Apple’s iOS 18 Introduces Limited Contact Sharing for Apps

Apple’s latest update to iOS 18 introduces a significant tweak in how users can share their contacts, potentially reshaping the landscape for social apps. Gone are the days of simply handing over your entire address book without a second thought. Now, users can selectively choose individual contacts to share with an app, a change that adds a layer of privacy but could pose challenges for developers seeking to create the next big social platform.

While this move signals Apple’s ongoing commitment to user privacy, it may hinder the growth of new social applications that thrive on extensive networks. Developers may find it increasingly difficult to build robust communities if users are hesitant to show the list of names in their contacts. While it’s still possible to share your whole address book—though that’s strongly discouraged—this change pushes users to think more critically about their data and who they connect with, reinforcing a culture of cautious sharing.