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'Continuity Activation Tool' Enables Handoff on Older Macs

I did the hack manually on my 2011 MBA yesterday, works perfectly and also enables AirDrop from iOS and vice versa.

I'd love to know why Apple disabled this, makes no sense.
 
hack the mac :)

this is similar to JB your iPhone isn't it.

Company A says, "You can't do this"

Public responds with a wealthy "Yes..we can." :D

Probably the same command that can also be used for different legitimate purposes... :rolleyes:


That's usually how it is.
 
In support of my point about why Apple didn't enable the feature even though MR readers think that they could have:

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/20158048/

I've followed all the steps with my Macbook Air 2011, twice. Been in IT for 30 years, so no problem with instructions. The system report now shows Bt LE, Handoff supported & Instant Hotspot supported as all Yes. So all good there.

Hand off works sporadically, not consistent. But biggest issue is I can no longer tether my iPhone 6+ via Wifi. Does anyone have any ideas why?

Reverting back to the original Kext's fixes the tethering, but applying the mods again kills it.
Click to expand...
 
This is such *********. I just don't know Apple any more. I'd love to hear their response as to why they disabled it on seemingly perfectly capable hardware.

I pretty much hate the company now.
 
I checked out the instructions on replacing the wireless card in my MacBook Pro and decided it's not worth it.

At least I have a working computer even if it doesn't have continuity :D.

I didn't see any mention on older Mac Pros ?
 
Remember when the option for AirPlay Display feature was added in the new OS for iMacs or Mac Book Pros but only available for later models? I can never forget the drama about that, it is pretty much the same thing here Apple just wants people to get new hardware.


The rule for iMac or Mac Book Pros: Hardware no more than 4 years after that must get a new iMac or Mac Book. The option for upgrading parts I would not play with it if your extended warranty is burned.


iPhone: No more than 2 years if you want to have the latest features.
 
Nice to see users take this into their own hands and "fix" it...

Not allowing these other Bluetooth 4.0 Apple devices to use this was really dumb on Apple's part.

schmidt65 said:
For a mid-2011 iMac (27"), what wifi & Bluetooth card is needed to get this working?
Click to expand...

Have one myself, very interesting question....
 
Mid-2011 Macbook Air -- Success!!

This worked, but for me it gave me an error saying that kext wasn't supported and to reboot, and after hitting a key it took 3-4 minutes before it FINALLY rebooted. Then ran the script again and it ran successfully, and I repaired permissions, signed out/in iCloud, enabled handoff and did the same on the iPhone and now everything is perfect.

Hope this helps anyone else that was as impatient as I was and kept rebooting the system manually.
 
I was REALLY disappointed that my mid-2011 iMac didn't have the right Bluetooth to use this. It's kind of BS since I'm not looking to get rid of my iMac just yet but I guess I can live without until I buy a new Mac.
 
Seems like a fun small project for the enthusiasts. Perhaps someone should start a guide on how to replace the physical parts if needed. Certainly an adapter on a 17" MB Pro is different than on a 15" Pro.
 
Weird. My Macbook Pro is a late 2011 and it has worked with Continuity since I began testing Yosemite earlier this year. Currently running the public release (non-beta, final) and it's still working. :D
 
Plutonius said:
I checked out the instructions on replacing the wireless card in my MacBook Pro and decided it's not worth it.

At least I have a working computer even if it doesn't have continuity :D.

I didn't see any mention on older Mac Pros ?
Click to expand...

You can get Mac Pros to work with a qualifying MacBook Pro module and a special adapter to convert it to mini pci-e. Have a look.

That said I'm looking forward to supported hardware to expand so that we don't have to chase down parts for options like this.
 
