3D Touch Is on Its Way out (But Will Survive in iOS 13)

For a while there, it looked like iOS 13 officially killed 3D Touch. But according to Apple, the feature’s absence in the update was actually unintentional.

Early adopters who have downloaded the first beta build of iOS 13 started noticing that 3D Touch wasn’t working in the operating system update. Combined with reports that this year’s iPhones could do away with 3D Touch, it looked like iOS 13 would kill the feature.

But Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi has apparently confirmed that won’t be the case.

Twitter user @donbytyqi emailed the executive about it, asking if 3D Touch was gone in iOS 13 or if its absence was simply a bug. Federighi said it was the latter and 3D Touch would be back in the next beta.

So 3D Touch in its current state is here to stay in iOS 13. On the other hand, the mobile operating system update does hint that the feature could be on its way out soon enough.

That’s because Apple has expanded the capabilities of its Haptic Touch feature in iOS 13. Haptic Touch, which debuted on the iPhone XR, is simply a marketing term for a long press with a bit of haptic feedback. In iOS 13, Quick Actions and Peek are both accessible via Haptic Touch.

There have also been several reports that Apple is going to include Haptic Touch in lieu of 3D Touch on its 2019 iPhone lineup. That includes the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max successors, not just the next version of the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone.

3D Touch, first launched on the iPhone 6s lineup back in 2015, still offers several features that Haptic Touch doesn’t. While Peek will be supported by Haptic Touch going forward, 3D Touch-equipped iPhones can take advantage of the Pop functionality and other features accessed via a firm press.

Put simply, this means a couple of things for iPhone users.

• If you have an iPhone with 3D Touch, you’ll still be able to use the feature’s capabilities in iOS 13.
• If you have an iPhone without 3D Touch, you’ll be able to use Quick Actions and Peek in iOS 13.
• If you plan on buying a 2019 iPhone, you may have to get used to Haptic Touch in lieu of 3D Touch being an option on those devices.