Apple tests the connection to its iCloud site via Touch ID or Face ID

In addition to the "Connect with Apple" login button that is expected to appear with iOS 13 and macOS 10.15, Apple is currently testing a new way to connect to its iCloud account, leveraging biometrics. 

The latest beta versions of iOS 13, iPadOS and macOS Catalina allow users to use Face ID or Touch ID to connect to their iCloud account - in place of the traditional login/password pair.

Spare double authentication

For the moment tested exclusively on the site iCloud.com, this new method of connection could easily facilitate access to his Apple account and thus save the step of double authentication made mandatory by the firm a few years ago. 

According to 9to5mac to whom we owe this discovery, each attempt to access iCloud from a device running on a beta of future versions of Apple's OS redirects the user to beta.icloud.com. This new site simply asks the user to use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate - exactly as it would validate a purchase on the App Store.

Still limited functionality

On Mac, the new feature is of course reserved for computers with a Touch Bar and therefore a built-in fingerprint reader.

The login screen to iCloud from a MacBook under macOS

For now, it is unclear if this connection method could extend to more websites. In any case, Apple seems determined to be at the same level as Google and Facebook with its new button "  Connect with Apple  ", which will arrive next fall. This will give the company time to comply with the expectations of the OpenID Foundation.