airdrop "contacts only" appears stranger in my receiving network

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Level 1

9 points

airdrop "contacts only" appears stranger in my receiving network

This is disturbing on so many levels. I was using airdrop to transfer files between my macbook and my iPhone in my apartment. My airdrop is always on "contacts only" and never "everyone". Yesterday I found out that there is someone else's iPad whose name I have never heard of appeared in my airdrop receiving network, but I am definitely sure that he is a total stranger. I even searched my hundreds of contact list shared via iCloud to be sure. But this guy just appears nowhere and won't go away. Knowing that a complete stranger could be sending or receiving my files and maybe somehow get to my data is creepy. Can anyone help to explain this? Or better, is there a way to block certain contact on your "contacts only" network? Thanks!

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)

Posted on Feb 15, 2017 5:05 PM

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Answer 1

nasredin

Level 1

15 points

Jul 18, 2017 11:26 PM in response to darren.s

Hello,

but why i can't disable to show them? I don't want see people from my neighborhood, they are strangers to me. I can't walk over all people in my neghborhood and tell them, pls set your airdrop non-public,i don't know them and i don't know what flat they living at 🙂

hm?

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Answer 2

darren.s

Community Specialist

Feb 16, 2017 3:35 PM in response to FinnChk

Hello FinnChk,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

I see that you are concerned by seeing an unknown device in your AirDrop receiving options, even though you have set your option to "Contacts Only". Take a look at the following support article for additional clarification on AirDrop: Share content with AirDrop on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

First, the "Contact Only" setting is for who can see your device, not what devices you can see. Take a look at this:

Set your AirDrop receiving options

Use Control Center to choose who can see your device in AirDrop and send you content.

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center.

Tap AirDrop.

Choose one of these options:

Receiving Off: You won't receive AirDrop requests.

Contacts Only: Only your contacts can see your device.

Everyone: All nearby iOS devices using AirDrop can see your device.

Second, what you are seeing is what other devices are within range and have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth turned on and you could choose to share with. It is probably a neighbor who hasn't made the same "Contacts Only" selection that you have. They wouldn't be able to get onto your device or receive anything from you unless you send it to them.

Best regards.

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