacy|title=Apple will share face mapping data from the iPhone X with third-party app developers|last=Statt|first=Nick|date=November 2, 2017|website=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=December 4, 2017}}

Mobile hackers have been able to combine data from FaceID and SMS one-time verification codes to access information from other accounts of Apple devices. Bank accounts of users in Asia and the Pacific Islands have been breached in isolated attacks by mobile hackers using FaceID data. Hackers were able to use facial images, stored in FaceID data, to make deepfake images that open information secured on Apple users devices with FaceID security. Combining FaceID data and one-time SMS verification codes gave hackers access to various FaceID protected accounts. While these cyber attacks have been isolated in Asia and the Pacific Islands, it raises concerns about the security of FaceID technology.

On the dark web, users have been selling their personal FaceID images and identity for acute financial gain. Hackers are using identities bought off the dark web for "sophisticated impersonation fraud".{{Cite web |last=Winder |first=Davey |title=Dark Web Facial ID Farm Warning—Hackers Build Identity Fraud Database |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2024/12/27/dark-web-face-id-farm-warning-as-hackers-build-identity-fraud-database/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Forbes |language=en}} This type of "hacking" or fraud is extremely difficult to detect because the FaceID documents submitted are real, as they are coming directly from the user, meaning they match biometric FaceID data almost perfectly.

[https://www.iproov.com/ iProov], a biometric data verification service, has suggested various ways to prevent FaceID biometric data from being successfully used to hack user data. "Embedded imagery and meta data analysis" can be used detect if FaceID images are a real person or a media image. Technology can be used to quickly detect and respond to threats on verification systems using FaceID through ongoing monitoring and proactively searching for threats. With adequate training, engineers can learn how to reverse potential hacking situations to better understand how to prevent them. Without understanding how hackers are using FaceID biometric data to bypass verifications, ways to prevent cyber attacks can better be initiated to protect users.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks were employed as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Face ID at the time was incompatible with face masks, with Apple stating "Face ID is designed to work with your eyes, nose and mouth visible."{{cite web | last=Bloom | first=Jonathan | title=Face ID With a Mask? Here's How to Unlock Your iPhone in the Age of COVID-19 | website=NBC Bay Area | date=May 21, 2020 | url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/coronavirus/face-id-with-a-mask-heres-how-to-unlock-your-iphone-in-the-age-of-covid-19/2294624/ | access-date=October 20, 2020}} With the release of iOS 13.5, Apple added a feature that automatically brought up the passcode screen if it detected that the user was wearing a mask.{{cite web | last=Coggan | first=Georgia | title=Apple finally reveals Face ID 'fix' so you can keep your face mask on | website=Creative Bloq | date=May 4, 2020 | url=https://www.creativebloq.com/news/face-id-face-mask-fix | access-date=October 20, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Get to Know Face ID on iPhone |url=https://shop.rewa.tech/blog/detail/get-to-know-face-id-on-iphone.html |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=shop.rewa.tech}} Apple was criticized for not addressing these issues with the release of the iPhone 12, but was praised for the lack of inclusion of Face ID in favor of Touch ID integration into the power button on the fourth-generation iPad Air.{{cite web | last=Tibken | first=Shara | title=iPhone 12 and the Touch ID button: Why Apple probably won't give it to us this year | website=CNET | date=October 13, 2020 | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-12-and-the-touch-id-button-why-apple-probably-wont-give-it-to-us-this-year/ | access-date=October 21, 2020}} In April 2021, Apple released iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 with an option to allow Apple Watch to act as a backup if Face ID fails due to face masks. In March 2022, Apple released iOS 15.4 which adds mask-compatible Face ID for iPhone 12 and later devices.{{cite web | title=Use Face ID while wearing a mask with iPhone 12 and later | website=Apple Support | date=2022-03-14 | url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213062 | access-date=2022-03-26}}

• Touch ID
• Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
• Structured-light 3D scanner

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.apple.com/iphone-x/#face-id Official website]

{{Apple}}

Category:Computer-related introductions in 2017

Category:Facial recognition software

Category:IOS

Category:Authentication methods