A change within the iOS 16.1.1 replace for Chinese language customers is popping some heads. Apple is limiting the “Everybody” choice in AirDrop to 10 minutes on iPhones bought in mainland China, in keeping with on-line person experiences. Meaning folks can not maintain their Airdrop on for an infinite time, together with for strangers and contacts.

Some argue that this function ought to have lengthy been an choice for all Apple customers — generally one simply forgets to modify Airdrop off and find yourself with unsolicited content material from unknown customers — however others interpret the choice as Apple’s response to current incidents in China.

Airdrop, which makes use of Bluetooth Low Vitality and peer-to-peer wifi know-how to allow instantaneous file transferring, stays one of many few uncensored communication mediums in China, which is why folks had been utilizing the function to share politically delicate content material with others in current weeks because the nation’s high management reshuffled.

Regardless of the rise of native rivals like Huawei and Oppo, Apple has managed to carry onto its dominance in China, particularly amongst extra prosperous demographics. Within the second quarter, iPhones accounted for 13% of handset shipments in China, in keeping with Counterpoint’s analysis, down from 18% and 22% in Q1 and This fall respectively.

It’s commonplace for Apple to introduce region-specific restrictions to abide by native rules. In EU nations, for instance, customers can’t exceed the EU Quantity Stage because of listening to safety requirements. In China, Apple has a historical past of making use of extra stringent guidelines on content-related companies, together with video games and podcasts, a intently watched space by the native authorities.