Epic Games updates Live Link Face for real-time iPhone mocap
Epic Games has released version 1.4.2 of its Live Link Face app, introducing a small but significant fix that enhances the real-time facial capture experience for iPhone users. The update resolves a regional issue that previously prevented some users from manually entering IP addresses — a necessary step when connecting the app to Unreal Engine across different network environments.
First launched in 2020, Live Link Face streams facial motion data from an iPhone’s TrueDepth camera directly into Unreal Engine. When used alongside MetaHuman Animator, creators can map intricate facial movements onto digital characters in real time — no studio mocap setup required.
“Every subtle expression, look, and emotion is accurately captured and faithfully replicated on your digital human,” Epic Games stated in its announcement.
The technology has become increasingly valuable across a variety of creative industries. From indie game developers and animation studios to VTubers and livestreamers, many are using the tool to enhance digital characters with expressive, real-time performances. Veteran character designer Aaron Sims — known for films like Men in Black and Gremlins 2 — praised the advancement, saying, “We can take the realism all the way down to the pore. As someone who used to make puppets and prosthetics, now I can do anything I want.”
Capturing such nuance, however, often requires more from performers than one might expect. To create the data used by MetaHuman Animator, actors are frequently asked to deliver an extensive catalogue of facial expressions — from micro-movements to full emotional transitions. The process is physically demanding, with scanning sessions resembling a workout in both stamina and muscular control. In some cases, performers cycle through dozens of exaggerated expressions in one sitting, all while maintaining consistency for high-fidelity digital replication.
The app also furthers Epic’s broader mission to democratise high-end animation workflows. By lowering the barrier to entry, the company enables smaller teams and solo creators to achieve professional-grade facial animation using widely available tools like the iPhone.
Beyond performance capture, Epic has also explored biometric applications. In 2023, the company partnered with identity verification firms Yoti and SuperAwesome to propose a facial recognition system for age estimation. Submitted to the US Federal Trade Commission, the FTC application aimed to improve online safety for children through privacy-conscious age verification methods. Although the proposal was ultimately denied, PC Gamer noted that the idea may not be permanently shelved.
As of April 2025, Live Link Face remains free to download on the App Store and continues to receive incremental updates. While version 1.4.2 is relatively minor in scope, it delivers important usability improvements for creators working in non-standard or restricted network setups.
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