Apple Tests Faster iPhone Unlocking for Masked Users in iOS Update
Apple introduces a new feature in iOS 13.5 that automatically prompts for a passcode when Face ID detects a face mask. The upcoming update also includes a joint contact tracing API designed by Apple and Google.
Apple addresses a major frustration for iPhone users by testing a new feature in the developer version of iOS 13.5 that recognizes when a person wears a face mask. Instead of struggling with failed facial recognition attempts, the device immediately jumps to the passcode-entry screen to speed up the unlocking process.
This automatic prompt saves significant time for users who unlock their phones dozens of times a day while wearing protective gear. More importantly, it keeps people safe by eliminating the need to remove their masks in public spaces, thereby reducing the risk of potential virus exposure.
In addition to this mask-detection tweak, the final version of iOS 13.5 definitely includes a new contact tracing API built in partnership with Google. This tool allows national health authorities to create applications that help users anonymously discover if they have been exposed to someone infected with the coronavirus, with the full software update expected to launch in the coming weeks.