Serious Face ID Security Concern Across Multiple iPhone Models

musaina wrote:

I am writing to raise a serious concern regarding the security and reliability of Face ID on Apple devices. I have used the iPhone 14 Pro Max, 15 Pro Max, and I am currently using the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Unfortunately, I have experienced the same major issue across all these models.

Despite the fact that my sister and I are not identical in appearance—she is eight years older than me—my iPhone consistently unlocks using her face. This is extremely worrying, as Face ID is supposed to offer high-level security and protect personal data.

To compare, my sister uses a Samsung device, and her phone does not unlock with my face. This makes me question whether Apple is truly providing the level of privacy and security it promises.

I request that Apple investigate this issue urgently. Face ID is a core security feature, and it is concerning that such a significant flaw exists across multiple generations of iPhone models.

You can't request Apple do anything here. This is a user to user only forum. While it is rare, it is possible that a sibling whose face has similar facial features, Face ID can be used by a sibling.

Are you absolutely certain your sister hasn't added her face to your Face ID under alternate appearance in Face ID settings? If she has access to your phone and knows your passcode, she could have without your knowledge added her face. And if you hand your phone over to someone who is not related to you, I'd be willing to bet, they can't get in your phone. There is, after all, no security which is infallible. If you're concerned about your sister accessing your phone, you don't have to use Face ID. You can just use a Passcode and make sure no one in your household knows what it is.

You might want to read this from Apple --> About Face ID advanced technology - Apple Support

Apple has had this article up for many years now, including limitations and solutions: About Face ID advanced technology - Apple Support

No one here works for Apple and we are just fellow users. This issue has been around since day one of Face ID. No biometric identification using facial or fingerprint is 100% bulletproof. Not even Samsung or any Android device either. The fact that Face ID recognizes your sister’s face but her Samsung doesn’t recognize your face is a fluke, not endemic of the technology. Both companies use almost identical technologies.

When Touch ID came out there were thousands of claims of how easy it was to bypass it, including cutting a finger off, using a lifted fingerprint and a printer, etc. None of the claims had any merit.

When Face ID came out the same claims were made with examples of identical twins, siblings, etc. Those claims were also proved to be extremely isolated and not a security risk at all.

So if you think there is a technology that is 100% foolproof, think again. But Touch ID and Face ID are vastly superior to passwords and 2FA authentication and Android devices are not any better.