Following the launch of the Vision Pro, Apple shared more information about the headset’s Optical Authentication option. Optical ID recognizes the uniqueness of your iris, allowing you to quickly unlock Vision Pro, allow purchases with Apple Pay, sign in to many third-party apps, access sensitive personal data, and more. Apps that support Face ID and Touch ID on iPhone and iPad automatically support Optic ID. Once Optical ID is established, its use becomes mandatory.

“Just like Touch ID revolutionized fingerprint authentication and Face ID revolutionized facial authentication, Optic ID revolutionized iris authentication,” Apple says. “Optic ID provides intuitive and secure authentication that leverages the uniqueness of your iris, thanks to Apple’s high-performance Vision Pro eye-tracking system with LED and infrared camera.”

Optical ID scans both eyes by default. Considering that the size of the iris and pupils changes depending on lighting conditions, Apple says Optic ID adapts by updating the registered model after each successful authentication. Apple ensures that all biometric data is encrypted and never stored in iCloud or anywhere else.

There is an accessibility option to use Optical ID with one eye only, which can be turned on in the Settings app under Accessibility > Eye input. Optical ID can also be turned off completely; In this case, you authenticate with password only.

For users who need vision correction, Optic ID works with ZEISS Vision Pro optical inserts and soft prescription contact lenses. Apple says Optic ID uses “advanced hardware and software” to recognize the iris. According to Apple’s statement, Optic ID meets international safety standards and “will not cause harm to eyes or skin due to the low power of the emitters.”

Apple says that just like Face ID, the chances of a random person unlocking your Vision Pro with Optical ID are less than one in a million. The company explains that Optic ID maps “the detailed structure of the iris in the near-infrared region,” which “reveals unique patterns independent of iris pigmentation.”

Optical ID allows a maximum of five unsuccessful pairing attempts as required by the password. As an added layer of protection, you can set Vision Pro to delete all information, media, and personal settings after 10 consecutive failed password attempts.