Did you recently update your iPhone? Police are warning about a new feature

Sierra Rehm
·2 min read
1

Police departments nationwide are issuing warnings about a new feature in Apple’s most recent software update, iOS 17.

The Jefferson Hills Police Department on Sunday joined others in explaining “NameDrop,” a feature sparking privacy concerns.

According to Apple, NameDrop helps quickly share contact information by bringing iPhones or Apple Watches close together.

Jefferson Hills police say this feature is on by default and shared how to turn it off. To shut off NameDrop, go to settings, select general, then AirDrop, then toggle off ‘Bringing Devices Together.’

Police encourage parents to turn this setting off on their children’s phones to help keep them safe.

Click here to learn more about the feature.

What is NameDrop?

With iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1, you can use NameDrop to quickly share contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch. NameDrop is available on Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 7 and later, and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation).

With iOS 17, the default setting is to turn on NameDrop.

How NameDrop works

Do one of the following:

  • Share from iPhone to iPhone or Apple Watch: Hold the display of your iPhone a few centimeters from the top of the other person’s iPhone or Apple Watch.

  • Share from Apple Watch to another Apple Watch: Open the “Contacts” app on your Apple Watch, tap your picture in the top-right corner, tap Share, then bring your watch close to the other person’s Apple Watch.

  • Continue holding your devices near each other until “NameDrop” appears on both screens.

  • Choose to share your contact card and receive the other person’s or only to receive the other person’s. To cancel, move the two devices away from each other or lock your iPhone before the NameDrop transfer is complete.

How to turn NameDrop off

  • Go to Settings

  • Tap “General”

  • Tap “AirDrop”

  • Toggle “Bringing Devices Together” to off

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