Skip to main content

iOS 16.2 expands AirDrop 10-minute limit for ‘Everyone’ from China to everywhere

The iOS 16.2 Release Candidate is now available to developers, and it includes a number of different changes and upgrades. The update also expands a change to AirDrop that was previously limited to China: restricting how the “Everyone” option works with a new limitation.

A new restriction on AirDrop settings

Historically, Apple has three different options for AirDrop. “Receiving Off” entirely disables the ability for someone to AirDrop you something, while “Contacts Only” means that only people saved in your contacts could send you something with AirDrop.

There’s also an “Everyone” option that lets anyone nearby send you a file, photo, or other content via AirDrop. This means that anyone around you, regardless of whether or not you knew them, would see your iPhone as a target for AirDrop.

Last month, however, Apple made a change to this setting, starting with iPhone users in China. In iOS 16.1.1 and iOS 16.2 beta 2 in China, the “Everyone” option could only be enabled for 10 minutes. After that 10-minute period lapsed, the AirDrop setting would change back to “Contacts Only.”

Top comment by Norman Ying

Liked by 17 people

I think Apple needs to made 2 options for user. The feature can be defaulted to 10 mins and user can select different duration or set for no limit. I think user choose is a batter balance.

View all comments

Apple drew criticism for this change, as protesters in China had been using AirDrop to spread posters and other content in opposition to Xi Jinping and the Chinese government. The Chinese government is believed to have made the change request to Apple, and Apple complied with that request.

At the time, Apple also said it would expand this restriction for AirDrop globally starting in 2023. The company, however, appears to have expedited this timeline. Starting with iOS 16.2 RC today, the new restriction on the “Everyone” option for AirDrop is now in place globally.

What this means is that you can no longer have AirDrop enabled permanently for “Everyone.” Instead, the option can only be enabled for 10 minutes at a time. You’ll then have to go back into the AirDrop settings and re-check the “Everyone” option.

Now that the iOS 16.2 RC is available to developers, we expect the update to be released to everyone as soon as next week. The update includes a number of new changes and features, including end-to-end encryption upgrades, Apple Music Sing, and much more.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com