ATLANTA — Several Georgia police departments are warning iPhone users to be careful with a new feature on the latest Apple update that shares personal information.

Apple’s new iOS 17.1 update comes with the “NameDrop” feature, which allows users to quickly share contact information with a nearby iPhone and Apple Watch.

The feature can only work with phones that are close together, but police cautioned users about the danger of contact information being stolen.

TRENDING STORIES:

• ‘He was doing what he was born to do;’ Roomba makes daring escape attempt from Cobb Co. home
• Police arrest another smash-and-grab suspect in string of downtown Atlanta business break-ins
• Motorcade route set for former first lady Rosalynn Carter

However, Apple notes that NameDrop is designed to require multiple steps to get the contact information.

Here’s how it works and how you can turn it off, according to Apple.

How NameDrop works

1. Do one of the following:
1. Share from iPhone to iPhone or Apple Watch: Hold the display of your iPhone a few centimeters from the top of the other person’s iPhone or Apple Watch.
2. Share from Apple Watch to another Apple Watch: Open the “Contacts” app on your Apple Watch, tap your picture in the top-right corner, tap Share, then bring your watch close to the other person’s Apple Watch.
2. Continue holding your devices near each other until “NameDrop” appears on both screens.
3. Choose to share your contact card and receive the other person’s or only to receive the other person’s. To cancel, move the two devices away from each other or lock your iPhone before the NameDrop transfer is complete.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

How to turn NameDrop off

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap “General”
3. Tap “AirDrop”
4. Toggle “Bringing Devices Together” to off

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

‘He was doing what he was born to do;’ Roomba makes daring escape attempt from Cobb Co. home

©2023 Cox Media Group