Technologies
Here’s How to Disable Apple’s iOS 17 NameDrop Feature in a Few Simple Steps
Uncomfortable with Apple’s latest contact sharing feature? Here’s how to disable it.
iOS 17 has been in the hands of Apple fans for months now. Users have had plenty of time to assess all of the new features the tech giant’s latest upgrade brought. While some features have been praised for being super helpful or fun to use, others haven’t had the same fanfare.
One feature that has users split is NameDrop. While some enjoy the ease of being able to simply raise their phone to share their contact info with others, some are wary of that very same ease. Specifically, there is concern about how easily contact information can accidentally be shared with someone you don’t want to share with — or even worse, how easily it could be stolen.
According to Forbes, law enforcement authorities around the country have been raising concerns about NameDrop’s security. These concerns are specifically being raised about the ease with which someone could access your personal information without your consent. While NameDrop doesn’t necessarily function that way (we’ll get into that a bit later), it’s still reasonable to want to disable it if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe using the feature.
If you decide you want to disable NameDrop, read on to find out your options for NameDrop management.
For more, here’s how to fix the most annoying iOS 17 features and everything you should do before updating to iOS 17.
Is NameDrop dangerous?
No, NameDrop isn’t necessarily dangerous. According to Apple, you’re able to select which pieces of information are shared when you NameDrop your contact to another person.
You also only have two options when two iPhones are placed together and the option for NameDrop is presented. You can either Receive Only, which means that you will only receive the other person’s contact information, or you can Share. When you select Share you will send your contact information and receive the other person’s contact information.
If you somehow accidentally NameDrop with someone you don’t want to, you’ve got options. You can be ultraselective about what information you choose to share, or opt to receive only. If you’re worried about sharing in a public place, Tony Anscombe, chief security evangelist at cybersecurity company ESET, has a low-tech way to share contact information out of sight in a place like a coffee shop or bar: Hide one iPhone under a notebook or magazine and then place the second iPhone on top of the obscured device to discreetly share contact data. If you’d rather not be bothered, Anscombe recommends that users disable the setting in the Airdrop settings.
Disabling NameDrop is pretty simple, but it’s important to note that NameDrop is automatically enabled when you download iOS 17 or purchase an iPhone 15, so you’ll have to manually turn it off if you don’t want it active on your phone.
How do I disable NameDrop?
If you want NameDrop disabled for good, it’s pretty simple to just turn it off.
All you need to do to disable NameDrop is:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Navigate to the AirDrop tab.
4. Once you open the tab, simply toggle the Bring Devices Together option off. It’s as easy as that. And if you have a change of heart and decide you feel comfortable with NameDrop and want to enable it, all you need to do is toggle the Bring Devices Together option back on.
For more, here’s our review of the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 28 #635
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Nov. 28, No. 635.
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.
Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is pretty tricky. If you’re not familiar with certain superstitious beliefs, you might not find all the answers. And some of the answers are difficult to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.
I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.
If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.
Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far
Hint for today’s Strands puzzle
Today’s Strands theme is: If all else fails…
If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Don’t tell, it won’t come true.
Clue words to unlock in-game hints
Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:
- GLUB, RATS, TARN, DALE, FONT, FOUNT, LASH
Answers for today’s Strands puzzle
These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:
- DANDELION, STAR, COIN, FOUNTAIN, LADYBUG, EYELASH
Today’s Strands spangram
Today’s Strands spangram is MAKEAWISH. To find it, start with the M that’s three letters down on the far right, and wind backwards.
Technologies
Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Nov. 28, #901
Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Nov. 28, #901.
Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.
Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is kind of tough. If you need help sorting the answers into groups, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.
The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.
Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time
Hints for today’s Connections groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: Appropriate.
Green group hint: I win!
Blue group hint: Musical instrument.
Purple group hint: Time to talk.
Answers for today’s Connections groups
Yellow group: Fitting.
Green group: Achieve victory over.
Blue group: Parts of an electric guitar.
Purple group: Phonetic elements of speech.
Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words
What are today’s Connections answers?
The yellow words in today’s Connections
The theme is fitting. The four answers are fair, just, proper and right.
The green words in today’s Connections
The theme is achieve victory over. The four answers are beat, best, take and worst.
The blue words in today’s Connections
The theme is parts of an electric guitar. The four answers are fret, peg, pickup and string.
The purple words in today’s Connections
The theme is phonetic elements of speech. The four answers are intonation, loudness, rhythm and stress.
Technologies
Anker’s New MagSafe Car Mount Keeps Your Phone Cool While Charging, and It’s 30% Off for Black Friday
Get wired-like charging speeds and MagSafe compatibility with Anker’s wireless car charging bundle for $62.99.
Black Friday is the best time of the year to upgrade the little essentials that make your everyday tech life more pleasant. I’ve found the perfect deal to amp up the phone charging setup in your car. This Anker MagSafe wireless car charging bundle is 30% off for the holidays, and it gives your iPhone a fast and steady way to power up while you navigate. It delivers up to 25-watt wireless charging speeds and with onboard active cooling, your phone stays comfortable to the touch.
Get it now for $62.99 verses the list price of $89.99.
What sets this charger apart is that its performance and cooling tech is built into a surprisingly compact package. The stand uses an ultra-strong Qi2 magnetic lock to keep your phone secure through bumps and turns. You can even tilt the mount and switch between portrait and landscape modes for navigation without blocking the view. The bundle has everything you need to get started including a 60-watt dual-USB-C charger, an adequately long USB-C cable, and cable organizers for a clean setup. Anker also includes a two-year warranty for peace of mind.
If you are getting your car prepped up for driving to a holiday vacation or just need a faster charging mount for your daily commute, this deal makes a lot of sense. CNET’s experts are also tracking more Black Friday and Cyber Monday picks across Apple products, headphones, and more, so you can score more savings before the sales season wraps up.
MOBILE DEALS OF THE WEEK
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$749 (save $250)
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$900 (save $400)
Why this deal matters
A high quality charger is a great addition to any car to speedily top up your phone on the go. You will especially want to look out for options from a top-tier brand like Anker for its fast charging speeds and reliability. This Black Friday deal is an excellent opportunity to save big on a staple car accessory. With holiday shopping heating up and tech accessories being one of the most popular categories, we expect the deal to sell out quick. So don’t wait too long before jumping on it.
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