iPhone 13 Disappointed by the lack of TouchID on the iPhone 13

[The-Real-Deal82]

The fact Apple are still making devices with TouchID is proof enough it’s still current technology, both at Apple and the wider industry. A lot of Apple users are still using passcode believe it or not despite having TouchID and FaceID equipped phones. It’s always nice to have options.

 

[bushman4]

Touch ID coming after the pandemic is over (hopefully)
All joking aside I’m surprised at Apple not giving us Touch ID in the the middle of a Pandemic. Last time I checked Apple has 7 patents for underscreen Touch ID
And if they wanted they could have put it in the power button
Sorry no excuse for the let down

 

[bousozoku]

Why are you surprised?

They've been working on making FaceID work with masks. That's their focus. If that is their focus then why would they include TouchID and thus NOT surprise you?

People who work for Apple in the San Fran Bay Area are having to deal with the problems just as much as anyone else only using Face ID. Quite a while has passed and people are continually frustrated with the problem.

However, they probably haven't had enough time to do more.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

The fact Apple are still making devices with TouchID is proof enough it’s still current technology, both at Apple and the wider industry. A lot of Apple users are still using passcode believe it or not despite having TouchID and FaceID equipped phones. It’s always nice to have options.

That's why having both would be the ultimate convenience and experience.

TouchID + FaceID = A match made in heaven

 

[Slartibart]

I'm still on an iPhone 8…how well does FaceID work in a low light situation?

it works in complete darkness

 

[JonMPLS]

Offering both is the logical approach. But if it's just one, face ID has been WAY better for me. It's almost instant, never fails, and works if I have gloves on (screen enabled gloves) in the winter.

 

[Slartibart]

totally agree, face ID isnt a step forward at all.

I don’t agree. everything removing a physical button/action is a step forward. … written that, why isn’t there any form of unlock using a spoken phrase? 😎

 

[Guacamole]

half the time I have to enter my password with Fade ID.. that plus swiping up first . I much prefer Touch ID

 

[oldmacs]

I miss Touch ID.

Face ID is great for general unlocking, except for while wearing a mask.

Face ID is terrible for Apple Pay. Touch ID was much better and simpler.

If Apple were to add Touch ID back to the iPhone in addition to Face ID, no-one stands to loose anything so I don't understand why so many people are against it.

I'm quite disappointed in Apple for not at least just putting it in the power button like on the iPad Air & iPad Mini. Would have been such a simple fix.

 

[oldmacs]

Thinking about it, I think one reason why Apple hasn't included TouchID on their iPhones is because they don't want to admit defeat. They don't want to go back to "dated" technology despite how useful it can be when they've spent so much time and money on a "better" authentication system when in reality it has an Achilles heel.

I definitely think this is a factor. Apple is stubborn. Look how long they persisted with the nightmare that was the butterfly keyboard, before admitting defeat.

Not that this is the same scenario, but it just shows that they're very unwilling to be seen to 'go back' on anything, even if the result would be better.

 

[svenmany]

I prefer touch ID, but definitely want both. Other than the mask situation, a few reasons come to mind.

I have multiple accounts with a bank app. I can't use Face ID for the main one because it's not easy to avoid having my face seen. With Touch ID I can choose not to touch and select a different account. There really are times that I don't want the phone to unlock or some other action to be approved; it's very hard to avoid it with Face ID.

When I plug in my phone to my car, it often won't connect till the phone briefly unlocks. I used to just reach in with my finger. Now I have to pull the phone out of its slot and lift it to my face; that's definitely a "pull over to the side of the road" kind of event.

Until the latest OS update (watch or iPhone?), Face ID wouldn't recognize me with my sunglasses on. Now, my watch jumps in to help.

Thinking back to my last phone (6s), the times when Touch ID was inconvenient were far fewer than the times now when Face ID is inconvenient. But, I do acknowledge that when both are convenient in a given situation, Face ID is the easier of the two.

 

[svenmany]

I definitely think this is a factor. Apple is stubborn. Look how long they persisted with the nightmare that was the butterfly keyboard, before admitting defeat.

Not that this is the same scenario, but it just shows that they're very unwilling to be seen to 'go back' on anything, even if the result would be better.

In this case they wouldn't be going back on anything. The situation has changed drastically due to COVID. No one reasonable would point a finger at them if they shifted direction due to such an extreme change. Adding Touch ID in no way invalidates the extreme benefit of Face ID.

 

[oldmacs]

In this case they wouldn't be going back on anything. The situation has changed drastically due to COVID. No one reasonable would point a finger at them if they shifted direction due to such an extreme change. Adding Touch ID in no way invalidates the extreme benefit of Face ID.

I don't' think anyone would point a finger, I just think internally they would see it as going backwards!

I prefer touch ID, but definitely want both. Other than the mask situation, a few reasons come to mind.

I have multiple accounts with a bank app. I can't use Face ID for the main one because it's not easy to avoid having my face seen. With Touch ID I can choose not to touch and select a different account. There really are times that I don't want the phone to unlock or some other action to be approved; it's very hard to avoid it with Face ID.

When I plug in my phone to my car, it often won't connect till the phone briefly unlocks. I used to just reach in with my finger. Now I have to pull the phone out of its slot and lift it to my face; that's definitely a "pull over to the side of the road" kind of event.

Until the latest OS update (watch or iPhone?), Face ID wouldn't recognize me with my sunglasses on. Now, my watch jumps in to help.

