The NameDrop function Apple in iOS 17 facilitates the exchange of contact details, but it also comes with safety measures to protect you from harassment. Let's see how to protect NameDrop from theft of personal information.
Without a doubt, NameDrop is one of the coolest features of iOS 17. In fact, this feature alone is receiving a major share of the spotlight in iOS 17. NameDrop allows you to exchange contact information simply by bringing the two iPhones together or an iPhone and a Apple Watch. And the truth is that the animation and images are what have captivated everyone.
Therefore, it is no longer necessary to enter contact details manually. The best thing about NameDrop is that it is built directly into AirDrop, so it's super fast. Trust me, the process works like magic. So, let's get started and see how to use NameDrop in iOS 17 on your iPhone. Go for it!
We must keep in mind that in the case of NameDrop, we only see the beginning and the end of the process, we do not know what is really happening, and that can leave us a little worried about how safe or not exactly this function is.
Everything Apple showed at its WWDC demo were two people who put their iPhones near each other, and then exchanged their contact details. So the concern is that if someone you don't want puts their iPhone near yours, they could get your personal information.
Although it may seem like this, this is not actually what happens and we are in control of this feature, so we can easily disable the entire NameDrop feature.
What is NameDrop?
NameDrop is a new feature that was introduced in iOS 17 in September. All you need to do is tap your iPhone against the top of someone else's iPhone with iOS 17. It's a very easy way to share business cards or send text messages with your contact information to someone.
The message that some law enforcement agencies and media outlets have shared online warns parents to change the settings on their children's iPhones, suggesting they are particularly at risk. Some users warn that simply keeping two phones close to each other allows contact data to be stolen via NameDrop.
What really happens in NameDrop
First, in theory, you and the other person have to hold the tops of your iPhones side by side. In practice, it depends on how you hold it and how you keep the two devices close to each other.
NameDrop can start when two iPhones are next to each other, although they have to be so close that they are practically touching. So someone might sneak their iPhone next to yours, but they'll be so close that you'll see them, and even if NameDrop starts automatically, it doesn't end without your explicit approval.
What happens when NameDrop starts is that you and the owner of the other iPhone see a glow and ripple effect on the screen (a visual effect, an animation) to say that a NameDrop connection is starting. If you see that animation and you don't want NameDrop to perform any action, you can simply stop it.
If you keep the iPhones together, both users get the NameDrop optionsThese are:
- Receive only
- Share
- If you choose Receive only, you only get the other person's contact information, assuming you don't choose the same option. Well, if you do, neither of you gets anything.
- For both of you to exchange details, you both have to choose Share.
- Again, if you decide you don't want to do this, you can move your iPhone away before the process is complete.
There are two most important points:
- You can choose what contact information is shared
- This only works with a new contact, it does not update or add to an existing one
How to disable NameDrop completely
It's a shame to have a convenient new feature and then just turn it off, but you can do it.
- First you have to open Settings
- Now go to General admission
- Now scroll down to AirDrop
- Disable device bonding
It may not be practical to disable this feature, but if you have any suspicion that you will be put in this situation of having your data stolen, disable NameDrop now.
This won't stop someone who is abusing your information and knows how iOS 17 works. It also won't stop someone who can take your iPhone from you. But, however, it will stop anyone who harasses or stalks, and where there is any risk with NameDrop, then we would have that part of the problem solved.
It's no surprise that Apple decided to focus on the benefits of NameDrop rather than any dangers it might pose.