As the world adapts to the new normal, face masks have become an essential part of our daily lives. With that, many iPhone users find it cumbersome to use Face ID while wearing masks. However, we have your back! In this article, we’ll walk you through multiple ways to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask using Face ID.

1. Update iOS and Enable ‘Unlock with Apple Watch.’

With iOS 14.5 and later versions, Apple introduced a new feature that allows users to unlock their iPhones using Face ID and an Apple Watch while wearing a mask. Here’s how you can set it up:

a. Update your iPhone to iOS 14.5 or later and your Apple Watch to watchOS 7.4 or later.

b. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

c. Scroll down to ‘Unlock with Apple Watch’ and turn on the feature for your paired Apple Watch.

That’s it! Now, when you try to use Face ID while wearing a mask, your iPhone will recognize the partial face scan, check for proximity with the paired Apple Watch, and unlock your device.

2. Train Face ID with an alternative appearance.

Another approach is training Face ID with an alternative appearance that includes half of your face covered by the mask. Follow these steps:

a. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.

b. Tap on ‘Set Up an Alternative Appearance.’

c. Fold your mask into half, covering either side of your face (remember which side).

d. Proceed with the Face ID setup while wearing half of the mask.

e. After finishing the setup, try unlocking your phone with the mask covering the corresponding side.

Keep in mind that this method could reduce the security of your Face ID recognition system as it’s based on a partial facial scan.

3. Create a custom shortcut to unlock the iPhone.

You can set up a custom voice command on your iPhone using the Shortcuts app. Here’s how:

a. Open the Shortcuts app and tap the ‘+’ button to create a new shortcut.

b. Tap ‘Add Action’ and search for ‘Voice Control.’

c. Select ‘Run Custom Voice Command’ and enter “Unlock my iPhone” as the command.

d. Save the shortcut with a name, e.g., “Unlock iPhone with Voice.”

e. Enable Voice Control by going to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control.

Now, you can use the custom voice command to prompt Face ID while wearing a mask, making it easier to unlock your iPhone.

While the methods mentioned above are not foolproof, they can save you time and offer convenience when trying to use Face ID while wearing a mask. Always remember that following proper security protocols is essential in safeguarding your personal information.