New for iOS 12: How to Allow a Second Person to Use Face ID on Your iPhone X, XS, XS Max or XR

By Leanne Hays on Wed, 11/14/2018

Apple has offered biometric locking features since it introduced Touch ID with the iPhone 5s. With the iPhone X, biometric authentication took the leap to Face ID, and that feature is also included in Apple's newest iPhones, the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR. There's a convenient new feature with the latest operating system, iOS 12, that allows facial recognition for not just one, but two people. Now if you'd like to share your iPhone with a partner, friend, or child, you don't have to give them your passcode or open the phone yourself before handing it to them. Let's get started setting your iPhone X and later to recognize a second face. 

Related: 10 iPhone Security Mistakes You're Making and How to Fix Them

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To allow a second person to use Face ID on your iPhone X and later:
  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap Face ID & Passcode.
faceface id
  • Tap Set Up an Alternate Appearance.
  • Now your iPhone will walk the person you'd like to be able to use Face ID on your device through the steps of setting up Face ID.

iphone x face recognitioniphone face recognition

ios 12 guide - a step-by-step guide to all the new features

 

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Topics: 
How-To
iPhone
Privacy and Security
Tip of the Day
iPhone X
Settings
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Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays is a Feature Web Writer at iPhone Life.  She loves reading and blogging, and is never without a book in her backpack or an audiobook on her phone. Short-term goals include finishing painting her house and starting an aquaponics farm, long-term goals include a bike tour of Italy and writing a novel.