When Apple introduced NameDrop in iOS 17, it instantly became one of those subtle but incredibly useful features people wondered how we ever lived without. Bring two iPhones close together, and — like magic — you can share contact details instantly.

Now, it looks like Google doesn't want Android users left out of the fun. Reports suggest that the company is working on its own version of this seamless contact-sharing experience, potentially called Gesture Exchange.

Let's break down what we know so far.

A Closer Look at Google's New Contact Sharing Feature

According to findings by Android Authority, early traces of this feature appeared in the v25.44.32 beta of Google Play Services. Hidden inside were strings of code referencing something called Gesture Exchange — an NFC-based system designed specifically for exchanging contact details.

Later, in version v25.46.31, the site managed to actually enable a preview of the feature, giving us our first glimpse of how Google imagines this working on Android.

How It Works: The First Screens Revealed

From the early preview screens, Gesture Exchange seems to operate in a clean, straightforward way:

1. You Choose What to Share

The initial screen shows a breakdown of your personal information — phone number, email address, profile photo, and more. Users will be able to select exactly which details they want to share.

A "Receive only" option is also present, which is helpful when you don't want to hand out your details but still want to accept someone else's.

2. Saving Contacts or Starting a Call

The second screenshot shows what the receiving user sees. There's an option to quickly save the details into your contacts, and interestingly, there's also a button that allows you to start a voice or video call directly from that screen.

It's a small design detail, but it makes the feature feel practical and integrated rather than just a novelty.

Is Google Using NFC for the Whole Transfer?

Right now, there's still some mystery around the tech powering Gesture Exchange.

What's unclear:

Apple's NameDrop uses a combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi after the devices detect proximity. Google may follow a similar multi-layer approach, or they might lean more heavily on NFC — something Android devices have widely supported for years.

What Will the Feature Ultimately Be Called?

Even the name is still in question. The code references both Gesture Exchange and Contact Exchange, so it's entirely possible these are placeholders rather than the final branding. Google often experiments with internal names before settling on consumer-facing terminology.

Don't Expect It Too Soon

While it's exciting to see Google working on this, the feature is very much in early development. There's no timeline yet for rollout, and the preview currently lives deep inside beta builds of Play Services.

Still, given how universally loved NameDrop became among iPhone users, it's no surprise that Google wants to bring an equally intuitive, tap-and-share experience to the Android ecosystem.

Once this lands, it could dramatically simplify networking moments — whether you're sharing your number with a colleague, passing your details to a new friend, or exchanging contacts during an event