How to use the iOS 17 contact sharing feature — swap phone numbers in seconds

It's also known as NameDrop.
By Kimberly Gedeon  on 
How to use the iOS 17 contact sharing feature
Swapping details with the iOS 17 contact sharing feature (NameDrop) Credit: Apple

Apple rolled out a new contact sharing feature on iOS 17 called "NameDrop." This cool little perk, a spin off from AirDrop, lets you easily swap contact details with other iPhone users.

The process is seamless. You no longer need to do the awkward little dance of figuring out how to best exchange contact information. By simply placing your iPhone over their iPhone, you can snag their phone number and email address in a snap. Allow us to show you how to do it in three easy steps below.

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Via Giphy
Total Time
  • 2 minutes
What You Need
  • Two iPhones

Step 1: Place your iPhone other the other person's iPhone

Hover your iPhone, with the screen facing up, over the notch area of the other user's iPhone (ensure that their iPhone is facing up, too). A glow will appear, indicating that a connection has been made between the two iDevices.

NameDrop in action
Credit: Google

Step 2: You'll see two options on your screen: "Receive Only" and "Share"

Here, you'll have the option to choose either "Receive Only" or "Share." The former ensures that only you are the one receiving the other person's contact details. Share, on the other hand, prompts NameDrop to swap both contact details.

NameDrop UI on an iPhone
Credit: Google

Step 3: You should now receive the other person's contact details

After making your selection, you should see the other user's contact poster as well as any details they have decided to share with you.

Contact Sharing on iOS 17
Credit: Apple

Keep in mind that NameDrop only works for getting new contact details; it does not work for updating existing contacts.

Topics Apple iPhone

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Kimberly Gedeon
East Coast Tech Editor

Kimberly Gedeon, at Mashable since 2023, is a tech explorer who enjoys doing deep dives into the most popular gadgets, from the latest iPhones to the most immersive VR headsets. She's drawn to strange, avant-garde, bizarre tech, whether it's a 3D laptop, a gaming rig that can transform into a briefcase, or smart glasses that can capture video. Her journalism career kicked off about a decade ago at MadameNoire where she covered tech and business before landing as a tech editor at Laptop Mag in 2020.


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