Face recognition screen lock for Android. Android smartphones will have their own Face ID

In today's article we will talk about the Face ID option - what it is, how it works, and which smartphones it is supported on.

In simple terms, this is unlocking your phone using facial recognition technology. The option replaces Touch ID, a verification method via a fingerprint scanner. By the way, Face ID not only unlocks the device, but also makes contactless payments in the App Store, protects some applications and files from unauthorized viewing, and performs other security functions.

The option was first introduced by Apple in mid-September 2017.

To understand how Face ID technology works, imagine a smart interface that can generate a 3D model of a face in real time. This is exactly what happens.

• The scanner of the volumetric-spatial shape of the face analyzes the image and checks its compliance with the established original;
• If the sensor is convinced of an absolute match, the device opens;
• Otherwise, you will be required to enter a password.

The True Depth system includes an infrared camera, an infrared emitter and a dot projector, and all this equipment is located at the top of the front side of the iPhone.

How to enable Face ID on Android

If you are interested in how to enable Face ID on Android, we will first frustrate you and then make you happy!

• This is Apple's own development, so it is impossible to officially download Face ID on Android devices. There are plenty of tips and apps online that supposedly allow you to do this. We do not recommend resorting to such methods because they are dubious. In order for the technology to work on Android, you will have to change the official firmware, or, to put it simply, hack the native system. Moreover, entrust this matter to incomprehensible software. We are absolutely sure that no one can guarantee the security of your personal data in this case.
• Don't rush to get upset! The Android operating system has its own facial recognition technology, and it has been around much longer than Face ID, namely, starting with version Android 5.0 (and now, for a moment, the ninth is already working!). The technology is called Smart Lock, you can find it in Settings, in the Security section. But it’s not as accurate as Face ID, at least the developers themselves warn users that a pattern or touch ID is much more reliable.

What phones does Face ID work on?

As we mentioned above, the option was introduced less than two years ago, so the list of phones with Face ID won't be long. We emphasize that we mean the original Face ID technology, which is only available in Apple devices:

• iPhone X;
• iPhone XS;
• iPhone XS Max;
• iPhone XR;
• iPad Pro 2018;
• And in subsequent models.

Samsung, LG, and Huawei have analogues of facial verification - all the latest models always have this option. But, we repeat, it is still not even half as accurate and cool as those of Apple gadgets.

How to set up on iPhone

Let's take a quick look at how to set up Face ID on an iPhone - in fact, you don't need to set up anything there.

By the way, thanks to IR sensors, the system works perfectly both day and night, so you don’t have to worry about the lack of lighting. Judging by the reviews, malfunctions in the program are extremely rare, and most often they are all related to the activities of the owner of the device.

If Face ID doesn't work

If suddenly the Face ID technology does not recognize your face or writes that verification is currently unavailable, one of the following situations has occurred:

1. Mechanical damage, most often due to a fall, the impact of which fell on our sensors. In this case, only Apple service will help.
2. Software malfunction. Any program, even the most advanced one, sometimes “glitches”. We recommend performing a soft and hard reset on your iPhone;
3. "Curve" update installation. This also happens, what can you do. You need to “roll back” to the previous iOS firmware and reinstall the update.

What else do you need to know about technology?

Previously, the answer to the question “how many faces can you add to Face ID?” was categorically sad - only 1. It was terribly inconvenient, especially for mothers with children who watched cartoons from the device. Starting from the IOS12 operating system, you can add an alternative appearance to the option. We are not talking about a second person, this feature was introduced for people who like to experiment with their appearance, wear colored lenses, glasses, a beard, etc. However, why not add a second image?

Let's find out how to add a second person to Face ID, here are brief instructions:

• Go to Settings – "Face ID and Passcode";
• In the Appearances section, click "Alternative image";
• Scan the second applicant;
• Enter the code again;
• Ready!

In conclusion, we will consider whether it is possible to deceive the technology, and also talk about the reliability and safety of biometric data.

• As sad practice shows, it is possible to deceive and bypass Face ID, at least on Youtube there are a lot of videos demonstrating this. However, Apple regularly improves the security and protection of the technology, and with each new version of the operating system, it becomes more and more difficult for people to bypass the sensors. So, today technology can definitely be fooled by similar twins and children under 13 years old (facial features are not yet fully formed). As for the modification of the owner of the device himself, glasses, hats and beards did not always throw the system into a stupor. Sometimes she still asked for an additional password, but more often than not she generously granted access.
• If you are interested in how to hack Face ID, we will disappoint you - in this regard, the system is very reliable.
• For those who are interested in whether it is possible to disable Face ID, we will rejoice - the option can be deactivated. If you do not want to use the sensor to analyze your facial biometric data, use Touch ID or a pattern. To disable it, simply move the function slider (in the native section) to the Off position.

In conclusion, let's talk about the security of user personal data. There are many myths associated with facial recognition technology in the world today. There are dozens of forums online where people discuss conspiracy theories and the establishment of total control over the planet's population. They urge you to stop using facial verification, advise you to cover up web cameras on laptops, and recommend never sending voice messages. How relevant these tips are is not for us to decide, but fanaticism has never brought a single thing to good.

Apple can hardly be called an obscure company - it values ​​​​its reputation and has established itself as a trusted service provider. In addition, according to the developers, all biometric information is stored only on your iPhone, and there is not the image itself, but only a graphic image. This data will never fall into the wrong hands, so you can use the option without any risk.

You must decide who to believe. But, you must admit, today it is impossible to live without technology. The same iPhones will soon be released without a fingerprint scanner at all, that is, all people will still have to scan their face. If you have already decided to buy just such a device, would it be stupid not to use it to its fullest? Otherwise, why waste so much money? Buy yourself a push-button Nokia and then no one will ever find you!

As it became known this week, Google is working on advanced facial recognition algorithms that will compete with Apple's Face ID hardware. My colleague at AppleInsider.ru Alexander Bogdanov tried to explain why, in his opinion, all the search giant’s attempts to oppose Apple in the field of facial identification are not worth a damn. He is certainly right in some ways, but not in everything. But let’s figure it out exactly what it is.

I am absolutely confident that secure facial identification is possible even without the use of hardware sensors that form the basis of Face ID. It will be enough to have properly configured algorithms trained to find differences in the faces of different people using artificial intelligence technologies. And, I have no doubt about it, in the foreseeable future Apple itself will abandon the system of lasers and 3D cameras in favor of software only.

Portrait photography with one camera

Google has repeatedly proven that the software implementation of any function can be qualitatively superior even to that which has a hardware basis. The most striking example of this is the portrait mode for a single camera. Back when all manufacturers required a telescopic lens to measure the distance to an object, Pixel smartphones managed it using only a wide-angle lens and properly configured software.

Surprisingly, the quality of portrait photos taken with the Pixel 3 camera not only rivals, but even surpasses the results of the iPhone XS and XS Max. This was recognized even by the experts of the DxOMark laboratory, whose authority cannot be doubted. According to them, the algorithms used by Google work almost flawlessly, effectively blurring the background behind the subject where needed, and exactly as needed.

It turns out that if Google transfers the “depth detection” algorithm to the front camera with a number of small modifications, and smartphones will be able to clearly understand when they are trying to slip a photo, a mask, or a stranger who is trying to take possession of the smartphone.

Face ID for Android is here

We can already see the first beginnings of intelligent face scanning without the use of hardware sensors. Many smartphones, not equipped with even a hint of hardware facial recognition sensors, successfully try to deceive them with a photo, and do not remove the lock. And, I must say, as identification algorithms improve, there are more and more such smartphones.

Another example of the successful use of software algorithms is the “smart” night mode, which miraculously brightens photos taken in the dark so that they look like they were taken with a professional camera. This technology can be used for facial recognition in low-light conditions. I think it won’t be too difficult for Google to teach the algorithms to brighten the frame in real time and thus make identification without using laser illumination, which Cupertino is relying on.

It's a matter of implementation.

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One leading business analyst, Ming Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, reports that the unveiling of Apple's iPhone X last month has caused Android makers to shift their focus from trying to integrate an under-display fingerprint scanner to developing their own version of the TrueDepth camera with 3D scanning and facial recognition.

The understanding that Face ID will be more interesting to the user came to manufacturers after a year of attempts to develop an under-display fingerprint scanner. As you'll notice, the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8, with their edge-to-edge "infinity" display, don't have room for a home button that usually houses a fingerprint scanner. Apple had the same problem with the tenth anniversary iPhone X model.

Samsung has resorted to using a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner on all three smartphones. Apple's plan turned out to be more ambitious. The company has implemented a TrueDepth facial recognition system built into the new front camera, which has a 3D scanning function. Back in February, long before the presentation of the iPhone X, Kuo predicted revolutionary popularity for this camera. Now that Apple has introduced Face ID in the iPhone X, it appears that a large portion of users are looking forward to the prospect of unlocking premium Android smartphones using their face.

Back in August, Kuo reported that the first Samsung model to feature an under-display fingerprint scanner would be the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. He still believes the Galaxy Note 9 will be the first Samsung model to feature an under-glass fingerprint scanner. However, he points out that Android manufacturers, since the presentation of the iPhone X on September 12, have devoted most of their efforts to developing 3D scanning technology. The analyst says the use of 3D scanning and facial recognition could improve the margins manufacturers earn on Android smartphones. According to Kuo, the 3D sensor system from Qualcomm and Himax has a great chance of taking a leadership position, since it has been in development for a long time and has been battle-tested.

“3D recognition not only makes it possible to recognize faces in security applications and create animated emoji with the user's expression, but it is also a key factor in the development of augmented reality. Therefore, we believe that brand manufacturers are willing to spend more on the components necessary for this,” says Ming Chi Kuo.

The analyst expects that over the next two to three years, Android smartphones with facial recognition will be released two to three times more than devices with an under-screen fingerprint scanner.