Rejoice! iPhone Face ID to work in landscape mode too with iOS 16 update

iPhone Face ID is getting some serious upgrade with the iOS 16 update. iOS 16 is a big update over iOS 15 for iPhones, bringing in a lot of new features to play with. The lock screen gets a major overhaul that allows some major customisation options, while there are new additions to Family Sharing as well as nifty smart features. However, iOS 16 quietly brought in another features that could help millions of iPhone users once the update is out — it is related to the Face ID system on the iPhone.

On the iOS 16 Preview webpage, look though the vast array of features and you will see an addition to the Security section. This is where you will find the update — “As Face ID works in landscape on supported iPhone models.”. Hence, Face ID will be able to unlock your iPhone, or make biometric verification even when you hold the iPhone in the landscape orientation. This is very similar to the system found the iPad Pro models.

ALSO READ: Apple WWDC 2022: iOS 16 released! Check new features, upgrades and supported devices

Face ID gets an upgrade on iPhones

Sadly, Apple does not clarify which iPhone models are getting this feature. Hence, all we know is that a certain number of iPhone models with the TrueDepth camera system will get this feature. It seems the feature will require the advanced Face ID system, and that seems to be present only on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series devices. It was only these two devices that got the Face ID with Mask unlock feature a few months ago, owing to their updated sensors.

Apple is yet to announce the names of the iPhone devices that will support this feature, hence you should keep an eye out for this.

With WWDC now past us, the next big Apple event will be the launch event for the iPhone 14. The iPhone 14 series will have some radical changes this year, with the vanilla models only having the normal display notch whereas the Pro models getting rid of it. The Face ID system will remain on these iPhone 14 Pro models and will continue to work as expected — it is only that the sensor will be accommodated inside a pill-shaped display cutout. The front camera will sit inside the circular cutout.