Is Apple Face ID Secure?

Apple launched Face ID when the iPhone X was released in November 2017.

We can most certainly expect Apple and other large technology firms to incorporate this feature into future releases.

Perhaps you’re new to the iPhone X or are simply curious as to how secure Face ID really is? This should hopefully help give you the answers you’re looking for.

How does Apple Face ID work?

Face ID works by using an infrared emitter and sensor to distinctively identify your face. Apple refers to this process as TrueDepth, to paint 30,000 points of infrared light on your face. Additionally it captures flat or 2D infrared snapshots. The reflection is measured from the points, allowing it to calculate the angle and dimension from the camera to put together a depth map.

What are the disadvantages of using Face ID?

Some argue that Face ID is not as secure as a passcode. When Face ID has been tested on identical twins varying results have been revealed, not all tests have been able to successfully distinguish the two.

There have also been reports from some people over the internet which mention that Face ID has supposedly been able to unlock their iPhone X with the face of another individual!

Furthermore, Face ID has raised uncertainties regarding the possibility of law enforcement accessing someone’s phone by simply facing the device at the user’s face to unlock it.

What are the advantages of using Face ID?

There are advantages to using Face ID. Not only is it a quick way of unlocking your phone without the need to enter a lengthy passcode, Face ID also allows you to authorise purchases from places like the App Store and make payments with Apple Pay.

How secure is Face ID?

One of the biggest concerns is that a government could impose changes that would obtain facial identification data with registered technology under the power of Apple.
In order to use Face ID, you do have to set up a passcode on your iPhone.
There are some instances when you are prompted to enter your passcode for additional security authentication, some examples include when the device has:

• 5 unsuccessful attempts to match a face
• Been restarted or switched on
• Not been unlocked with Face ID in the last 4 hours
• Not been unlocked for more than 2 days
• Not been unlocked via the passcode in the last 6.5 days
• Received a remote lock command

In our opinion Face ID and fingerprint technology is not suitable for anyone who is carrying sensitive data. If someone attempted to steal your phone they could simply place the phone in front of your face to unlock it. 

What are your thoughts on Apple’s Face ID? If you’re a user of the iPhone X let us know whether you like this feature. Comment below to let us know what you think!