I have discovered a serious flaw in iPadOS 17.0.3. I don't know if this flaw existed before since I have just noticed it now.
On my iPad Air 4th Gen I can unlock my iPad while wearing surgical gloves. There is no way the unlock button could read fingerprints through latex gloves so it should not work.
I recorded a video of it being done but it seems this forum only allows posting photos.
The Apple Support Community will allow you to post a link to a video that is hosted elsewhere - such as YouTube.
If you believe that you have found a repeatable bug or other unexpected behaviour, you would be well advised to report it - as unless you and/or others do so, Apple will not necessarily be aware of the issue. When submitting your report, ensure that you include your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body or your report. Don't rely upon the pick-list, as this is rarely up to date with current models or OS releases.
You can also reach out to Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044
The Apple Support Community will allow you to post a link to a video that is hosted elsewhere - such as YouTube.
If you believe that you have found a repeatable bug or other unexpected behaviour, you would be well advised to report it - as unless you and/or others do so, Apple will not necessarily be aware of the issue. When submitting your report, ensure that you include your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body or your report. Don't rely upon the pick-list, as this is rarely up to date with current models or OS releases.
You can also reach out to Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044
Touch ID is known to be able to successfully scan through nitrile gloves, and also—on semi-recent iPhone models with Touch ID—through latex gloves.
… I wear blue nitrile gloves and many many … - Apple Community
Stick a non-registered finger on the Touch ID sensor, and see if that gets granted access. Or borrow a finger. Or de-register a finger, and try. An un-registered finger should not be granted access, except in very rare cases.
And for completeness: About Touch ID advanced security technology - Apple Support
That is unlikely to be a flaw and more likely that the sensor is indeed still working correctly through the thin gloves. Try having someone else unlock the device with or without the gloves; it won’t work.
I just got off the phone with Apple. The advisor said that yes, the sensor is more than likely reading the fingerprint though the glove but is still going to report it to Engineering. I still think that makes the sensor too sensitive. It must utilize a low-level electrical field to be able to read the fingerprint through the glove since I had my wife, whose does not have her fingerprint registered on the iPad air to try opening it with the glove and could not.
Thanks, but Apple has already given me the answer that it is not a flaw but by design. I was just surprised that the touch ID sensor was that sensitive.
I can see where that ability might come in handy in a medical professional environment though.
Michael_JL56 wrote:
I just got off the phone with Apple. The advisor said that yes, the sensor is more than likely reading the fingerprint though the glove but is still going to report it to Engineering. I still think that makes the sensor too sensitive.
So to summarize your complaint, Touch ID works… too reliably?
If you want to thwart Touch ID, de-register the finger, use a different (unregistered) finger, or (unregistered) toe, etc.
There’s a write-up entitled “Comprehensive list of parts of your body that TouchID will and will not work with.“ that tested ~twenty different body parts. I’m not going to link to that research here, given some of the body parts. It’s also from ~seven years ago, and I’d expect Touch ID will have improved since then.
you can also use their feedback channel to give them your opinion
Wow, how very insightful. Not very helpful. If I wanted to turn it off I would. No need to link any research. Not interested. I received my answer from Apple.
Flaw in iPadOS Allows iPad to be unlocked with surgical gloves.
