Applicable in all countries with iOS 16.2
Apple’s AirDrop time limit for iPhone users in China will be implemented in all countries with the iOS 16.2 update. The time to receive files from anyone via AirDrop will be limited to 10 minutes. Currently in iOS 16.2 developer beta, when AirDrop is set to Everyone, the 10 minutes option also appears.
As you know, AirDrop offers three options for sharing and receiving content. Receive is turned off, turning off the file sharing feature. Contacts only ensures that the user only receives content from the contacts in their contacts. Everyone with a 10-minute limit means anyone with an Apple device can receive content via AirDrop. Before that change was applied, the Everyone setting was permanent unless the user changed it.
Apple implemented this change because AirDrop is being used outside of its intended use in China. The company didn’t announce the change when it first implemented it, and didn’t make any public announcements until it said it would apply outside of China.