React Native broadcast and discover nearby devices

First off: This is more of a logical question than a code-specific question.

I am trying to create a view similar to the iOS AirDrop view where users can see other users. This means, every user needs to broadcast/advertise their custom username, which can be seen by all other nearby users that scan the area.

I have tried using react-native-ble-plx, since I read on the Apple developer forum that iPhones can act as BLE (bluetooth low energy) peripherals. (Also, I read that newer Android devices support this as well)

I've tried the following:

import ble, { BleManager, Characteristic } from 'react-native-ble-plx';// ...const bleManager = new BleManager();bleManager.startDeviceScan(null, null, async (e, d) => {    if (e) console.log(`BT Error: ${JSON.stringify(e)}`);    if (d && d.id && d.isConnectable) {        console.log(`Connecting to: ${d.id} ('${d.name}')...`);        const device = await d.connect();        const services = await device.services();        console.log('services: ', services.join(', '));        const characteristic = await device.writeCharacteristicWithResponseForService(BLE_SERVICE_UUID, BLE_SERVICE_UUID, '123');        console.log(`Characteristics: ${JSON.stringify(characteristic)}`);    }});

But I haven't found a way to broadcast a value which others can read, is that even possible with BLE?

I've also looked into beacons (specifically react-native-beacons-manager), but I'm not sure if that is what I want since an Android/iOS phone is not a 'beacon'..

So my question is: Are there technologies/libraries that allow broadcasting of a message (my custom username) which others can see? Ideally I want to communicate between them, like exchanging a token, but that's not a requirement.

I'd appreciate any help or pointings into the right direction here, thanks!