Well Ebay is selling out of BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX real fast. Got mine ordered. Now I can keep my early 2011 15" Macbook Pro running until TB3 comes to Macbook Pros (next year hopefully). Still missing USB 3.0 though:(
 
Handoff on Order Macs

I have a Mid 2011 IMac and it has bluetooth 4.0 on it and it does not work with handoff. where can I get the activation tool ?:)
 
OMG, this was not just posted! People will read this and think they can just swap their AirPort card.:rolleyes:
rednaxela1111 said:
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?!?!?! :confused:
Click to expand...
ryanmcv said:
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.
Click to expand...
Deuce2 said:
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
Click to expand...
Before you order that card:

This was not well written, you can't just get a BT card and swap it out like RAM. The BT card is buried inside things, to where you need to remove the display to get to it. If you're not a technician, you're not likely going to have the patience to do this.

• Changing out the card in my mid-2010 MBP sounds great.:D Buying a new card is one thing. Looking at detailed instructions on ifixit, how to get to the AirPort (BT/wifi) card? PLUS, the replacement card is not an exact fit, needs custom install. Sounds too involved with tiny screws and stuff. Most people will not be happy about this. :( https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+AirPort+Card+Replacement/6024

I can't find the thread right now, but, anything older than 2011, the new AirPort card has different connections and will be a custom fit. Because of this, I'm just not going to do it. This has been the most reliable Mac I've owned, not going to mess with it.

So, don't just buy the card thinking this will be easy.

Buyer beware.
 
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CrazyForApple said:
I was REALLY disappointed that my mid-2011 iMac didn't have the right Bluetooth to use this. It's kind of BS since I'm not looking to get rid of my iMac just yet but I guess I can live without until I buy a new Mac.
Click to expand...



If I were you which I am going to do the same since I have the same model iMac as yours I am going to wait for a while when more models of a 5K iMacs are available maybe for 21.5 inch iMac.


The new 5K iMac is nice but I hear the hardware is not so great for a 5K, so we got a long wait.

----------
benji888 said:
OMG, this was not just posted! People will read this and think they can just swap their AirPort card.:rolleyes:



Before you order that card:

This was not well written, you can't just get a BT card and swap it out like RAM. The BT card is buried inside things, to where you need to remove the display to get to it. If you're not a technician, you're not likely going to have the patience to do this.

• Changing out the card in my mid-2010 MBP sounds great.:D Finding the card is one thing. Looking at detailed instructions on ifixit, how to get to the AirPort (BT/wifi) card? PLUS, the replacement card is not an exact fit, needs custom install. Sounds too involved with tiny screws and stuff. Most people will not be happy about this. :( https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+AirPort+Card+Replacement/6024

I can't find the thread right now, but, anything older than 2011, the new AirPort card has different connections and will be a custom fit. Because of this, I'm just not going to do it. This has been the most reliable Mac I've owned, not going to mess with it.

So, don't just buy the card thinking this will be easy.

Buyer beware.
Click to expand...



Correct, upgrading a Bluetooth is not as easy changing a RAM or Memory on a Mac and as for me this is why I will not bother playing with suck that this feature is not on my mid-2011 iMac but I do not screw up my iMac either since no more warranty.
 
benji888 said:
OMG, this was not just posted! People will read this and think they can just swap their AirPort card.:rolleyes:



Before you order that card:

This was not well written, you can't just get a BT card and swap it out like RAM. The BT card is buried inside things, to where you need to remove the display to get to it. If you're not a technician, you're not likely going to have the patience to do this.

• Changing out the card in my mid-2010 MBP sounds great.:D Finding the card is one thing. Looking at detailed instructions on ifixit, how to get to the AirPort (BT/wifi) card? PLUS, the replacement card is not an exact fit, needs custom install. Sounds too involved with tiny screws and stuff. Most people will not be happy about this. :( https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+AirPort+Card+Replacement/6024

I can't find the thread right now, but, anything older than 2011, the new AirPort card has different connections and will be a custom fit. Because of this, I'm just not going to do it. This has been the most reliable Mac I've owned, not going to mess with it.

So, don't just buy the card thinking this will be easy.

Buyer beware.
Click to expand...

AND:

Beware

People should also be made aware that if you reset your PRAM it will revert the Mac to defaults, which means the kext Dev Mode will be set to "0", this means the System will not load the Kexts which have been modified, which means you probably will loose both WIFI and BT!
 
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