I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max and an Apple Watch Series 10 with GPS. Someone I know briefly picked up my locked phone while we were sitting face to face and it unlocked even though she was wearing a mask and the phone was not pointed at my face. She opened it several times, including after I covered my face and closed my eyes. I have not enabled Face ID's alternate appearance or the mask option, and her facial features are very different from mine. How could this have happened, and what settings should I check to prevent it?
2 Answers
The repeated unlocks and the fact that you were wearing an Apple Watch strongly point to the watch feature rather than the other person’s face being added to Face ID. After disabling it, lock the phone and test again with the watch nearby. Also review your Face ID settings and change your iPhone passcode if you think anyone may have seen it.
This most likely wasn’t Face ID recognizing her. Your Apple Watch may have unlocked the iPhone. When the watch is unlocked, on your wrist, has wrist detection enabled, and is close to the phone, the iPhone can unlock when Face ID is obstructed, such as by a mask. Check Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn off “Unlock with Apple Watch.” You can also temporarily remove the watch or lock it with its passcode to test whether that was the cause.
The watch needs to be very close and already unlocked, but under those conditions it can happen consistently. The watch should also show an alert that lets you lock the iPhone again.