iOS 15 Includes Improved Face ID Anti-Spoofing Models and Other Vulnerability Fixes - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 15 Includes Improved Face ID Anti-Spoofing Models and Other Vulnerability Fixes

by

The iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 updates that were released today add improved anti-spoofing models for Face ID, further improving the security of facial recognition on the iPhone X and later and the iPad Pro models.

iPhone 13 Face ID
According to Apple's security support document for the updates, there was a ‌Face ID‌ vulnerability that could allow a ‌Face ID‌ iPhone to be unlocked and authenticated using a 3D model constructed to look like the iPhone's owner.

Apple says that this issue has been resolved through improvements to the ‌Face ID‌ feature, which is available on the iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS (all models), iPhone 11 (all models), iPhone 12 (all models), ‌iPad Pro‌ (11-inch), and ‌iPad Pro‌ (3rd generation).

There are a number of other security fixes included in the iOS 15 update, but none of the exploits were listed as being used in the wild. There was an issue with the Neural Engine that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with system privileges on devices with a Neural Engine, and a CoreML bug could let attackers cause unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution.

Apple also addressed issues with FontParser, Preferences, Siri, WebKit, and WiFi, all of which are outlined in Apple's full security document.

For those not particularly interested in the feature set that iOS 15 offers, it may still be a good idea to upgrade just to get the full suite of security fixes that Apple has deployed.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Read Full Article • 25 comments
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
Read Full Article • 47 comments
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...
Read Full Article • 88 comments

Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
Apple_Robert
59 months ago
Glad to see more security like this in iOS 15.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
alexiaa
59 months ago

Still, it doesn‘t change the fact that people can still open your phone by just pointing it to your face!
Not true. That's exactly what "Require Attention for Face ID" is for, and it's on by default. You need to have your eyes open and actively looking at the screen. If you're looking away, it won't unlock. It's not totally impossible but makes it harder for people to pull that off. But if you're so concerned about that, you can temporarily disable Face ID by holding the power and volume down buttons for a few seconds.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
8
8707908
59 months ago

you rather have your finger cut off?
I’ve Been hearing about this scenario for almost a decade now.

1. It’s a capacitive sensor. So even if someone cut off your finger and placed it on the phone it still wont unlock…needs electricity from your body
2. Unless the KGB or Jack Bauer is trying to get some info on your phone, this is an utterly absurd scenario. Stealing someone’s phone and cutting someone‘s finger off are on the complete opposite of the spectrum in terms of crime.

People who steal phones are looking to sell it to make money. They aren’t looking to go to prison on a mayhem assault charges for your ~$1,000 smartphone

Seriously, stop watching TV and trying to cast all criminals on the same level. People don’t just cut fingers off because they want to see your emails.

Try critical thinking
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
subi257 Avatar
subi257
59 months ago

"For those not particularly interested in the feature set that iOS 15 offers, it may still be a good idea to upgrade just to get the full suite of security fixes that Apple has deployed."

So the whole 'we will continue to release security updates for iOS 14 users' was a lie.
They always continue to realize security updates...for years afterwards.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
alexiaa
59 months ago

So the whole 'we will continue to release security updates for iOS 14 users' was a lie.
No, it wasn't. They can still backport security fixes to iOS 14 but maybe they'll only get the ones that are deemed more critical.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
centauratlas Avatar
centauratlas
59 months ago
If anyone is that worried about Face ID or Touch ID access to their phone, the easy answer is to turn them off.

Just use a passcode - and don't make it 1234

Really though, Apple is doing a good job protecting with both Face and Touch ID. It is merely a question of your security needs/security profile required vs ease of access.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments