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Google Tests NFC-Style Contact Sharing for Android in Play Services Beta

APK teardowns point to an unannounced feature featuring a basic contact card interface with no release timeline.

Overview

  • Internal labels "Gesture Exchange" and "Contact Exchange" surfaced in Google Play Services betas v25.44.32 and v25.46.31.
  • Researchers enabled a rudimentary pop-up showing share fields such as photo, phone number, and email alongside a Receive only option.
  • Code strings include "ndef," suggesting NFC initiation, while any handoff to Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi remains unconfirmed.
  • The capability lives inside Play Services, signaling a possible rollout via updates or Feature Drops rather than a full OS upgrade, though nothing is announced.
  • Reports cite Apple’s NameDrop as the model and note prior privacy concerns and lukewarm uptake that could influence Google’s approach.