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Opening apps without touching the phone

So I finally upgraded my 6S to a XR and I have a question. Is there no way to ask Siri to open an app on a locked iPhone without touching/swiping the device?


Quite often I want to open an app, such as Maps or NPR, while my hands are wet, dirty, or otherwise occupied. This requires either TouchID or entering a passcode on older models, but I'd assumed FaceID would remove that requirement.


Note that I'm not suggesting FaceID should immediately take me to the home screen without swiping. The specific use case I'm describing is opening an app on a locked phone by using FaceID without having to touch the phone.


iPhone XR, 12

Posted on Feb 7, 2019 6:51 AM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

Yes. It works just fine so long as you're looking at the phone so that it can recognize your face. Just told Siri to open the NPR app. Worked fine. Same with navigation, etc.

Posted on Feb 7, 2019 7:05 AM

5 replies

Opening apps without touching the phone

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