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'Continuity Activation Tool' Enables Handoff on Older Macs

apologies if this has been addressed - i've tried searching.

i'm on a mid-2011 iMac (May 2011 to be exact). Handoff calls worked totally fine for me in all of the Yosemite betas - I don't even recall having to set anything up, just worked.

With the retail version, I don't have the option in System Prefs - and by the looks of this article, additional hardware is required to make it work, even with this fix!?

How is that possible?
 
alchemistmuffin said:
There's a reason why Apple doesn't have Handoff enabled on capable macs: Encryption.

The 2011 MacBook Air and 2011 Mac Mini has Bluetooth 4.0 LE, but doesn't have the proper chip to help encrypt the handoff signals to limit it to matching devices with matching Apple ID. So while Handoff may work with the enabler, the signal is not encrypted and is very open to attacks.

Without the proper encryption authentication, there are high chance that some non-matching iOS devices nearby may be able to pick up the handoff signal. That can mean disaster in terms of privacy.

(Imagine you were searching XXX content on your mac, but you decided that you may be comfortable watching it on your phone, so you hand it off to your phone. But, since that mac is sending unencrypted handoff signal, junior using his iPad may accidentally see your XXX content if bluetooth is turned on and has the compatible iOS device)

Basically, for handoff to work safely, Bluetooth LE signal has to be encrypted, and Older Macs and USB Bluetooth Dongles don't have proper chip to encrypt to signals

(note that encryption chip I'm talking about is proprietary)
Click to expand...

Sound interesting, but where exactly on the logic board is this mysterious "encryption chip" you are talking about? iFixit confirmed that the MBA 2012 had the same wifi/bt board as the 2011 model. Not just another BT LE capable chip. The exact same.
 
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Great to see that older devices are getting the support but here I can't get the feature to work properly on my iPhone 5S with iOS 8.1. Sadly, its not the case of 'it just works' anymore.
 
I wonder if you can get it to work on non Bluetooth 4 devices by keeping your devices paired and installing some third party software.
 
pedromcm.pm said:
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.
Click to expand...

Management said:
Question, why does Handoff require Bluetooth? Why can't these features just work with WiFi? Seems like WiFi would be better since there would be more bandwidth vs. requiring another radio activated on your mobile device.

From what I understand, the following features only need WiFi. Is this correct?
1) SMS Relay
2) Phone Relay
3) Instant Hotspot
Click to expand...

I believe Instant Hotspot (and Handover) requires Bluetooth 4.0. SMS Relay and Phone Relay work over WiFi. I've tested both SMS and Calling on my early 2011 MBP which was the last model not to ship prior to Bluetooth 4.0 being introduced and can access both the calling and sms functions, but not handover or the hotspot.

As far as Handover is concerned, perhaps its a battery issue due to how bandwidth is consumed. Handover probably is constantly passing state data between devices, so that an application state is always available on the other device. This state might have a bit of data in it depending on what my application session looks like. While SMS and Call relaying requires the devices to know the IP address of another device on the network, they may not consume much data at all until a phone call or SMS is actually made or received. While I don't know the specifics, perhaps the pinging required by the Apple devices to remain aware of each others existence on a network can even be grouped in with existing network traffic required for a device to remain connected to the network. If so, then battery life may only be impacted by increased loads during calls or SMS transfers.

The Hotspot BT4.0 requirement is probably in place since the devices need to be able to find each other if the network itself goes down while remaining power efficient. You don't really want the higher drain Bluetooth 3.0 triggering on devices just because they've left a WiFi network.
 
Is there a good reason this doesn't with with USB Bluetooth 4.0 adapters? Is this just going to take more work, or is it literally impossible for some reason?

Alternatively, if anyone knows what upgrade I'd need for the one and only 13-in aluminum MacBook, I'd consider going that route plus this tool... :)
 
OK, funnily enough, continuity is working better on my 2011 mini than it is on my 2014 rMBP.

It's a bit temperamental on the mini but completely nonfunctional on the rMBP. Bizarre.
 
Plutonius said:
Thank you. Do you then need to run this software to get it to work or will it work with just with the hardware change ?
Click to expand...

If you can get the hardware that's enough on its own. The Bluetooth and wifi module is easy to find. It's the adapter I'm having a hard time tracking down with any degree of certainty.
 
