Do you have to turn Bluetooth on for Handoff between iOS devices?

[warrior30]

Can someone confirm whether you definitely need Bluetooth turned on both iOS devices to get handoff to work?

I've read the pre-condition is that it has to be on the same WIFI network AND Bluetooth turned on, I would have thought it would be either or? Why does it need both?

 

[ZEEN0j]

I believe it uses low power Bluetooth to find other devices nearby. But the actual transfer of data is through wifi. I think airdrop works the same way.

 

[warrior30]

I believe it uses low power Bluetooth to find other devices nearby. But the actual transfer of data is through wifi. I think airdrop works the same way.

That does make sense, thanks for that. Im just worried about the power consumption of the low power Bluetooth, even at low power is it eating a significant amount? Reason I'm asking is that you are likely to either leave it off or switch it on permanently as it defeats the point of convenience to have to switch it on everytime you want a handoff.

I think I'll be sticking with it off for the time being.

 

[ZEEN0j]

Bluetooth LE uses very little power. I haven't noticed any drain on my phone. Same as having wifi on all the time.

 

[warrior30]

Bluetooth LE uses very little power. I haven't noticed any drain on my phone. Same as having wifi on all the time.

Thanks for that. So is Bluetooth always in LE mode? Or does it go into 'full power' mode for normal device connections (e.g. headsets) when required? If it does switch, how can we tell which mode it's on?

 

[Armen]

I keep Bluetooth on all day with bluetooth headphones connected. I think you're overthinking it.

 

[ZEEN0j]

Not entirely sure. But when on but not connected the icon by the clock is grayed out. What I don't know is if it's "off" or in LE mode. When connected to something it's no longer grayed out.

 

[,,,]

You actually need Bluetooth on but NOT wifi (on the iPhone end). This is for using handoff with Safari, I don't know about other apps. Also call forwarding won't work unless you have wifi on for both devices.