How Secure is the iPhone X’s Face ID?

 

After the release of the iPhone X and its new Face ID feature, everyone is wondering just how secure this new face scanning technology is.

The internet is now flooded with iPhone X reviews so we are getting a clearer picture of how Face ID works.

When Apple unveiled the iPhone X they claimed that the probability of someone else being able to unlock your iPhone X using Face ID was 1 in 1,000,000, compared to 1 in 50,000 with Touch ID, however they did say that this isn’t the case when it comes to identical twins or those aged 13 or younger, stating:

The probability that a random person in the population could look at your iPhone X and unlock it using Face ID is approximately 1 in 1,000,000 (versus 1 in 50,000 for Touch ID). The probability of a false match is different for twins and siblings that look like you as well as among children under the age of 13, because their distinct facial features may not have fully developed.

People around the internet have now taken the testing into their own hands to see just how secure the Face ID really is by testing it against photos, masks, twins, triplets and everyday uses such as putting on sunglasses and hats or using it in the dark.

Of course, these tests are very limited but they do give a brief inside look into how Face ID works and how secure it is:

1) Photos and Videos

People have tried to trick the iPhone X into unlocking using photos, cut outs and videos but none of them were able to unlock the device.

2) Masks

Some people have gone to the lengths of creating some rather realistic looking masks to trick the iPhone X’s Face ID. However, this still wasn’t good enough to unlock the iPhone X.

3) Twins, Triplets and Siblings

Identical twins and triplets appear to easily be able to unlock each other’s iPhone X’s, however siblings who looked very similar or even fraternal twins weren’t able too.

4) General Use

To access your iPhone X all you have to do is glance at your phone. A lock symbol at the top of your device unlocks, and then you have to swipe up to unlock the screen. Most of the time, this appears to happen in less than a second.

Testing has shown that the device will recognise the user if they put on glasses or sunglasses’ and when they wore a hat. But, if something covers your face (like with a fake moustache) then it won’t unlock. However, if you grew a moustache or beard over time than Face ID would recognise you.

Face ID also works in the dark.

 

So from the initial hands on tests, it looks like the iPhone X’s Face ID is actually pretty secure, reliable and easy to use.