AirDrop PIN Pairing Arrives: New iOS Beta Allows 30-Day File Sharing Without Contacts

Apple has, for various reasons, adjusted AirDrop so that it now defaults to receiving content only from contacts, with a manual enabling option allowing file transfers from strangers for up to ten minutes before reverting to contacts-only. The company has introduced PIN-based pairing in the iOS 26.2 beta to address this, permitting two devices to connect freely for the next thirty days once a PIN is entered.

Despite the convenience of the thirty-day trust window, the feature is still early in development, as there is, as of iOS 26.2 beta 3, no interface to generate a PIN code. When initiating a connection, users verify and enter a PIN to complete pairing, and after pairing, no further authentication is required for the 30-day period.

This approach aims to reduce friction when sharing files between colleagues, friends and other familiar users, though it remains to be seen how the feature will evolve before the official release of iOS 26.2. 19 November 2025.