The first beta version of iOS 12 available to developers appears to support the option of adding multiple faces to the Face ID feature.
Two faces, better than one?
With this new feature in iOS 12, a second person could unlock an iPhone X without having to enter the unlock code. has already been discovered, and later confirmed, by numerous users in Reddit.
Since the iPhone X was launched in September last year, Apple’s Face ID identity verification and unlocking system have been limited to recognizing the face of a single person to unlock the terminal. And while iOS is apparently designed as a single-user operating system, this restriction has frustrated some users who want to allow their partner or other person access to the device.
This is possible with the previous Touch ID system, which has been in place for almost a decade because Touch ID allows up to five fingerprints to unlock the iPhone so that it is possible to set up fingerprints of different people and give them access to the terminal.
With Face ID’s new “Alternative Appearance” feature that comes with iOS 12, iPhone X owners can add a second full face to Face ID. This means two people can unlock an iPhone X, making it easier for users to share their devices. However, this does not seem to be the purpose of this function.
In the iOS configuration for iOS → Face ID and password, the alternative appearance is described as follows: “In addition to continue learning about your appearance, Face ID can recognize an alternative appearance.
Thus, it is likely that Alternative Appearance is designed for people who have difficulty with Face ID due to more significant changes in appearance such as changing accessories such as hats, glasses, etc. However, thanks to this, it is able to support a second person as well.