Apple Announces New 'NameDrop' Feature for Sharing Between iPhones

As part of iOS 17, Apple at WWDC 2023 announced a new AirDrop-related feature called NameDrop, a potentially more convenient way of sharing things with another iPhone owner that's in the same physical location as you.

namedrop
With NameDrop, two people only need to bring each of their iPhones close together, and one can share a file or photos with the other person automatically. NameDrop supports the sharing of contact information (users can select which numbers and email addresses to share), and the feature also works between an ‌iPhone‌ and an Apple Watch as long as they are running up-to-date software.

With the same close-contact phone gesture, you can also share content or start SharePlay to listen to music, watch a movie, or play a game while in close proximity between ‌iPhone‌ devices, according to Apple.

NameDrop is compatible with iPhones running iOS 17 and will be supported on Apple Watch models running an update that Apple says will be available "later this year."

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: AirDrop
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

SDJim Avatar
31 months ago
Pepperidge Farms remembers...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_(application)
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DMG35 Avatar
31 months ago
I really likes all of these new features.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacFan782040 Avatar
31 months ago
iOS 17 seems like a very small upgrade, though these are nice changes.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blazerunner Avatar
31 months ago
I feel like this has been available on android for years...?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
31 months ago

iOS 17 seems like a very small upgrade, though these are nice changes.
Hoping the small features additions means they'll focus more on improving overall performance of iOS 17 instead.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
buck1127 Avatar
31 months ago
No CarPlay updates :(
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)