I'm actually in NYC too. Definitely see tons of Androids here.

I've never seen or heard of people exchanging IG information - is that really a thing? Maybe I'm getting old.

Mainly a Gen Z thing I believe (speaking as a member of said generation). Many people my age see their phone numbers as being more private information that should be given to those you trust, so may not want to give out to someone you just met at a bar for example. Instagram can be used as a sort of barrier. Also, each party gets more insight into the others lives by checking out their Instagram account which is usually interesting information if you're establishing some sort of relationship with another

I'm actually begrudgingly graduating from asking for Instagram usernames to asking for TikTok usernames.

A lot of Gen Z (18-23) are not using their Instagram accounts, or they have so many instagram accounts that they don't check and it is a high probability that you receive their "thirst trap" account where they just collect followers to look at their body and ignore. Not necessarily to consciously ignore, but just never check the messages at all because their personal instagram with their group conversations are elsewhere.

> Many people my age see their phone numbers as being more private information that should be given to those you trust

This is a really relevant factoid against the background of the debate over Signal requiring a phone number to communicate with people. It seems the next generation is likely to look elsewhere if that continues.