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Comment by judge2020 | Hacker News Reader

judge2020·

I don't see anything about the "Unlock your iPhone with your Watch" feature that 14.5 is going to have[0] - i'd be interested in reading the in-depth security considerations they had. It's also currently a mystery if this feature does a partial Face ID scan in addition to requiring an unlocked Watch.

0: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/01/iphone-apple-watch-unlo...

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To enable the Unlock with Apple Watch feature, open the Settings app on your iPhone, then look for the “Face ID & Passcode” setting. Once you flip this toggle, your Apple Watch will be able to authenticate your iPhone as long as the following conditions are met:

- Face ID detects a mask - Your Apple Watch is nearby - Your Apple Watch is on your wrist - Your Apple Watch is unlocked - Your Apple Watch has a passcode enabled

https://9to5mac.com/2021/02/04/iphone-face-id-unlock-apple-w...

I think the unknown is if it uses any face ID data as part of the unlock still, like a partial scan of the top of your face.

In my anecdotal experience, it does not. The logic goes:

- Assert that a face is present. - Is wearing mask? > If yes, proceed with Watch unlock (irrespective of top of face). > If no, attempt Face ID scan.

It does not do a partial FaceID scan - I had a friend unlock it for me, and she's a different gender, 15 years younger and Asian. If it does, it's completely ineffectual.

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