iOS 26.2 beta 3 includes an AirDrop feature that allows you to temporarily exchange files without adding each other as contacts.
New AirDrop feature makes one-time sharing easier
Until now, if you wanted to use AirDrop with someone you didn’t know, the easiest way was to add them as a contact. That’s something you probably don’t necessarily want. Your other option was to temporarily open AirDrop to everyone, which is of course not an ideal option either. In iOS 26.2, Apple has come up with a solution for this in the form of a new AirDrop function.
Thanks to this AirDrop function, it is possible to get an AirDrop code that you can share with someone who is not in your contact list. When you generate such a code, the person you want to use AirDrop with can enter that code. Your devices can then communicate with each other for 30 days. You can also remove access via the Settings app.
“Share a secure code with people not in your contacts to use AirDrop. You will be able to find each other for the next 30 days. You can manage access in Settings.”
“Share a secure code with people not in your contacts to use AirDrop. You can then find each other for the next 30 days. You can manage access in Settings.”
There have long been options to disable AirDrop completely, make AirDrop available only to contacts, or enable AirDrop for everyone for 10 minutes. This new code-based option provides a way to connect with someone you don’t want to add as a contact without having to enable AirDrop for everyone nearby. You can manage people with whom you have shared a one-time code as follows:
- Open the Settings app;
- Tap ‘General’;
- Tap ‘AirDrop’;
- Choose ‘Manage Known AirDrop Contacts’.
If you don’t have iOS 26.2 beta 3, you’ll have to be patient. Apple will release iOS 26.2 to the general public in December. Then you can try out the new AirDrop function yourself! Do you want to be sure you don’t miss anything? Then sign up for our newsletter and we will automatically keep you informed!
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