Can Face ID work on iMac with a taped camera?

Ignoring that iMac lacks Face ID, I might think the TrueDepth camera system would continue work if I do not obscure the dot protector, the infrared camera, the flood illuminator, or the proximity sensor, but do obscure (just) the main “selfie” camera.

Some experimentation with a yellow stickie note cut thinly should prove (or disprove) this.

Having just tried this sticky-note test locally on an iPhone with a sensor layout much more conducive to this test (not the iPhone model shown below!), it appears the main camera is not used for Face ID.

cafox513 wrote:

Will Face ID still function (on iMac) when camera is taped shut?

Any device that uses a camera for Face ID is blind if the camera is covered.

(Could you identify someone's face with your eyes closed?)

No, Face ID will not function if the camera is taped shut.

cafox513 wrote:

Will Face ID still function (on iMac) when camera is taped shut?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Face ID on iMac

? Not on a Mac computer.

Use TouchID if you have a contemporary M-series (Silicon) iMac with compatible TouchID keyboard...

ref: Use Touch ID on Mac

ref: Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple ...

No model of iMac has FaceID, as such your question does not make sense.

On devices like iPads and iPhones that do have FaceID, the camera sensor must be uncovered for it to work. Period.

Apple cannot explain things about a feature in relation to a device that does not have said feature.

As no Mac utilizes Face ID, whether camera is taped or not is irrelevant.

Macs do not have FaceID.

Why would Apple need to explain the obvious? "Face ID" surely implies the device needs to "SEE" your face to identify you. How would it "SEE" your face other than with a camera? And if the camera has been taped over how would the device "SEE" your face. This is common sense that should not need explaining.

Instead of blaming Apple for not explicitly explaining what is common sense maybe you should be looking in the mirror for the real reason. Or you could have taped over your camera and then tried to unlock your device with FaceID and found the answer immediately.

p.s. Apple does indeed carefully explain things to their users... it's called a Users Guide. Have you taken the time to read one? If you were expecting a personal phone call from Apple or and email, think again.

cafox513 wrote:

Maybe I conflated the iMac with my MacBook or iPhone? Thanks very much for the clarification.

FaceID will not work on ANY device with the camera taped over, period, end of story.

cafox513 wrote:

Many thanks to all who answered. We could have saved you time and energy had Apple explained things like Face ID, for their customers.

From this article:

Face ID provides intuitive and secure authentication enabled by the state-of-the-art TrueDepth camera system with advanced technologies to accurately map the geometry of your face.

About Face ID advanced technology - Apple Support

See also:

Use Face ID on your iPhone or iPad Pro - Apple Support

If Face ID isn't working on your iPhone or iPad Pro - Apple Support

Are you listening, Tim Apple?

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user oforum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

cafox513 wrote:

I reiterate. There were TWO questions in my initial message.

If people aren't answering all your questions and you still need an answer, it's incumbent upon you to restate the question. No one here has any obligation to play guessing games.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

cafox513 wrote:

I reiterate. There were TWO questions in my initial message.

If people aren't answering all your questions and you still need an answer, it's incumbent upon you to restate the question. No one here has any obligation to play guessing games.

Guessing, in general, is only appropriate when guessing someone's age.

When it comes to technical questions, guessing is neither productive nor beneficial and tends to go around in a never ending circle

Owl-53 wrote:

Guessing, in general, is only appropriate when guessing someone's age.

That's one I avoid! People who ask you to guess their age generally want an answer years younger. They are never amused if you guess their actual age.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Owl-53 wrote:

Guessing, in general, is only appropriate when guessing someone's age.

That's one I avoid! People who ask you to guess their age generally want an answer years younger. They are never amused if you guess their actual age.

👍

MrHoffman wrote:

Having just tried this sticky-note test locally on an iPhone with a sensor layout much more conducive to this test (not the iPhone model shown below!), it appears the main camera is not used for Face ID.

Very interesting. How likely is it that, if someone tried to just cover over the camera, they would manage not to obscure the sensors? Is it particularly fiddly?

IdrisSeabright wrote:

MrHoffman wrote:

Having just tried this sticky-note test locally on an iPhone with a sensor layout much more conducive to this test (not the iPhone model shown below!), it appears the main camera is not used for Face ID.

Very interesting. How likely is it that, if someone tried to just cover over the camera, they would manage not to obscure the sensors? Is it particularly fiddly?

As expediency was a central consideration, as the particular iPhone sensor layout was conducive, and — for the purposes of the test — obscuring the Dynamic Island wasn’t a consideration, no, it was not at all fiddly.

Getting something better than a sticky note would be somewhat more fiddly. Maybe moleskin? Various possibilities.

And in my previous reply, it’s for projector, not dot protector. ❤️ autocorrupt.