Google is developing a new contact-sharing feature for Android, dubbed “Gesture Exchange,” which will allow users to share contact details by simply placing two phones close together, mimicking Apple’s popular NameDrop. This NFC-based tool promises seamless, customizable, and privacy-focused exchanges.
Android users may soon experience a contact-sharing feature similar to Apple’s iPhone NameDrop, enabling effortless exchange of contact information with a simple gesture. Codenamed “Gesture Exchange” or “Contact Exchange,” the feature was uncovered within the beta version of Google Play Services and is expected to make connecting with new contacts faster than ever.
Key Highlights:
How It Works: Using NFC technology, users will share contact details by bringing two Android phones close together. A prompt will appear allowing users to select which data—photo, name, phone number, or email—they want to send.
Privacy Controls: The feature includes a “Receive Only” mode that lets users collect contact information without sharing their own, enhancing user control during exchanges.
User Experience: The recipient sees only the approved details and can save them instantly as a new contact, eliminating manual entry or QR code scanning.
Device Compatibility: Since it is part of Google Play Services, the feature will likely be available across most modern Android phones equipped with NFC, including Samsung, Google Pixel, and others.
Status and Rollout: Currently in active development and testing within beta releases, we can expect “Gesture Exchange” to debut in a forthcoming Google Play Services update or Android OS release.
Comparison with Apple: Inspired by Apple’s NameDrop introduced with iOS 17, Google’s version may offer more granular sharing options, though cross-platform compatibility remains uncertain.
Industry experts believe this move signifies Google’s growing focus on seamless ecosystem features, offering Android users a modernized way to connect effortlessly. It also highlights the contemporary trend where major tech companies borrow and innovate upon each other’s user-friendly functionalities.
Sources Android Central, Android Authority, Hindustan Times, PhoneArena.