Warning for iPhone users regarding latest update

Owners of an iPhone are familiar with the updates to the iOS operating system that Apple often sends out. Often the updates are minor, updating graphics or other aspects of the cell phones. With the most recent iOS 17 update, however, users are being advised of a change that could poses a potential risk.

Apple has installed a feature called 'NameDrop,' which allows users to easily share contact information to another iPhone by simply holding the Phones closely together.

For some, there is a concern that information passed to another phone could include a picture, phone number, email address and more, with police departments across the US warning parents that younger users of the iPhone may accidentally share their contact information with strangers.

iPhone users have the option to shut this feature off by following a few simple steps”

First, go to the ‘Settings’ app, and under the tab ‘general’, locate the ‘AirDrop’ feature. Users should be able to find the ‘Bringing Devices Together’ tab, and from there, users are able to shift from 'On' to 'Off,' and vice versa.

The feature is meant to be a quick way for people to share contact information by simply touching their phones together, and not having to type out the information, but users should understand what information is being shared with others when using this feature.

For its part, Apple said the contacts won’t be shared unless users choose to share contact card and receive the other person’s. There is a screen that pops up asking for users to approve the sharing of information.

NameDrop will also cancel if the two iOS devices are moved away from each other or the iPhone is locked before the transfer completes.