Apple’s 10-minute AirDrop time limit in China will roll out globally in 2023

Apple has confirmed that iOS 16.1.1 time limits for receiving AirDrop transfers from non-contacts will come to all users worldwide in 2023.

• What is happening? In China, iOS 16.1.1 imposes a ten-minute limit on receiving AirDrops from non-contacts. In 2023, this change will affect all users worldwide.
• Why care? Apple has restricted AirDrop file sharing in China because protesters will use it to spread anti-government images and messages. For people in other parts of the world, AirDrop’s enhanced privacy will reduce the receipt of unwanted files.
• What to do? Go to Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff on your iOS, iPadOS, or macOS device to make sure AirDrop is limited to your contacts and not turned on for everyone.

Why does iOS 16.1.1 have an AirDrop time limit in China?

On November 9, 2022, Apple released iOS 16.1.1, iPadOS 16.1.1, and macOS Ventura 13.0.1. The release notes for these bug fix updates in other regions do not mention new external user features. However, Bloomberg was quick to notice the new AirDrop restriction affecting Chinese customers who bought their iPhones in the country.

The publication notes that Chinese users are using AirDrop to bypass strict online censorship, allowing people to share anti-government images, videos and web links among themselves during protests. In particular, Chinese protesters used AirDrop to distribute posters against Xi Jinping and the government.

Prior to iOS 16.1.1, Chinese users could make their device visible via AirDrop to other people indefinitely even if they weren’t saved as contacts, but that’s no longer the case. Read: How to fix AirDrop not working on iPhone, iPad and Mac

AirDrop privacy: all or just contacts?

After 10 minutes, AirDrop privacy automatically switches from Everyone to Contacts Only, which restricts AirDrop file sharing to people saved as your contacts in your iPhone address book. As a result, protesters in China will not be able to receive images and other material via AirDrop from a stranger unless they specifically remember to change the AirDrop privacy back to “Everyone.”

Bloomberg notes that Apple will make this change for all users around the world sometime in 2023. Apple hasn’t officially commented on why it limits AirDrop file transfers from people not saved in Contacts to 10 minutes for its customers in China.

The nefarious use of AirDrop

AirDrop is not always used for legitimate file sharing. Taking advantage of the fact that most people don’t bother changing AirDrop’s privacy, pranksters sent unsolicited nudity to viewers, shared pornographic images at events like concerts, and so on. Read: How to prevent AirDrop from converting PNG to JPG

Sometimes these silly pranks can lead to serious consequences, such as plane passengers getting threats on their phones, causing planes to land and other major disruptions. By introducing a time limit, Apple will at least prevent iPhone users from receiving unsolicited AirDrops from anyone indefinitely.