Apple is working on a new feature that will allow users to keep AirDrop pairing active between devices for up to 30 days. Here are the details.
New setting may offer more privacy flexibility
With iOS 26.2 developer beta 1 released earlier today, Apple appears to be working on giving users more control over who can send them files via AirDrop, regardless of whether the sender is a known contact or not.
Currently, AirDrop offers three visibility settings:
- Receiving Off
- Contacts Only
- Everyone for 10 minutes
Based on code reviewed by 9to5Mac, Apple seems to be working on a new option that will let users sync their devices for AirDrop through a PIN, in which case they “will be able to find each other in AirDrop when nearby for the next 30 days.”
This suggests that users will be able to pair two devices by entering a short PIN, allowing them to remain visible to one another in AirDrop for the next month, without needing to switch back to “Everyone for 10 minutes.”
The feature, which is not immediately available for use on iOS 26.2 beta 1 and may still change, will let users change this permission in Settings.
Throughout the years, Apple has worked to improve AirDrop privacy and mitigate problems caused by unwanted AirDrop transmission requests. This feature appears to be a continuation of that process, whether it comes as a fourth option, or as part of a broader overhaul of AirDrop permissions.
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