Apple’s AirDrop has long been one of the company’s most seamless and convenient features, enabling users to share files across Apple devices almost instantly. Android’s Quick Share serves a similar purpose, but Apple’s ecosystem extends the concept further. Features like NameDrop, proximity-based SharePlay, Share Passwords, and other enhancements built on the same underlying technology continue to set AirDrop apart.
First introduced in 2011, AirDrop received a major enhancement with the arrival of NameDrop in iOS 17 (2023). For those unfamiliar, NameDrop allows users to simply bring their iPhones—or even Apple Watches—close together to instantly share contact details. It’s an elegant solution for professional environments such as networking events, where exchanging information quickly and
privately is far more convenient than reading numbers aloud.
Now, it appears Google is developing something similar for Android. According to a report by Android Authority, recent code found within a Google Play Services beta build (v25.44.32) hints at a new feature called “Gesture Exchange.”
<string name="gestureexchange_ndef_aid_description">Gesture Exchange</string>
<string name="gestureexchange_ndef_service_description">Gesture Exchange</string>
—include the acronym “NDEF,” short for “NFC Data Exchange Format.” This suggests the tool could rely on near-field communication for transferring data between nearby devices, much like Apple’s NameDrop.
Further investigation revealed a new “ContactExchangeActivity” component in the same build, reinforcing the theory that Google is working on a NameDrop-style contact-sharing feature. In an even newer build (v25.46.31), this activity can reportedly be enabled, offering a first glimpse at the potential user interface.
Screenshots discovered in the code indicate that users will be able to choose exactly what information they want to share—such as their contact photo, phone number, or email address—before initiating the exchange. The receiving user will then see that information displayed neatly, along with the option to save it directly to their contacts.
If “Gesture Exchange” officially launches, it would mark another instance of Android adopting an Apple-inspired feature, following the recent debut of Calling Cards. Whether Google’s version will match the polish and integration of Apple’s NameDrop remains to be seen—but for users across platforms, it signals an encouraging push toward smarter, more intuitive sharing.
