Google Is Bringing an iOS-Style Instant Contact-Sharing Feature to Android

For years, Android and iOS have traded ideas—some subtle, others unmistakably bold. Now, Google appears to be preparing another iOS-inspired upgrade for Android users: a NameDrop-like instant contact-sharing feature that greatly simplifies how people exchange personal details.

Recent findings from the latest Google Play Services build reveal a feature internally known as Gesture Exchange or Contact Exchange, signaling Google’s intention to make contact sharing smoother, faster, and more intuitive.

How Google’s Contact Exchange Works

According to code analysis and early visuals uncovered by Android Authority, the feature activates when two Android phones are brought together. This is similar to how Apple’s NameDrop works on iPhones running iOS 17 or later.

What Users Can Share

Once phones are near each other, users may share:

• Profile photo
  
  

• Phone number
  
  

• Email address
  
  

• Or choose “receive only” if they prefer to keep their information private

After the exchange completes, the recipient sees a confirmation screen where they can instantly:

• Save the contact
  
  

• Start a video call
  
  

• Send a message

This reduces friction and makes contact sharing a one-gesture action.

Will It Use NFC Only—or More?

As of now, Contact Exchange appears to rely primarily on NFC, the same technology used for tap-and-pay features. NFC ensures fast device recognition and secure intent-based interactions.

However, NFC has one major limitation: low bandwidth. This means it's perfect for exchanging contact cards but not for larger files.

Google has not yet confirmed whether Contact Exchange will expand to use:

• Bluetooth
  
  

• Wi-Fi Direct
  
  

• Ultra-wideband

These would enable richer sharing options in the future. With Android and iOS increasingly matching each other feature-for-feature, an expanded version seems likely.

Android and iOS: A History of Borrowing Smart Ideas

Feature cross-pollination between the two ecosystems is nothing new.
Some notable examples include:

• Apple adopting home screen widgets after Android popularized them
  
  

• Google exploring a Dynamic Island-like interface for Android 16
  
  

• Google adding AirTag-style tracker detection after Apple’s ecosystem raised safety concerns
  
  

• iOS copying free icon placement, a longtime Android feature

The new Contact Exchange simply continues this trend—one where users benefit the most.

As Android and iOS continue to evolve, users find themselves switching devices more frequently or managing larger libraries of photos, contacts, and files. This is where a third-party app like Smart Transfer becomes incredibly useful. Smart Transfer offers a transfer quick solution for moving data across phones, making migrations fast and stress-free. The app also includes a Duplicate photos remover, helping users clean their galleries before swapping devices. Whether you’re switching platforms or upgrading hardware, Smart Transfer ensures your essentials move with you smoothly and without complications.

A More Unified Future for Mobile Sharing

Google’s upcoming Contact Exchange shows that the company is committed to making person-to-person interactions easier—something Apple refined early with NameDrop. While the underlying technology may evolve beyond NFC, the direction is clear: intuitive, gesture-driven sharing is becoming a universal smartphone experience.

As both operating systems continue borrowing from each other, users get the best of both worlds—and with data-migration tools like Smart Transfer, moving between devices has never felt easier.