From the course: Biometric Authentication for iOS in Swift

Overview of biometrics

From the course: Biometric Authentication for iOS in Swift

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Overview of biometrics

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- [Instructor] Biometric authentication allows for apps to tap into iOS features and device hardware to verify the owner of the device. Technically, it doesn't have to be the owner, but it does have to be someone that is setup on the device for their fingerprint, or Face ID, or at least knows the passcode, that's typically referred to as the owner. Different devices support Touch ID versus Face ID and all support passcodes, but the user doesn't have to really set any of these up. But using the right framework, LocalAuthentication, allows the app to request biometric authentication. The great thing for the developer in this case is that you don't need to specify which form of biometric authentication to use. Your app just tells the OS to request authentication. The OS then determines which, if any, the user's device supports, and handles the rest. If for some reason the user can't use one of these means at the time, like they're wearing a costume or something that obstructs their face or fingerprint, it can allow them to prove they are the owner of the device through the normal passcode. Or if they're trying to access an account specific to your app, you can let them enter their ID and password directly. So they don't have to use it, they have options, and you're the one to kick it all off, so let's get to kickin'.

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