Thinking back to my last phone (6s), the times when Touch ID was inconvenient were far fewer than the times now when Face ID is inconvenient. But, I do acknowledge that when both are convenient in a given situation, Face ID is the easier of the two.

I definitely can only see positives to having both Face ID and Touch ID. If I had to choose one, I'd be very torn but would err to the side of Touch ID I think.

 

[remington79]

I don’t need to and I don’t wear masks so it’s not an issue and I still prefer Touch ID. I like not having to hold the phone up to unlock or use Apple Pay. I’m also uncomfortable with the ir or whatever it is shining in my eyes.

 

[svenmany]

I definitely can only see positives to having both Face ID and Touch ID.

If Apple were to add Touch ID back to the iPhone in addition to Face ID, no-one stands to loose anything so I don't understand why so many people are against it.

Your two posts got me thinking. Are there any valid reasons to be against having both on a phone, even if you don't care much about one? I guess an objector could argue that developing a generally unneeded feature would raise the price (dollars or resources) or distract Apple from working on more important things.

 

[oldmacs]

Your two posts got me thinking. Are there any valid reasons to be against having both on a phone, even if you don't care much about one? I guess an objector could argue that developing a generally unneeded feature would raise the price (dollars or resources) or distract Apple from working on more important things.

My argument back to them would be that the resources to develop the Touch ID in a button have all ready been spent. The cost to apple would be minuscule per device.

 

[CTHarrryH]

I have TouchID on my iPad air and I don't like it - First I use my iPad mostly in horizontal mode and thus the power button is inconvenient Second - you have to very careful about what pressure you use because if you press too hard it shuts screen down vs. unlocking. I love the faceID - sure there are times when I have to enter the code but... Also since I live up north - taking off gloves in winter to touch is worse than taking off mask

 

[oldmacs]

I have TouchID on my iPad air and I don't like it - First I use my iPad mostly in horizontal mode and thus the power button is inconvenient Second - you have to very careful about what pressure you use because if you press too hard it shuts screen down vs. unlocking. I love the faceID - sure there are times when I have to enter the code but... Also since I live up north - taking off gloves in winter to touch is worse than taking off mask

This would be the beauty of Apple including both. You get to chose which one you use!

 

[Populus]

iPhone 13 May Feature Upgraded Face ID That Works With Masks and Foggy Glasses

Apple is currently testing new Face ID hardware that could allow users to unlock their iPhone while wearing a mask or foggy glasses, according to...

www.macrumors.com

I’m hoping this is something that can be pushed in a future software update to iPhone 13 users but only Apple knows. If Face ID is the future, Apple should be trying harder to make it work better with masks. It’s safe to say that we’ll never be back to pre-pandemic amounts of mask usage.

I really hope they are actually working on this. And we get it throughout a software update before next year.

 

[compwiz1202]

Agreed. What was the reason for removing the floppy drive? A better medium, with more space and speed was introduced.

Did I lose all my fingers when Apple released Face ID? No. Does Face ID improve things? No, not when I have a mask on. Face ID is essentially useless 90% of the time since I have my mask on a lot. Therefore, it is not any better than Touch ID. I still have my fingers, its still an approved biometric authentication method by many industries. Therefore, it has ZERO relation to comparisons to floppy drives.

Exactly. There are few things better about Touch ID, but there are some.

 

[compwiz1202]

I don't deny that Apple has reversed course on some issues. But I would argue that those instances are less than those in which they ignored the customer.

If you have spent any time on the Apple forums you know that Apple buries criticism and problems and that they are aggressive at it. The best I can say is that Apple is SLOW at responding to customer pressure. They do respond as you've shown.

But citing your example of the MacPro trashcan, how many years was it before Apple introduced a new MP?

Two more things I'd argue. If Apple does respond it's more than likely in response to a company. Who was/is the primary user of MacPros? Business, particularly those in the design/professional industry. Apple responded because losing the business of the business customer was more of a threat.

The second thing I'd argue is that when Apple DOES respond it's the way they WANT. Yes, they will offer the solution to the problem but it may not be exactly the way it is expected.

So, ultimately you're right. Apple does respond. But when and how and to what kind of customer pressure is debatable.

Yes just complaining is ZERO Pressure. Only thing they would care about is if you boycotted everything Apple and made it beyond clear why.

 

[bembol]

I love the TouchID/FPS on my iPad Air 4 LTE and on my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3’s power button.

I wish EVERY phone has it. Been asking for a long time, why can’t we have both?

It would’ve been so sweet if Apple did it, crossing my fingers for next year. lol

 

[Bandaman]

Touch ID coming after the pandemic is over (hopefully)
All joking aside I’m surprised at Apple not giving us Touch ID in the the middle of a Pandemic. Last time I checked Apple has 7 patents for underscreen Touch ID
And if they wanted they could have put it in the power button
Sorry no excuse for the let down

Pandemic? Over? I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[Vratikranka]

Touch ID is not a necessary feature 🤣.

So what you mean is that during a pandemic where everyone needs to have their face covered in public, authentication system where you face is your password is the right thing and having alternate authentication is not a NECESSARY feature? I can go on and on...

 

[Waterman316]

So what you mean is that during a pandemic where everyone needs to have their face covered in public, authentication system where you face is your password is the right thing and having alternate authentication is not a NECESSARY feature? I can go on and on...

Oh I forgot. If Face ID doesn’t work there’s no other way to get into the phone! That’s right! Not even a passcode will work!

So what you mean to tell me is, that you are too lazy to enter a 4-6 digit passcode once in a while?

I can go on and on as well….