The COVID-19 craze is disrupting all aspects of everyday life: work, travel, and of course, selfies. Fortunately, according to a new patent granted to Apple, future iPhones may be able to take great group selfies even while keeping a social distance from friends.

According to The Verge (via Patently Apple), Apple has been granted a patent for technology that can create composite group selfies by matching images from multiple devices. According to Apple's patented image, users can be invited to participate in a group selfie. When they send you a photo, your friend is automatically inserted into your picture, making it appear as if they are right next to you.

You can edit the composite group selfie and reshoot until they look right, and the image summary is the ability to immediately share the fake group photo to social media.

Apple originally applied for this technology in late 2018, well before the Coronavirus pandemic put the entire world in various states of lockdown. But just as services like WhatsApp and Google Duo have extended video calling capabilities, iOS's group selfie feature may help people feel just a little more connected during this unprecedented time.

The patent does not specify which Apple devices can enable composite group selfies, but it seems like a perfect 2020 feature for new devices like the iPhone 12 as well as the existing iPhone SE and iPhone 11 series Seems like a perfect feature for new devices like iPhone 12 as well as the existing iPhone SE and iPhone 11 series. The technology could also debut at WWDC on June 22, when Apple plans to unveil the biggest feature in iOS 14 this fall.

iOS 14 is expected to bring a host of new features to the iPhone, including a new list view on the home screen, a new multitasking view, new fitness apps and augmented reality apps. However, a socially distanced selfie would be a very timely addition. All we need now is Face ID to better recognize us wearing masks.