Previously, AirDrop provided by Apple in iOS did not require any verification and was turned on by default, so users in densely populated areas such as subways or buses could directly scan surrounding devices and send files or pictures. Later, based on anti-abuse considerations, Apple set it to turn off reception by default. It is turned on by default only for contacts. Users can also turn on receiving transmissions from everyone but it will automatically turn off after 10 minutes. This can prevent strangers from sending messy content to them.
You can directly send files to existing contacts, that is, the sender is already in the recipient's contact list. In this case, Apple will regard it as an acquaintance, so you can transfer files without additional verification or turning on receiving everyone.
Now Apple is continuing to improve the AirDrop experience. In the latest version of iOS 26.2, Apple has launched an AirDrop verification code mechanism. After being paired with a verification code, unfamiliar devices can pair and transfer files without verification code within 30 days.
In iOS 26.2, if the sender and the receiver are not contacts, when the sender tries to transfer files to the receiver, a verification code will pop up on the receiver. After the receiver tells the sender the verification code and the sender enters it, the sender will be regarded as a whitelisted device, and files can be transferred without verification within 30 days.
The advantage of this approach is that it can avoid abuse caused by frequently turning on everyone's delivery, and it can also solve the transmission problem of non-contacts. Of course, letting users manually enter the verification code is also a compromise, but it will still increase trouble, but it is a last resort due to abuse issues.
Users of devices that have been whitelisted can also be managed in the settings at: Settings, General, AirDrop, Manage known AirDrop contacts. After deleting a specific contact, the next delivery requires re-verification or enabling 10 minutes to receive delivery from everyone.