RMo said:
Is there a good reason this doesn't with with USB Bluetooth 4.0 adapters? Is this just going to take more work, or is it literally impossible for some reason?

Alternatively, if anyone knows what upgrade I'd need for the one and only 13-in aluminum MacBook, I'd consider going that route plus this tool... :)
Click to expand...

I just proved that a BT USB Dongle can work, but it has to be one using Apple parts. (or you need to do more kext hacking)

Go a 2010 MBP running Handoff and Airdropped pix from a 5S using USB Dongle and this software tool.
 
Renzatic said:
God forbid one of the wealthiest corporations in the world take the minimum amount of effort required to support three years worth of oh so slightly different hardware with a nice, new software feature.

It's not their fault for dropping support. It's our fault for not buying a Mac every other year.
Click to expand...

The catch is, lure you with a FREE OS upgrade then you upgrade only to find out the shiniest things don't work and you need a new $34325251135 dollar computer to make it all work. They do the same crap with the phones. Business or no business that's shady.
 
B2k1977 said:
The catch is, lure you with a FREE OS upgrade then you upgrade only to find out the shiniest things don't work and you need a new $34325251135 dollar computer to make it all work. They do the same crap with the phones. Business or no business that's shady.
Click to expand...

Technology does not stand still. There is no such thing as future proofing the purchase of a Mac or any other similar electronic device.

Some here act like it is a necessity to upgrade all of their Apple devices every year. Such is not the case. It is merely a self-subscribed preference. And when that preference is challenged by Apple or some other brand that a person may like and be loyal to, the fault is placed on Apple or brand X.

If a person wants to keep up with every new release, he or she can ride that financial merry-go-round as long as they wish. But, they shouldn't complain to some outside party over actions that were taken of their own volition.
 
Renzatic said:
God forbid one of the wealthiest corporations in the world take the minimum amount of effort required to support three years worth of oh so slightly different hardware with a nice, new software feature.

It's not their fault for dropping support. It's our fault for not buying a Mac every other year.
Click to expand...

If you paid $5000+ for an Apple Mac Pro in 2010 and this doesn't work, I would think my gripe is valid. These are not disposable machines thrown in the trash often.

This feature is clearly HALF-BAKED by Apple or worse.

I can't imagine anyone defending Apple here who is of sound mine. Sorry.

And the software hack, I don't recommend for Mac Pro users or I wouldn't be posting this in Mavericks right now. Let's just say it more than didn't work! :-(

----------

If this is so easily possibly from all the success stories, then why didn't Apple invest its billions to do it in seconds?

It's inexcusable. :(
 
Well, if INTEL, would release Broadwell for God sakes I wouldn't have an OLD Mac !!!!!!!! And don't get me started with Skylake!!!
 
HyperZboy said:
If you paid $5000+ for an Apple Mac Pro in 2010 and this doesn't work, I would think my gripe is valid. These are not disposable machines thrown in the trash often.

This feature is clearly HALF-BAKED by Apple or worse.

I can't imagine anyone defending Apple here who is of sound mine. Sorry.

And the software hack, I don't recommend for Mac Pro users or I wouldn't be posting this in Mavericks right now. Let's just say it more than didn't work! :-(

----------

If this is so easily possibly from all the success stories, then why didn't Apple invest its billions to do it in seconds?

It's inexcusable. :(
Click to expand...

The Kext edit isn't necessary for Mac Pros but you do need to update the wifi/bluetooth card along with an adapter.
 
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MacVidCards said:
I just proved that a BT USB Dongle can work, but it has to be one using Apple parts. (or you need to do more kext hacking)

Go a 2010 MBP running Handoff and Airdropped pix from a 5S using USB Dongle and this software tool.
Click to expand...

Whoa, this is huge! How does one get a BT USB Dongle that uses Apple parts?
 
I wonder why they did not build Continuity only based on the wifi network when it's available. Same wifi network and same Apple ID could have acted as a trigger. That way any devices could have worked.
 
MiamiC70 said:
(response about encryption being the reason)

This is complete and utter *********!
Click to expand...
The poster who claimed he thought it was because of encryption has a piece of lab equipment that can read Bluetooth signals over the airwaves. What evidence do you have to back your claim?

