Apple showcased the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series during its Wonderlust event and one of the features we’re excited about this year is NameDrop.
The feature was actually first announced at WWDC 2023 earlier this summer and, rather than being exclusive to the latest iPhone collection, it’s available on all models running iOS 17.
In a nutshell, it’s a new way to use Apple’s AirDrop tech by simply bumping your iPhone with your buddy’s iPhone to initiate the transfer – and it’s not exclusively to share contact information either.
Keep reading to learn all about the next step for Apple AirDrop.
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What is NameDrop in iOS 17?
NameDrop is an iOS 17 feature that makes it possible for two users to exchange contact information simply by bringing their iPhones together.
The feature builds upon the existing AirDrop functionality that allows users to transfer contact details wirelessly. However, unlike AirDrop, NameDrop doesn’t require you to scroll through every Apple device in proximity to find the user standing right in front of you.
Instead, all you need to do is hold two iPhones next to each other to swap contacts with friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances quickly and conveniently.
NameDrop also brings personalised contact posters to the iPhone, essentially allowing you to create a digital business card with your choice of fonts, colours and a photo (or Memoji) of your face. This includes any other phone numbers or email addresses you want to share with your contacts.
These posters are stored in your phone’s contact cards, meaning your iPhone will light up with your friend’s poster when they give you a ring and vice versa, creating a new way to see whose calling at a glance.
It doesn’t just work with contact information either; you can bump iPhones to share photos and videos via AirDrop, iniate SharePlay sessions and much more, making it much easier to share content with your iPhone buddies.
NameDrop isn’t an entirely new or unique concept. NFC contactless technology has enabled people to share content on supported Android phones for years. However, it’s a new addition for iOS and certainly a step up from regular AirDrop transfers.
When is NameDrop coming to iOS 17?
NameDrop is available on all iOS 17-compatible iPhones following the release of the big iPhone update on September 18 2023.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
