How to share stuff easily in iOS 17

iOS 17 sharing features
(Image credit: David Crookes)

Introduced in 2011, AirDrop has become one of Apple’s most useful features. It has allowed you to select a file, such as a photo, open the Share menu and choose a nearby Apple device to send it to. And, as of iOS 17, AirDrop has now become even easier to use by allowing transfers to take place simply by bringing two iPhones close together – while allowing some transfers to continue even if the handsets actually become far apart.

As well as allowing photos and videos to be shared, you can now more easily share contact details using NameDrop and media via SharePlay. It’s also possible to transfer large files with very little effort. And in the case of NameDrop, you can share contact details between an iPhone and Apple Watch running watchOS 10. All in all, it makes AirDrop feel more seamless. 

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

TOPICS
David Crookes

David Crookes has been writing professionally for close to 30 years largely specialising in technology for much of his career. Since becoming a freelance writer, he has written for a wide number of publications including the Apple-focussed magazines iCreate and Macworld. His love of gaming has seen him write for Retro Gamer and Wireframe among others and, despite his love of Apple, he still uses a PC – working for PC Pro and once writing for Total PC Gaming. 

One of his joys is helping others to use technology which has led him to writing many “how to” tutorials explaining many ways of getting the most out of various devices. He's become an expert user of the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. He also likes to kick back with a gaming session on an PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X | S while getting his retro fix on an Evercade handheld.

Read more
Apple Xmas event Battersea
Got a new Apple device? Here are a few top tips to get you started
A group of people taking a selfie using the iPhone 16e.
7 reasons the iPhone 16e is a huge improvement on the iPhone SE 3
The Apple logo on a background of clouds in a blue sky
iPhone and Mac users are upset over Apple's automatic AI photo analysis
Apple's iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e has an annoying hidden design flaw
January sale Apple deals
New Year, new gear: the best Apple January sale deals include up to 20% off MacBook Airs
Apple Intelligence
Is Apple Intelligence already doomed to irrelevance?
Latest in Phones & Tablets
Nothing Phone 2a; a white phone with eye-like cameras
Nothing Phone 2a looks like it's been designed by Pixar - I love it
iPhone 13 render
Here's why you might want to wait for the iPhone 17
Ugee M908 review; a small black drawing tablet in a wooden table
Ugee M908 review: a surprisingly brilliant budget drawing tablet
An image of a phone in rice
Apple finally admits what we always suspected: iPhones and rice don't mix
Ugee UE12 Plus review; a drawing tablet on a wooden table with a dragon illustration
Ugee UE12 Plus review: a good value pen display for students on a budget
Google Pixel Fold
Leaks for the Pixel Fold 2 suggest Google is heading in a new direction
Latest in How to
Gesture drawing: all you need to know plus ways to practise in 2 and 5 minutes
How to draw a male figure
drawing of a naked woman with someone drawing it
How to draw a female figure
GIMP in pro work
Making GIMP 3.0 work for pro results: is it possible?
Pejman Rajabi 3D tutorial of Super Mario fan art
“One of the best creative experiences of my life, working with such an amazing artistic crew” – how VFX artist Pejman Rajabi and friends created a heartfelt tribute to Super Mario
Marco Teixeira 3D tutorial
“The challenge was to create a cool character design”: concept artist Marco Teixeira reveals the techniques and inspiration behind his superb 3D character render