Facial recognition technology made headlines after Apple introduced Face ID on their most recent iPhones, sparking debate over its security. Facial unlocking may provide convenience, but is it really secure enough? And does Android have face ID?
Samsung and Huawei have developed ways to make your Android phone more secure through face unlock. We will look at how these systems operate and how you can implement them onto your device.
What is face id?
Apple’s Face ID facial recognition system provides an effective means for unlocking iPhones, authenticating Apple Pay transactions and verifying identity within apps. 20 times less susceptible to hacking than Touch ID, Face ID uses sophisticated machine learning algorithms and neural networks inspired by brain biology to recognize your individual facial features and unlocks devices seamlessly.
Attention-aware and capable of sensing changes in facial features (for instance if you smile, blink, or wear glasses), the device recognizes you based on how it learns about its surroundings and adapts so it still recognizes you over time. Should it fail to recognize you it prompts you to try again or enter your passcode; and should your appearance change (such as having more or less hair or beard), it learns and adapts so it still recognizes you.
Face ID may be considered Apple’s flagship biometric unlock system on smartphones, but Android phones have had their own biometric solution known as Trusted Face since 2014. While not perfect – hackers could create 3D models of their victims or recruit relatives as lookalikes — Trusted Face offers better protection than PINs or passwords.
How does face id work?
Face ID was first introduced with the iPhone X in November 2017, using sophisticated facial scanning technology to authenticate you as an individual. Apple claims that Face ID cannot be fooled by photographs or 3D models of your face; its authentication processes remain secure even in their absence.
Apple’s facial recognition system differs significantly from Samsung’s in that it uses a special sensor to capture multiple points of light to build a three dimensional map of your face, which enables it to recognize even if your hair changes color or you grow facial hair.
When unlocking a device, the sensor also features a camera to take a photo of your face when unlocking. This image is then compared with one stored of you; if they match, your phone unlocks automatically; otherwise you must enter a passcode – one of the best security features found in smartphones that is likely to become more widespread over time.
Does face id work on samsung?
Face ID is a biometric security feature that works by scanning your face to create a unique identifier map and then comparing this map against one stored on your device; if it matches, your phone unlocks. Face ID also safeguards against masking with contact lenses or masking through masks by employing anti-spoofing neural networks that detect when both your eyes are open and your attention is focused on the device.
Samsung first unveiled face recognition technology with their Galaxy S8 flagship phone in 2017. The feature uses two-dimensional images of your face to verify identity; though less secure than Apple’s 3-dimensional facial recognition system, this does offer another layer of security.
Huawei took aim at Apple’s glitch with Face ID on iPhone X in a Facebook video that mocked their “no-glitch demo.” Huawei boasts that their face unlocking technology is more advanced than Samsung and cannot be fooled through photos or images.
Does face id work on huawei?
Face ID was one of the most anticipated features to debut on Apple’s iPhone X, and other phone makers may try to replicate its technology in future models. But to truly compete, they must improve on Apple’s technology – something Huawei has achieved with their version of Face ID.
Face recognition on the Mate 20 Pro works similarly to iPhone X, scanning your face using its front camera to verify you as its intended owner. Designed to be anti-spoofing and “attention-aware,” it will only unlock if both eyes are open and looking directly at it when trying to unlock.
As with other Android phones, Face ID can be fooled by factors such as facial hair, sunglasses, hats and piercings – it is therefore essential that Face ID be used under optimal lighting conditions for best results. Also note that it only works if the screen is on; so if you want to unlock your phone while asleep or with it off then enter a passcode or pattern instead.
