Apple’s new feature, NameDrop, was introduced with iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1. This feature allows users to exchange contact information by placing their Apple devices near each other with explicit user permission. However, some news organizations and police departments have been spreading misinformation about how NameDrop functions.
According to The Washington Post, there have been warnings about NameDrop popping up on FaceTime with police departments in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Ohio, and other states suggesting that contact information can be easily shared “just by bringing your phones close together.” The City of Chester Police Department in Ohio, for example, issued an alert advising users to turn off the feature to prevent automatic sharing of contact information.
However, the way NameDrop functions is more nuanced than simply placing two iPhones near each other. The feature works when two iPhones running iOS 17.1 or an iPhone with iOS 17.1 and an Apple Watch running watchOS 10.1 are placed right next to each other, almost touching. When both devices are unlocked, a pop-up appears prompting users to share contact information or an image.
It’s important to note that contact information is not shared automatically, and it is a user-initiated process that requires both parties to accept the transfer. While accidental sharing could occur, it would require a user to unlock their device and accept the sharing prompt for it to happen.
Despite this, multiple police departments spread the warning about NameDrop, which was widely shared on social networks. Some police departments edited their messages to clarify the process, stating that the intent was to get parents engaged with their children regarding their device usage. Similarly, several local news stories have also disseminated misleading information about NameDrop, raising concerns among users.
While the negative feedback may prompt Apple to consider turning off NameDrop by default in a future update, users who wish to disable it can do so by accessing the Settings app, navigating to AirDrop, and turning off the “Bringing Devices Together” feature.
