Google’s Answer for NameDrop could be coming to Android soon

Android Authority reportedly spotted that Google is working on a NameDrop-like feature for Android.

To add some context to what NameDrop is, iOS users can drop the top of their phone to Another person's iPhone or Apple Watch which runs an animation and allows them to choose whether to share their phone number or email address. There are also options to send or only receive the other person's contact information.

Returning to Android, it was discovered that the previous version of Google Play Services (beta v25.44.32) contained strings related to “Gesture Sharing”. In addition to this, some of the lines include “ndef” which Android authority the notes can most likely be translated as “NFC Data Interchange Format”. Gesture sharing code has also been discovered, which includes a new action called “Contacts Sharing Action”.

Thanks to the latest Google Play Services (v25.46.31) Android Authority managed to enable one of the Contact Exchange actions to see what Contact Exchange would look like in Android.

Judging by some early screenshots, a pop-up window appears at the bottom (unlike animation Apple, which takes up most of the screen) with tiles that let you choose whether you want to share your photo, phone number or email address. As with NameDrop, there are options at the bottom to let you share your information or just receive it. The second screenshot shows what it will look like when you click the Receive Only button.

It was noted that it is too early to talk about what the technology will be. The most likely answer would be NFC, but Android Authority suggests whether it will be used more as a “handshake” to initiate interaction before switching to Bluetooth/WiFi, or whether it will stick with NFC throughout the process.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Android Authority