Brand new to NameDrop or concerned about its security? Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s contact-sharing feature.
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Apple fans have been exploring the new features that iOS 17 brought to compatible iPhones in September, including the exciting additions of StandBy mode and the Journal app. One of these new-to-iPhone features is NameDrop, a contact-sharing function that allows you to easily share your number with just a tap of your phone.
The release of iOS 17, and NameDrop with it, follows the announcement of the iPhone 15 series, the Apple Watch Series 9, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Apple’s Wonderlust event in September.
If you have an iPhone running iOS 17, you’re in luck; NameDrop is easy to use. Not everyone is sold on Apple’s latest contact sharing feature, but keep reading for everything you need to know.
What is NameDrop?
NameDrop is the latest way iPhone users can share contact information with each other. You no longer need to hand over your phone to strangers in order to exchange contact details. Simply tap your phones together to swap information.
When can I use NameDrop?
If you’re an iPhone user, you’re in luck. NameDrop is available to you now, or as soon as you upgrade to iOS 17– that is, as long as you have a supported iPhone.
Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work See all pictures How does NameDrop work?
In a Newsroom post, Apple called NameDrop a “new AirDrop experience.” iPhone users can “hold their iPhone near another to share their contact details with just their intended recipients.”
Recently, Forbesreported that law enforcement officials across the country have been raising concerns about the privacy of NameDrop. These concerns are centered on the ease at which individuals could potentially steal your information.
When the feature was released back in September, Apple clarified that you’ll be able to choose what information you share with other people, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally sending super-personal info to strangers.
All you have to do is place your iPhone near to the desired recipient of your NameDrop, and you’re done. When you’ve positioned the phones together, a Contact Poster will appear (that is, the image that appears when you call someone). After that, you’ll have the option to just receive the contact or send your own back.
You’ll only be able to NameDrop with other iPhone users running iOS 17 or later and Apple Watch users running Watch OS 10 or later.
