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Secure AirDrop and NameDrop
What is AirDrop?
AirDrop is an easy way to share images, documents or other files between Apple devices that are near each other. You can set it up so that everyone near you can share, so that only your contacts can share, or so that no one can share.
Note: The Contacts Only option is available on devices with iOS 10, iPadOS 13.1, and macOS 10.12, or later. If your device uses an earlier software version and you want to limit who can send files to you over AirDrop, you can turn it on when you need it and then disable it when not in use.
What is NameDrop?
NameDrop (part of AirDrop) is an easy way for you to share your contact information with someone, or receive theirs, without handing them your iPhone. NameDrop allows users to easily share contact information by simply bringing their iPhone devices together, or by bringing an iPhone and Apple Watch together (Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 7 or later, and Apple Watch SE 2nd generation).
You can also choose the specific contact details that you want to share—and importantly, what information you don’t want to share. To use NameDrop, both devices must be running iOS 17.1 or later, or watchOS 10.1 or later. See Review and update your Contact Card.
NameDrop works automatically. If you need to turn NameDrop off, see Turn Off NameDrop.
Note: When you share your contact information through Contacts or NameDrop, by default your pronouns aren’t shared. When you’re sharing another contact’s information, their pronouns are never shared.
Find out how: To view a task below, select the plus button next to its title.
Manage AirDrop
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings
> General, tap AirDrop, then choose an option that works best for you.
To learn more, see:
Use AirDrop on iPhone to send items to nearby devices in the iPhone User Guide
Use AirDrop on iPad to send items to nearby devices in the iPad User Guide
Review and update your Contact Card
You can update the information that you share in NameDrop by updating your Contact Card—for example, if you only want to share your first name or your initials.
Note: NameDrop shares only your name, the phone number or email address you choose, and Contact Poster information associated with your Contact Card. It doesn’t share other information in your Contact Card, like your home address or birthday.
Open the Contacts app
.
Tap My Card > Edit.
Review and update your name, phone numbers, and email addresses that you’d like to share through NameDrop.
To learn more, see:
Add or edit your contact info and photo on iPhone in the iPhone User Guide
Add or edit your contact info and photo on iPad in the iPad User Guide
Share your contact info with NameDrop
You can share your contact info with another person.
Do one of the following:
Share from iPhone or iPad: Hold your iPhone a few centimeters above the other person’s iPhone or Apple Watch.
Share from Apple Watch to Apple Watch: Open the Contacts app
on your Apple Watch, tap your picture in the top-right corner, tap Share, then bring your watch to the other person’s Apple Watch.
A glow emerges from both devices, and Apple Watch vibrates to indicate that a connection is being made.
Continue holding your devices near each other until NameDrop appears on both screens.
Choose to share your contact card (or a specific phone number or email address) and receive the other person’s, or choose to receive only the other person’s.
If you’re sharing your contact card, tap
, select the fields you want to include, then tap Save. The same fields are selected by default next the time you use NameDrop.
To cancel, move the two devices away from each other or lock your iPhone before the NameDrop transfer is complete.
Turn Off NameDrop
Open the Settings app
.
Tap General > AirDrop.
Turn off Bringing Devices Together.