Can we test Face ID in simulator?

Question

Can we test biometric authentication using the simulator?

The iPhone X Simulator shows a menu for Face ID enrollment, but after enabling that, what can I do?

How it will recognize a face for authentication?

Answer 1

The simulator just simulates the outcome of a correct and a failed face recognition, just like it does with Touch ID. It does not recognize faces.

Answer 2

Simulator does not recognise a face but allows you to simulate a matching and non-matching faces, if you've enabled Enrolled option from Face ID.

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Add following code to your view controller and try with Face-ID

import LocalAuthentication  class ViewController: UIViewController {       override func viewDidLoad() {         super.viewDidLoad()         localAuthentication()     }        func localAuthentication() -> Void {          let laContext = LAContext()         var error: NSError?         let biometricsPolicy = LAPolicy.deviceOwnerAuthenticationWithBiometrics          if (laContext.canEvaluatePolicy(biometricsPolicy, error: &error)) {              if let laError = error {                 print("laError - \(laError)")                 return             }              var localizedReason = "Unlock device"             if #available(iOS 11.0, *) {                 if (laContext.biometryType == LABiometryType.faceID) {                     localizedReason = "Unlock using Face ID"                     print("FaceId support")                 } else if (laContext.biometryType == LABiometryType.touchID) {                     localizedReason = "Unlock using Touch ID"                     print("TouchId support")                 } else {                     print("No Biometric support")                 }             } else {                 // Fallback on earlier versions             }               laContext.evaluatePolicy(biometricsPolicy, localizedReason: localizedReason, reply: { (isSuccess, error) in                  DispatchQueue.main.async(execute: {                      if let laError = error {                         print("laError - \(laError)")                     } else {                         if isSuccess {                             print("sucess")                         } else {                             print("failure")                         }                     }                  })             })         }       } } 

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FaceID authentication will prompt you for first time to allow FaceID detection for your app.

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Now enable Face ID enrolment and run your app to test Face ID simulation Testing.

Here is simulation result for matching and non-matching faces.

Result for matching face:

Result for non-matching face:

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