Since Apple introduced AirDrop in iOS 7, it has become a popular way for iPhone users to easily send photos, videos, documents, and more to nearby Apple devices. The functionality hasn't changed much over the years, but this year Apple added a number of new features to AirDrop with iOS 17 that make it even better than before.
Here are five new AirDrop features that come with the iOS 17 update, which is expected to come to iPhone in the fall:
1- NameDrop function:
NameDrop is a new AirDrop feature introduced in iOS 17 that aims to make it easier to share your number and contact information. With NameDrop, you don't have to type in someone's number to call or text them to tell them your number, and you don't have to hold your phone near the other person's phone to exchange contact information.
When you put the two phones together, each person's contact card appears with a picture that you can customize and edit, and the user can select the number and email address from the contact card they want to share. The feature also works on nearby iPhones and Apple Watch running the latest version of the operating system, watchOS 10, due out this year.
2- New gestures for sharing content:
The gesture of holding an iPhone near another NameDrop-enabled iPhone helps when sharing things like photos and files. Once the two phones are reunited, the AirDrop transfer begins, eliminating the need to manually select a person's name.
3- Transfer files over the Internet:
The current way AirDrop works requires you to keep your phone near the other person's phone until the transfer is complete. If you leave the transfer available in AirDrop, the transfer will fail and content sharing will not complete. This can be inconvenient, especially when sending or receiving many large files, such as videos.
However, if you keep AirDrop in iOS 17, the content you want to share with others online will continue to be sent safely and securely. The only requirement to use this feature is that both you and the recipient are signed into your iCloud account.
4. Use SharePlay via AirDrop:
An iPhone can be placed side by side to collaborate with a specific person via the SharePlay service, allowing both of them to listen to an audio clip or watch a movie together.
With the new SharePlay API, third-party app developers can enable their apps to support this feature, allowing you to play the same game and other collaborative activities with your friends.
5- Unclear Image:
iOS doesn't allow anyone to stream photos or documents to your phone unless you agree. However, one problem with Airdrop is that it shows a preview of what the other person sent, which appears on your phone screen as you or not. Whether you want to see it or not. Sometimes this can cause unwanted images to appear.
And to prevent that. In iOS 17, Apple introduced a new feature to automatically hide photos sent via AirDrop that may contain sensitive content. However, you can unhide them by clicking on the "Unhide" button.