NIX Solutions: iOS 18’s Contact Sharing Update Impacts Apps

iOS 18 introduces many major updates, from enhanced customization tools to improvements in apps like Photos, Notes, and Messages. Apple Intelligence features are also on the horizon. However, one seemingly small change is sparking concern in the world of social apps, as it directly impacts how these apps handle user privacy.

With iOS 18, Apple has made key changes to how apps access your contacts. In the past, social platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp would request access to your full contacts list, leaving users with the simple choice to grant or deny it. Now, things have become more refined. After updating to iOS 18, users can specify which contacts they want to share, offering a greater level of control over their data.

NIX Solutions

Impact on Social Apps

Although this change seems like a positive step towards better privacy, it has raised concerns among developers. According to a New York Times report, the shift in permissions could pose significant challenges for social apps, particularly newer platforms looking to carve out their place in a competitive market.

Kevin Roose, a writer for the New York Times, interviewed startup founder Nikita Beer, who shared insights from the companies he advises. Beer noted that after iOS 18 was released, many apps experienced a sharp decline in contact sharing, with some seeing a 25% increase in users sharing just 10 or fewer contacts. This drop, while seemingly small, could be detrimental for social apps that rely on seamless user connections.

For established platforms like Facebook, early success was tied to users connecting with friends shortly after signing up. In Facebook’s case, users who added seven friends within 10 days were more likely to stay on the platform. For newer social apps, limited contact sharing could be the difference between growth and failure.

Striking a Balance

While the change in contact sharing permissions makes sense from a privacy perspective, it may create unintended hurdles for new social platforms. Competing in a market dominated by giants like Meta and TikTok is already tough, and adding extra friction to user onboarding may give an advantage to established players, notes NIX Solutions.

That said, Apple is unlikely to reverse this update. While some tweaks to the permissions process could make it easier for users to manage contacts, the shift towards transparency and user control remains a step in the right direction.

We’ll keep you updated if there are any further changes to this feature in iOS 18.