TNG eWallet disables face verification feature for iPhone users

The TNG eWallet has returned to the Apple App Store, and it still retains both the TNG NFC top-up feature as well as the GoPinjam personal loan offering. After releasing its 1.7.73 update for iOS, it appears that Touch ‘n Go has removed one feature that makes payments more convenient.

Previously, users of iPhone models can use facial recognition to verify payments on the TNG eWallet app. In case you didn’t know, this was a setting that you can enable in the app and your face will replace the manual 6-digit pin.

After updating to version 1.7.73, we noticed that the app now requires us to key in the 6-digit pin to authenticate payments. When we dig into the settings, the “Use Face Verification” option is no longer available as shown below.

Touch ‘n Go has updated their FAQ that mentions Face verification is being upgraded for iOS users and it will be temporarily disabled. Users will have to use their PIN as an alternative authentication. Interestingly, the FAQ was last updated 13 days ago, which is about 10 days before the app was removed from the App Store.

It still isn’t clear why the eWallet was removed from the App Store as Touch ‘n Go has yet to provide an official explanation. If you’ve used TNG eWallet’s face verification feature, you would notice that it is different from Apple’s own Face ID technology.

According to Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines, “2.5.13 Apps using facial recognition for account authentication must use LocalAuthentication (and not ARKit or other facial recognition technology) where possible, and must use an alternate authentication method for users under 13 years old.” Perhaps, Touch ‘n Go will be updating its face verification feature to use Apple’s Local Authentication framework.

Related reading

• TNG eWallet is back on the Apple App Store
• Uninstalled TNG eWallet? Here’s how to get it back on your iPhone
• Was TNG eWallet removed from the App Store because of TNG NFC card reload feature?
• Touch ‘n Go eWallet has been removed from the Apple App Store