'Continuity Activation Tool' Enables Handoff on Older Macs

[rdlink]

I'm not one to bash Apple without warrant, but the decision to disable for 2011 MBA and 2011 Mac Mini is just bad form, unless there is a truly good technical reason to do it.

If that's the case I'd expect Apple to post a support article explaining.

 

[Craig J Duffy]

Any idea what Bluetooth and Wi-Fi card I would need to upgrade a 27" Mid 2011 iMac?

 

[Robert.Walter]

I have a 2011 macbook air and I was so disappointed by the fact that I couldn't use the feature I was most excited about. Cannot wait to go home and set my baby up.

With two top-spec 2011 MBA's (purchased in early 2012) in the family we are disappointed in Apple.

Feels like being taken for granted by a greedy or lazy company.

Each time a company does smth like this it leaves a bad memory, makes it harder to recommend that company, and opens up space for competitors.

 

[InfoTime]

:-/ Even with hardware updates it seems my iMac is a single generation too old.

Oh well, I'll probably replace it next year (sometime after it officially becomes obsolete on April 28th, 2015).

I think it's time you changed your signature line then

Don't tell me Macs don't last: 2007 iMac, 2007 Mac Mini, 2008 MacBook Air, all Vintage.

 

[ryanmcv]

Where's the best place to buy the Broadcom chip (BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX)? I see one on eBay, but I just want to make sure that will work with my Early 2011 MBP.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I'm not one to bash Apple without warrant, but the decision to disable for 2011 MBA and 2011 Mac Mini is just bad form, unless there is a truly good technical reason to do it.

If that's the case I'd expect Apple to post a support article explaining.

We have thoughts and expectations similar to yours.

 

[Deuce2]

I can't seem to find any suggested hardware to buy in the linked article to enable continuity features on iMacs. I have a late 2009 iMac 21.5" and would love to enable continuity features on it but don't know what model of bluetooth/wireless card to purchase I realise it's a 5 year old machine but it still works as well as it always has, anyone have any suggestions?!?!?!

The article references another discussion thread where the actual hardware is specified. See: https://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=20124161

 

[Noiseboy]

Does anyone know how much it would cost to replace a wireless card in my 2009 MBP 17"? If Apple would build a new 17" I would have one in a heartbeat but it doesn't appear to be on the cards any time soon.

 

[cycledance]

continuity enables handoff. why not just call it one of that? steve jobs...
whatever. i didn't believe it at first but apple really isn't the same anymore.

 

[bluespark]

Been seeing some traffic on this. Looking forward to trying on my mid 2011 Mac Mini. My only concern is that later patches may break this, much like some of the tricks for TRIM support, and other Grey hardware.

Will have to watch The threads here, and in the OSX86 communities.


The no, indicates no hardware changes are required, the header defined that in the chart.

He got that; his point was that the chart was flawed in precisely this manner.

 

[justperry]

If Apple enabled handoff on iPhone 4s that would be great..

^^This, but don't bet on that, think we have to wait for a jailbreak.

 

[InfoTime]

Please stop with all the crying about it not working on older Macs and that Apple's doing it on purpose to make more money. Duh - they're a business and the objective is to make money.

There's a reason we all love our Macs - they simply work better than Windows PCs. And its decisions like these, to only support recent generations of hardware with a limited set of cards and drivers, that make our computers work better. Trying to make Continuity work on that much wider range of systems would have added to the development and testing costs, made it take longer, bloated the code and jammed the support phone lines. Plus I'd bet the feature would have not worked as well for everyone including those with the officially supported machines.

Both of my Macs don't aren't supported but I'm OK with it. It's not going to stop me from trying these hacks though

 

[StarManta]

Worked! Apparently my 2012 MBA was somehow on the blacklist.

Grrruh. That should not have been necessary, Apple. >:|

 

[bpeeps]

Can't believe they crippled capable older devices on purpose. Also not allowing them to function with Bluetooth 4.0 adapters... But yeah I have Bluetooth shut off all the time, yet I still get annoying phone calls on my Mac because it works through Wi-Fi instead.

Glad this hack was released for other users.

Continuity allows you to use your Mac for iPhone features specifically done on your phone, like receiving/making phone calls and text messages. This is through the use of WiFi. Handoff allows you to start a document or application on your iPad and then hand it over to your Mac to complete. This is through the use of Bluetooth 4.0.

That's the main difference between the two and why you have continuity features, but not handoff.

 

[frndlygh0st]

I have an Early 2011 MacBook Pro, and this does nothing to add back the Handoff options for me. Continuity worked since day one, without me even knowing; Handoff doesn't, and it saddens me that the model after Late 2011 MacBook Pro everything works.

 

[emir]

my 2010 15" macbook pro is working to make and receive calls/sms with iPhone 6 since I updated out of the box no additional things needed to be done.

I guess this is just for continuing to use applications (safari on iPhone, continue on Mac) Also for that case I think I need a new wireless card which costs $50+ which is just not worth it IMHO. Call making "is" the most vital feature IMHO

 

[borostef]

Did not work on my Mid 2011 Mini... It says something like:"Not OK, system is protected against kext changes, reboot and run the script again..." I rebooted, run the script again, but it still says that...

 

[odditie]

Users should exercise caution when using the Continuity Activation Tool, as it moves around low level files and there's a possibility it could cause problems. A backup is recommended before attempting to install the tool.

This link needs to be taken down or noted as NSFW

 

[Stella]

Are there any installation guides to replace the BT card for Macbook Pro 2011?

 

[bpeeps]

This is such a horrible chart! 'No' actually means 'Yes - this device works'

(The macbook airs and mac minis mid-2011 WORK with continuity)

The "no" is referring to needing a hardware change, not if it will work. Every Mac model on the chart works. The Mac models not listed on the chart, do not. Read.

 

[Deuce2]

Any idea what Bluetooth and Wi-Fi card I would need to upgrade a 27" Mid 2011 iMac?

See my post above, although I did not see hardware for your machine specified. I did find a replacement bluetooth card for my mid 2010 MacBook Pro on Amazon. HTH

 

[mdelvecchio]

What is the actual "limitation"? What is Apple's justification for not allowing this out of the box on those models? I have a 2011 MBAir.

Is this a dick move like not putting 2 GB of RAM on new iPhones, 16 GB of storage, etc.?

1gb ram on the phone wasn't a "jerk" move...it's been detailed how extra ram uses more energy, which means more battery. on a phone few have that many tabs open so it's not as big a deal. which is why the new iPads have the added ram. they'll probably add more to the phone next year, and all the components and OS will be even more efficient, negating the power cost.

 

[Recognition]

Worked!

MBA mid 2011,

Also enables Airdrop between OS X and iOS!! so happy that works now!

Thank you people who made this!

 

[elmateo487]

I'm sad there doesn't seem to be a good reason it's not supported.

There is a good reason.... bluetooth low energy.

 

[0098386]

Trying to make Continuity work on that much wider range of systems would have added to the development and testing costs, made it take longer, bloated the code and jammed the support phone lines.

Yeah, god forbid the richest tech company in the world would go be financially crippled by expanding support to other devices.