Apple’s AirDrop feature, which allows iPhone users to quickly and easily share photos, videos, documents and more with nearby devices, has received some useful updates in iOS 17. These changes make AirDrop more convenient, customizable, and secure.
See More: iOS 17 Bringing Devices Together Explained
NameDrop
The biggest AirDrop addition in iOS 17 is NameDrop. This new feature lets you instantly share your contact information with another iPhone user by simply bringing the devices close together.
When two iPhones with iOS 17 are brought near each other, a popup will appear allowing you to share your contact card. Your contact card can include your name, phone number, email address, and even your new iOS 17 Contact Poster. The other user will see your information and have the option to share their contact card back with you.
NameDrop provides a quick and easy way to exchange contact info when meeting someone new. It’s more convenient than manually adding a new contact or sharing your phone number.
Proximity Sharing
iOS 17 also introduces proximity sharing for AirDrop. Now when you want to share a photo, video or other file with a friend nearby, you can simply tap their device in the AirDrop sharing menu rather than waiting for them to accept the transfer.
This allows for quicker, more seamless sharing since the receiving device doesn’t need to manually accept the file transfer. As long as the other user’s device is unlocked and has AirDrop turned on, they will automatically receive the content you tap to share.
Transfers Over Internet
A useful AirDrop upgrade coming later in iOS 17 is the ability to continue file transfers over internet connections. Currently, AirDrop content sharing fails if the devices move out of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.
With the iOS 17 update, AirDrop will use Apple’s cloud infrastructure to complete transfers between iCloud accounts even if the devices are no longer in close proximity. This is extremely convenient for sharing large files that may take a while to fully send.
Customizable With Contact Posters
The new Contact Posters in iOS 17 offer more personalization options for AirDrop. Your poster includes your profile picture, name, and a design template.
When you AirDrop content to someone, your Contact Poster gives your transfer a bit more personality. It also appears when sharing your contact card via NameDrop. You can customize your poster with different colors, fonts, and Memoji.
More Secure Sharing
Along with the new features, Apple has enhanced AirDrop security in iOS 17. You can turn off the ability for people to AirDrop you content if you don’t want unsolicited photos or files from strangers.
There is also a new blurring option that will automatically obscure any AirDropped nude photos before you view them. These improvements give users more control over unwanted content.
In a nutshell, AirDrop is faster, more customizable, intelligent, and secure with the iOS 17 update. Convenient additions like NameDrop and proximity sharing make AirDrop an even more useful iPhone feature.
