If you're a fan of the NameDrop feature that lets you quickly share your contact information with another iPhone user, then we have some great news. The next iOS 17 update will include an upgrade that lets you share movie tickets, boarding passes, and other digital tickets stored in your Apple Wallet.
Once iOS 17.2 update rolls out, sharing via this NameDrop-like feature will be super easy. Just open the Wallet app, tap the ticket or pass you want to share, press your iPhone against the iPhone you're sharing with, and press the Share button that appears on the screen (via MacRumors).
The feature has been in beta testing for a while now via the iOS public testing channel, but when iOS 17.2 launches properly it will become available to all iPhone users (well, those who can run the latest operating system). If you can't upgrade to iOS 17, but the features on offer make you want to, it might be time to get a new best iPhone.
Simple and convenient
The ability to share passes between Apple Wallets isn't new – previously you could share your tickets via email, messages, and regular AirDrop – but this NameDrop-like approach has a few advantages.
First, because you have to physically press your iPhones together, it's easier to understand and control who will and won't receive the file, and to know what's being sent to you. If you've ever tried to share and receive AirDrop files in a public place, you know that it can sometimes become a minefield if you're not careful.
Additionally, this feature doesn't rely on your phone having access to WiFi or your carrier's network, unlike sending via iMessage or email. This means that when you are in line for a concert or at the airport and your signal drops for whatever reason, you can still share the tickets.
When iOS 17.2 arrives, it will not only bring this Wallet update, but the Messages and Weather apps will get improvements, the Journal app will launch, and the iPhone 15 Pro spatial video recording will finally leave early access – giving everyone the chance to record 3D video for the Apple Vision Pro and the Meta Quest 3 if you want to get some work done.