Access to a device can be secured in many ways. The best known is of course the password protection. But access to a device can also be shielded with facial recognition.
What is facial recognition?
A camera on the device scans a face and compares it with stored image information. If both match, the device is unlocked. The simplest form of facial recognition is less secure. The device detects no difference between a real face and a portrait photo. Thus, the device can be unlocked by holding a photo of the user in front of the camera. Advanced Face Recognition uses 3D information about a face that cannot be derived from a photo.
iPad and iPhone
Facial recognition is called ‘Face ID’ at Apple. On the Apple’s website you can read which devices can handle it.
Set up Face ID in the following way:
- Tap on Institutions.
- Tap on Face ID and Passcode.
- Enter your access code if necessary.
- Tap on Configure Face ID.
- Hold the iPhone/iPad upright in front of your face.
- Tap on To work.
- Keep your face within the frame. Make a rotating movement with your head. From bottom left, via top left and top right to bottom right, so that the round frame border turns green.
- Tap on Continue.
- Turn your head again.
- Tap on Ready.
Face ID is now set up. In the future, unlock the device in the following way:
- Wake the device from sleep (lift it up or tap the screen).
- Look at the screen.
- At the top is a white padlock. When the padlock opens, activate the device: then swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
android devices
Not all Android devices can handle facial recognition. You can find out whether your device supports it in the settings. The steps described below apply to devices with Android 9 or higher. In previous versions, the steps may be different.
- Tap on Institutions.
- Depending on your Android version, tap Biometrics and Security, Security and location, or Security.
- Tap on Face recognition. (If this option does not exist, the device is not suitable for it.)
- Tap on Get on.
- Glasses wearer? Then tap Yes, otherwise on new.
- Tap on Get on.
- Hold the device directly in front of your face.
- If you are wearing glasses, take them off when a notification appears and tap Get on.
- Tap on OK.
In the future, unlock the device in the following way:
- Wake the device from sleep mode.
- Look at the screen.
- At the top is a white padlock. When the padlock opens, activate the device: then swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
Windows
Windows can also handle facial recognition. It’s part of Windows Hello and it’s present on Microsoft’s own Surface devices. But also on various laptops. If the option is missing on your device, it cannot handle facial recognition.
Set it up like this:
- click on Start.
- click on Institutions.
- click on Accounts.
- click on Login options.
- Under ‘Choose how you want to sign in to your device’, click Windows Hello face.
- click on To work.
- A frame appears. Make sure your face falls within that frame and sit still until the message “Done!” appears.
- Glasses wearer? Then click on Improve Recognition and repeat the previous step without glasses.
You will recognize the device in the future. Logging in is no longer necessary. Turn on the device and make sure you are directly in front of the camera. Windows 10 will then boot.
mac
Currently, only the iPad and iPhone have facial recognition. Apple is working on facial recognition for MacBooks.