Apple Considered Having Both Face ID and Touch ID on iPhones

Apple pondered having both Face ID and Touch ID on the same iPhone, a European patent reported by AppleInsider revealed. Having multiple forms of biometric authentication is not considered particularly efficient for either the user or the device. Ultimately, Apple decided against having both touch and facial recognition on the same iPhone model. Face ID was introduced in 2017 with the iPhone X, and Touch ID was not available on the device.
Text buried in the filing mentions the use of an “alternative form of authentication than that associated with the biometric feature.” In effect, this means if one biometric authentication check fails, such as Face ID, an alternative like Touch ID could still be used to log in, instead of using the passcode. The passage suggests that Apple at least thought about including both Face ID and Touch ID mechanisms on the iPhone or iPad before deciding against the prospect.