As expected, Apple released iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 today. The iOS 15.4 update will allow a person wearing a mask to unlock his iPhone with Face ID even if he is not wearing an unlocked Apple Watch. A previous update allowed mask-wearing iPhone users to unlock their handsets using Face ID as long as they were wearing an unlocked Apple Watch.
With iOS 15.4, you can unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask or verify your identity for Apple Pay
Apple releases iOS 15.4 allowing you to use FaceTime while wearing a mask
The update also adds a new voice for Siri and the virtual assistant will now answer questions about the time and date even while offline.The update allows iPhone users with a business to accept Apple Pay, Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover using nothing more than an iPhone that becomes a point of sale (POS) machine. Named “Tap to Pay on iPhone,” all that is required is the installation of a special app by the merchant for it to work.
The update also includes a safety message that will appear during the setup of Apple’s AirTag item tracker. The message points out that it is a crime to use an Apple AirTag to track people and that law enforcement can request user information. The update also adds a new feature called “Precision Finding” which points out nearby unknown AirTags to iPhone users.
How do I install iOS 15.4 and enable “Face ID with a mask?”
What else can we expect from iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4? How about Universal Controls, a feature that allows users to drag and drop files between a Mac and an iPad. The update also allows iPhone users to scan text directly into a file on the Notes app. And with SharePlay integration, songs and other content can quickly be shared over FaceTime.
Once you’ve completed updating the phone and enabling Face ID with a mask, you should be able to unlock your iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 model even if a mask is covering your face. It also will work to verify payments made using Apple Pay. This could be the last big iOS and iPadOS software update until iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are released later this year.
