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AirDrop is one of the most convenient, coolest ways you can effortlessly “drop” photos from one Apple device to another (without going through the process of emailing or texting them). Relying on a Bluetooth connection, AirDrop is compatible with most devices running iOS 7 or later and usually works within seconds.
But, when it comes to protecting your privacy, there may be a few things you’re overlooking — like this scary mistake you’re making when you AirDrop photos on your iPhone.
For the most part, using AirDrop will be absolutely harmless and will provide a simpler way to access friends’ and family’s photos or share your own. There are times when you’ll even want to provide a complete stranger with the ability to AirDrop a photo — like when you’re on vacation and someone has caught a cool landscape shot you can’t seem to capture.
But there may also be times when some iPhone users abuse their power when using AirDrop.
On one side of the spectrum, there are users like one writer for The Verge who confessed to pranking strangers by AirDropping a photo of a sloth wearing a spacesuit. Pretty innocent, at least.
On one side of the spectrum, there are users like one writer for Vulture who confessed to pranking strangers by AirDropping a photo of a sloth wearing a spacesuit. Pretty innocent, at least.
Unfortunately, on the opposite end of the spectrum, there have been reports of people AirDropping salacious nude photos to strangers who most certainly weren’t asking to receive them.
The good news is that you can gain more control of who gets to AirDrop photos to your device.
Don’t make the mistake of setting your phone so that everyone on the planet can AirDrop photos your way. According to Howtogeek.com, you can adjust your AirDrop’s visibility by going to Finder > AirDrop and scroll to the bottom of the screen.
Here you’ll have the option of selecting “Everyone” or “Contacts Only” from a drop-down menu. If you do decide to just go with contacts, make sure they are already present in your Contacts app.
And remember: even if you aren’t allowing the world access to AirDrop to your device, there may be times when you just want to be left alone and aren’t in the mood to receive anything.
The solution is simple: access “Notification Center” at the top-right corner of your screen, click on “Today,” scroll up, and then toggle-Off “Do Not Disturb.”
