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Comment by kkielhofner | Hacker News Reader

On iPhone at least you can require passcode by holding down the side button and either of the volume buttons for three seconds. Just ignore the power down/SoS screen that comes up (or tap cancel) - by the time you see it Face/Touch ID is already temporarily disabled. The iPhone will also give you a "rumble" confirmation so you can do it when the device is in a pocket, bag, etc.

Obviously doesn't help if they pull an elaborate Russ Albrecht-style move but useful for situations where you can see them coming (which is likely most of them).

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Reaching into your pocket or bag right when you see the police coming after you may not be a great idea either.

> On iPhone at least you can require passcode by holding down the side button and either of the volume buttons for three seconds. Just ignore the power down/SoS screen that comes up (or tap cancel) - by the time you see it Face/Touch ID is already temporarily disabled.

You can also press and release the power button five times consecutively for the same power down/SOS screen, and then the biometric lock gets disabled (requiring the device passcode).

> On iPhone at least you can require passcode by holding down the side button and either of the volume buttons for three seconds.

Caution, this may call 911 depending on your settings.

Settings > Emergency SOS > Call with Hold and Release.

You can also disable Face ID by pressing the power button 5 times - which can also be a 911 shortcut, check the settings in the same place.

Calling 911 requires a longer hold, typically: if you let go when the haptic feedback happens, you won’t call 911

But you may want to call an ambulance to be on the safe side.

> Caution, this may call 911 depending on your settings.

If the police already have you, calling 911 on accident probably isn’t a concern.

This basically happened to me when I was cuffed in the back of a squad car on the way to jail. I told the dispatcher I was being kidnapped. The cops in the front gave me the side-eye.

Let me see if I can get the recording via FOIA...

You will not have time to reach into your pocket when getting arrested. Just turn the biometrics off.

I would likely have the phone in my hand already.

On Android, hold the power button* until the power down menu comes up, then press "lockdown".

* This may vary by phone, but I'm not sure.

It still very much annoys me that this requires interacting with the touch screen to accomplish.

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