----------
raam89 said:
Get over yourself and stop defending a multi-billion dollar business that has over $150b in cash. They purposefully blacklisted 2011 Mac minis and MBA even though their hardware is capable of BTLE( no difference from 2012 models that got these features). The 2011 models even had these features in developer preview and public beta. It was in the final release they removed it. What defense do you have for that?
Click to expand...
Guess I have no defense. You know why they blacklisted certain models and I don't. You win.
 
So I am a bit confused. What exactly does continuity not provide on older computers? I thought it was SMS and phone calls but I get those on my early 2011 MBP. Am I missing something?
 
HyperZboy said:
If you paid $5000+ for an Apple Mac Pro in 2010 and this doesn't work, I would think my gripe is valid. These are not disposable machines thrown in the trash often.

This feature is clearly HALF-BAKED by Apple or worse.

I can't imagine anyone defending Apple here who is of sound mine. Sorry.

And the software hack, I don't recommend for Mac Pro users or I wouldn't be posting this in Mavericks right now. Let's just say it more than didn't work! :-(
Click to expand...

Right now, I'm on the very cusp of going all Apple. There's no doubting the quality of their products, and I very much see the appeal of investing myself fully into the...to abuse an oft abused word...ecosystem. The only two thing keeping me from the retina iMac is me wanting to save up a few more bucks so I can buy it outright, and wanting to see if there any big first-gen bugs pop up after it's been out for a couple of months. When you consider specs, size, and everything together, it's one of the best computers I've seen.

...but it's things like this that have always made me weary of Apple. For all the talk of top notch computers and quality support, they'll occasionally make a move that obviously is only made for their bottom line, without a care for their customers. We all know Apple is a hardware company. They make their money selling you computers, and they'll obviously want you to buy more. That's all well and good. They're a business after all. But hobbling software features for computers that aren't even 3 years old just so they can wave the newest Macs in front of your face like a carrot on a stick isn't the way to go about doing that.

Maybe there is a good reason why Apple decided to nix Handoff for their products that don't support Bluetooth LE. The guy who mentioned battery life above did make a compelling argument. But on the other hand, some of the moves they make, like soldering the ram into the Mac Mini for no other reason than "hell, why not", just seem like a callous disregard to their fanbase for the sake of saving a few bucks.

Apple's so arbitrary with their decisions, it's hard to tell what they're going to do. Like what if the new retina iMac is deemed too slow for OSX 10.13, and I'm suddenly finding myself stuck with a 3 year old $3000 computer that is no longer getting security updates or bug patches. I seriously doubt that'll happen, but...you never know. It gives me and my wallet pause.
 
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saberahul said:
So I am a bit confused. What exactly does continuity not provide on older computers? I thought it was SMS and phone calls but I get those on my early 2011 MBP. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Handoff. Starting an email, having a webpage open, or wanting to send a file or photo from the iPhone 5 (and newer model phones) is not possible, if you have a late 2011 MBP or older Mac or older iPad device.
 
To make mine work (Mid 2011 MBA, with iPhone5 & iPhoneTouch5)

I had to

1. Log out of iCloud on all devices and 2011MBA

2. REBOOT everything

3. Log into iCloud on all devices and 2011 MBA


Interestingly I have two different accounts on my MBA with the same iCloudID and I can only get handoff to work with one of them despite multiple attempts at everything.

Also I had to delete all the previous bluetooth pairings between the MBA and the iPhones before it all started working.


This all feels very alpha quality. Hopefully Apple will get their act together, quit trashing what little good will they have left as a company, stop arbitrarily excluding people, quit with the rather transparent planned obselescence BS, and make it all just work.

Hint Apple: planned obscelesense is tolerable for an 89 cent light bulb.


NOT WITH A FREKING MANY THOUSAND DOLLAR THING OK!!!!!????!!!

YMMV

I'm too sick of the BS right now to try to get it to go on my iP5s - maybe this weekend
 
Renzatic said:
Maybe there is a good reason why Apple decided to nix Handoff for their products that don't support Bluetooth LE. The guy who mentioned battery life above did make a compelling argument. But on the other hand, some of the moves they make, like soldering the ram into the Mac Mini for no other reason than "hell, why not", just seem like a callous disregard to their fanbase for the sake of saving a few bucks.
Click to expand...

There is a reason: a ridiculous obsession with thin, thin, thin. I didn't say it was a good reason...
 
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