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How to Fix NameDrop Not Working in iOS 17/18? - 6 Useful Tips

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"I recently upgraded my iPhone 13 to iOS 17, I've setup my contact card but for some reason the namedrop feature doesn't work with other iPhone, I've turned on Bringing Devices Together under the airdrop setting but that doesn't solve the issue".

- from Apple Community

NameDrop is a new feature introduced in iOS 17 that allows users to quickly share contact information by bringing their iPhone or Apple Watch close to other devices. However, some users have encountered issues with this feature, such as the inability to connect or the feature not responding. This article will explore common reasons why iOS 17/18 NameDrop not working properly and provide specific solutions for fixing the problem.

 

Part 1. How to Use NameDrop on iOS 17/18

You can use NameDrop to easily share new contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch. However, NameDrop is only designed to send new contact information, not to update existing contacts.

How do I enable NameDrop?

Step 1. Make sure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop are enabled on both iPhones. You can check this in the Control Center to ensure all three icons are active.

Step 2. Unlock and turn on the screens of both iPhones. Bring the devices close together, nearly touching.

Step 3. Once the NameDrop screen appears, choose the contact details you wish to share, and they will be sent instantly.

Step 4. A glow will appear at the top of both devices to indicate a successful connection. Keep the phones close until NameDrop appears on both screens.

Step 5. On your iPhone, tap "Share" or "Receive Only". If you tap "Share", your contact information will be sent. If you tap "Receive Only", you will get the other person's contact details.

how to use namedrop on iphone

Part 2. Why Is My NameDrop Not Working?

However, sometimes, you may find the iOS 17/18 NameDrop not working. Why is Apple NameDrop not working? The following are some possible reasons:

  • Device Incompatibility: NameDrop only supports devices running iOS 17 or later. If the device has an older system version, the feature will be unavailable.
  • Settings Issue: AirDrop or contact sharing options on the device may not be enabled.
  • Device Distance Issue: The devices may be too far apart or not properly aligned.
  • Device Incompatibility: Some older models of iPhone or Apple Watch do not support NameDrop.
  • Network or System Issues: Network settings or system problems may interfere with the feature's functionality.

Part 3. How to Fix NameDrop Not Working

After we know the reasons for iOS 17/18 NameDrop not working, here are some solutions you can try.

Fix 1. Update Both Devices to iOS 17/18

NameDrop is a new feature in iOS 17 and iOS 18, and it will not work if the device is not running one of these system versions. Therefore, make sure both the sender's and receiver's devices are upgraded to iOS 17 or iOS 18.

To update iOS, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" to check the current system version. (iPhone stuck on software update?)

Step 2. If an update is available, tap "Download and Install".

update ios to fix ios 17/18 namedrop not working

Fix 2. Enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop

NameDrop uses AirDrop technology to share contact details, so AirDrop must be enabled for the feature to function properly. Additionally, since AirDrop relies on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, these must also be turned on for NameDrop to work as intended.

To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the device's Control Center.

Step 2. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "AirDrop", and select "Contacts Only" or "Everyone". (AirDrop not working on iPhone?)

enable airdrop to fix ios 17/18 namedrop not working

Step 3. Follow the same steps on the other phone.

Fix 3. Check Device Compatibility

Not all devices support NameDrop. If you're using an older device, you may encounter the issue of NameDrop not working in iOS 17/18.

iPhone models that support NameDrop:

  • iPhone 16/16 Pro/16 Plus/16 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15/15 Pro/15 Plus/15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14/14 Plus/iPhone 14 Pro/14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13/13 Mini/iPhone 13 Pro/13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12/12 Mini/iPhone 12 Pro/12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XR/iPhone XS/XS Max

Fix 4. Restart the iPhone

Sometimes, temporary system glitches on the device can cause the NameDrop to not work. Restarting the device is a simple and effective solution.

To restart the iPhone, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Press and hold either the "volume" button and the "side" button until the power-off slider appears.

Step 2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to power off.

Step 3. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

restart iphone to fix ios 17/18 namedrop not working

Fix 5. Use iOS System Recovery

If the above methods don't resolve the issue, there may be an internal system fault. iOS System Recovery is a professional iOS system repair tool that can fix various system issues without data loss, including iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, iPhone black/green/blue screen, iPhone won't restore, and more. What's more, you can use this tool to upgrade or downgrade the iOS versions for free.

Here is how to use iOS System Recovery to fix iOS 17/18 NameDrop not working:

01Download and install the tool on your computer. Once the installation is complete, open the program and select "iOS System Recovery".

02Connect your iPhone to the computer and trust the connection. Then, click "Start" and follow the on-screen instructions to enter recovery mode.

click the start the button

03Select "Standard Mode" and click "Confirm" to proceed. The tool will begin downloading the necessary iOS firmware.

select the repair mode

04After the firmware is downloaded, click "Repair" to start the repair process. The tool will fix your device and resolve issues, such as NameDrop not working.

fix namedrop not working using ios system recovery

Fix 6. Contact Apple Support

If the issue is still not resolved, you can contact Apple Support for assistance. Apple Support can provide hardware checks and further guidance.

Part 4. NameDrop Alternative to Share Contacts Between iOS Devices

If NameDrop is not working properly, you can use Coolmuster Mobile Transfer to share contact information. This tool supports fast transfer of contacts, photos, videos, and other data between iOS devices and Android devices.

Key features of Coolmuster Mobile Transfer:

  • Transfer calendars, contacts, bookmarks, eBooks (PDFs & ePubs), and notes from iOS to iOS.
  • Support to transfer from Android to Android, iOS to iOS, iOS to Android, and Android to iOS.
  • Compatible with the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16.
  • Easy, stable, and fast process.

Here is how to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone using Mobile Transfer:

01Download and launch the program. Then, connect both your iOS devices using two USB cables. When prompted on your iDevice, tap "Trust".

trust your device

02Once both devices are detected, you will see the interface shown below. If the source and destination devices are reversed, simply click the "Flip" button to switch them.

the main interface of iphone to iphone transfer

03Select "Contacts" from the middle menu and then click the "Start Copy" button. Your contact information will be transferred in just a few minutes.

transfer contacts from iphone to iphone with mobile transfer

Video Tutorial:

Wrapping Up

That's all there is to know about NameDrop. I believe that by following the troubleshooting steps mentioned above, you can easily resolve the "NameDrop not working" issue. If the problem persists, I recommend using Coolmuster Mobile Transfer for quick contact sharing and data transfer.

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