Apple’s NameDrop feature in iOS 17 is enjoying a moment of popularity. In the US, police departments are warning adults to disable the contact sharing feature on their iPhones and their children’s devices. Furthermore, a widely shared TikTok video, with over 2 million views, describes how the feature allows strangers at the gym or on the bus to steal all your information. The trick? It isn’t. You shouldn’t worry that NameDrop poses a huge security risk.
First announced at the company’s developer conference in June, NameDrop is an extension of Apple’s AirDrop functionality. When NameDrop is activated, two iPhone users can activate the feature by holding the top ends of their smartphones together. Then a contact card with your e-mail and phone number may appear on your device. After that, you can tap Share or Receive Only. If you choose to share your contact information, it will be sent to the other device. End the transaction by tapping Done in the top left corner of the screen.
Contact sharing will be cancelled if the two smartphones are pulled apart at any time during the process or if you decide to lock your iPhone using the power button. Although NameDrop is enabled automatically when you upgrade to iOS 17, it is crucial to note that consent is required throughout the process. A random person on the street cannot simply bump into you for a few seconds and then walk away with your phone number.
Still want to disable the NameDrop functionality for your iPhone? Start by opening Settings, then tap General and AirDrop. Go to the section labelled Start sharing via and activate Gather devices on the left. On this page, you can also change the settings for who can send information via AirDrop to your phone.
The iPhone is not the only Apple product that can use NameDrop. If you own a newer Apple Watch, you can receive contact information from iPhones and other Apple Watches. To initiate a transfer from one Watch to another, you’ll need to open Contacts and tap on your picture. Choose Share and hold your watches together. (You do not need to hold hands to complete the NameDrop.) Voluntarily follow the same steps listed above to share your information.
Apple calls the image that appears during a NameDrop your Contact Poster. It’s not just for NameDrops; the Contact Poster lets you control what appears when a message or call lands on a friend or family member’s phone. It is highly customisable, with a range of colour choices and the option to display a selfie, a memoji or just your name. Check out this guide for in-depth tips on how to personalise it.
While you shouldn’t worry much about the Name Drop feature on your iPhone, it’s important to be aware of how your smartphone can leak personal data. A good place to start is to check whether you are sharing location data in a way you don’t actually intend to. Another key step to protect your iPhone is to update the software as soon as the new option becomes available so that Apple can correct potential exploits.
