If you are not comfortable with the latest contact sharing feature of Apple , stop NameDrop from automatically sharing your information with this tutorial which shows you everything you need to know about how to turn it off.
Since iOS 17 arrived in September, users have had a good amount of time to evaluate all the new features that the technology giant's latest update has brought. While some features have been praised for being super useful or fun to use, others have not received the same acceptance.
One of the features that has seriously divided users is NameDrop. While some people enjoy the ease of being able to simply pick up their phone to share their contact information with others, some are wary of that same ease. Specifically, there are concerns about how easily contact information can be accidentally shared with someone, or even worse, how it could simply be stolen.
Many security agencies have concerns about the ease with which someone could access our personal information. without consent. Although NameDrop doesn't necessarily work that way, it's still reasonable to want to turn it off if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe using the feature.
If you decide that it is best to disable NameDrop, keep reading this article and I will briefly tell you how to do it.
Is NameDrop dangerous?
No, NameDrop is not dangerous in itself. According to Apple, You can select which pieces of information are shared when you pass your contact on to someone else.
You also only have two options when two iPhones are placed together and the NameDrop option is presented. You can only receive information, which means you will only receive the other person's contact information, or you can share. When you select the Share option, you will send your contact information and you will receive the other person's contact information.
If you somehow accidentally activate NameDrop on someone you don't want, you have options. You can be ultra-selective about what information you choose to share, or opt only to receive it. If you're worried about sharing information in a public place, you can step back and find a quiet place.
If you prefer not to be disturbed, It may be recommended that users disable the setting in Airdrop settings.
Turning off NameDrop is pretty simple, but it's important to note that NameDrop is automatically turned on when you download iOS 17 or purchase a iPhone 15, so you will have to disable it manually if you do not want it to be active on your phone.
How do I disable NameDrop?
If you want NameDrop disabled forever, it's pretty easy to disable it. All you need to do to disable NameDrop is follow these steps:
- First open the app Settings from your iPhone.
- Now tap on General admission.
- Go to the tab AirDrop.
- Once you open the tab, simply disable the option «Bringing the devices closer». It's as easy as that. And if you change your mind and decide that you're comfortable with NameDrop and want to enable it, all you need to do is turn the "Bringing devices closer together" option back on.
- And it would be
Why are authorities warning iPhone users about NameDrop?
It's useful for quickly sharing information without having to send a text message or email to share a contact card. But authorities are warning that could give “bad guys” easy access to the personal information of unsuspecting victims.
The feature has led police departments across the US to issue alerts to parents. For example, the Jefferson Hills Police Department urged parents whose children have iPhones to disable the feature.
"This feature could allow you to share your contact information by simply holding your phones together," the department wrote in a Facebook post. "Don't forget to change these settings after the update on your kids' phones, too, to help keep them safe."
What risks does NameDrop pose?
Cybersecurity experts say the feature makes it easier to share personal information, even with people who want to misuse it.
"This may include your name, phone number, email address, home address, work address, birthday, a photo of your face, and more. The more information cybercriminals have access to, the more damage they can do to you and your finances,” said Mike Scheumack, chief innovation officer at identity theft protection company IdentityIQ.
While anyone who chooses to use the feature should be cautious, some say warnings to avoid NameDrop entirely are overblown.
"Features like Apple's NameDrop that reveal personal information should be treated with caution, but not necessarily avoided," said Kurt Sanger, a cybersecurity expert at Batten Safe and former deputy general counsel at the U.S. federal Cyber Command.
"If NameDrop works as advertised, a user will have to make deliberate and intentional choices to share information from one device to another."
Cliff Steinhauer, Director of Information Security and Engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, said he does not believe NameDrop poses a serious security problem because iPhone users have the opportunity to refuse to share their own contact cards.
"We haven't seen any bad actors use it to steal that information as of now"
Conclusion
New NameDrop feature in iOS 17 lets you quickly exchange contact information via AirDrop simply by bringing your iPhone closer to another iPhone or Apple Watch. Your name and contact card are shared with NameDrop, along with your phone number, email address, and other information we choose.
There are two types of inconveniences when using the function, that NameDrop is activated automatically when neither of the two users wanted to perform the action or even if you carry two iPhones in your pocket, in which case the function can be a hindrance, or as we have talked about in the article, when someone wants to misuse our information, so the user must always finally decide whether or not they want to activate NameDrop.