How to Get 'Handoff' Working in OS X Yosemite and iOS 8

[IJ Reilly]

In Yosemite it's:

Apple Menu
About this Mac
System Report

Okay, but the other thing is, if you are running Mavericks or earlier, you won't be able to find the information you need this way. In fact the three Bluetooth parameters cited in the article as required to support Handoff won't even show up in the System Report, so it won't help anyone make the decision to update to Yosemite or not.

 

[malexandria]

Not upgrading

If the crap job they did on iTunes 12 is any indication, I'm not moving up to Yosemite. I'm leaning towards going back to Windows for my next machine. My MBP has been really slow lately and I loathe the direction Apple is heading.

 

[MalcolmTucker]

Perhaps a new USB Bluetooth would work; unless Apple disabled USB Bluetooth in 10.10

Step number one - Buy a brand new mac.

There are people who opted to "upgrade" their bluetooth to a USB device; and on 10.9 they worked perfectly.

It'd be interesting to know what kind of chipset the OEM Bluetooth is. But this device at Amazon may fit the bill-

IOGEAR Bluetooth 4.0 USB Micro Adapter (GBU521)


Working fine on my MacBook Pro 6,1 with 10.9.1. Needs Bluetooth Explorer (discussion on where and how to get Bluetooth Explorer is here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5473127?start=0&tstart=0).

 

[mdriftmeyer]

If the crap job they did on iTunes 12 is any indication, I'm not moving up to Yosemite. I'm leaning towards going back to Windows for my next machine. My MBP has been really slow lately and I loathe the direction Apple is heading.

Because Windows is a bastion of quality engineering, what with their perpetual wifi handshaking issues, power on sleep issues, etc

 

[MalcolmTucker]

Because Windows is a bastion of quality engineering, what with their perpetual wifi handshaking issues, power on sleep issues, etc

Meh. A lot of OEMS (HP, Gateway, Toshiba to name a few) have problems like this because they go with cheaper, knock-off spec chips. HP is the worst. I'm glad to see Apple bulldoze their former offices.

When you consider the number of ways you can accomplish the same thing, it can become un-nerving. Take WiFi internet connectivity for example-- there are over 600 companies in the WiFi business, all working on manufacturing and the standard.

What Apple did was develop a platform specification for its OS, OSX. This eliminates variability between vendors, manufacturers, and creates a single standard.

It's similar to the 1990s book titled "Cathedral and the Bazaar". Except in today's marketplace the Cathedral is Apple, and the Bazaar is kind of like Microsoft.

If I had to own a PC again, it'd need to be ACPI compliant and most likely a Dell. With the exception of a few bumps in the road, Dell seems to do one of the better jobs adhering to standards, including quality hardware with support. It seems most everyone else in PC land is looking to boost profits, save 50¢ per shipped unit, (cheaper hardware) rather than focusing on quality and making it easy to maintain the machine.

 

[picsnapr]

Wierd behavior

I've handoff working great between my iPhone 5S and iPad Mini Retina, both running iOS 8.1.
Handoff also works good between the iPad mini Retina and my Macbook Pro Retina 13" (running Yosemite) Late 2013 model. All the pre-requisites are 100% met between all the three devices.
But I can't get the handoff working between the same Macbook and the iPhone!!!
Even tried restarting the iPhone, turning on/off the wifi and bluetooth on both. But when the same Devices both work with the iPad mini, why can't work with each other?
Any clues?

 

[vrungel]

I've handoff working great between my iPhone 5S and iPad Mini Retina, both running iOS 8.1.
Handoff also works good between the iPad mini Retina and my Macbook Pro Retina 13" (running Yosemite) Late 2013 model. All the pre-requisites are 100% met between all the three devices.
But I can't get the handoff working between the same Macbook and the iPhone!!!
Even tried restarting the iPhone, turning on/off the wifi and bluetooth on both. But when the same Devices both work with the iPad mini, why can't work with each other?
Any clues?

I have a feeling it's something on Apple's end as only a couple of days ago the Handoff was working between my iPhone 5S and my late-2013 rMBP (except the iWorks apps). This morning the Handoff was working only from iPhone to Mac. In the evening it works in neither direction. Go figure.

 

[Mashurrab]

I'm having no issues with Handoff, but the settings for calling from my Mac via my iPhone just literally aren't there. I've seen lots of things online about how to set it up with various places telling me to find the "iPhone Cellular Calls" in Settings (iPhone) or FaceTime Preferences (Mac) but this setting isn't there! I live in the UK - is it currently not possible in the UK or something?

Did you buy your phone from UAE, because all these features are disabled there. You can read about in in Apples UAE pages.

 

[PJL500]

Handoff?

'Sounds fishy... .

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Step number one - Buy a brand new mac.

I also need a new iOS device. I have the macs in my signature + 2 iPhone 4Ss and an iPad Air 2... only the iPad Air 2 actually supports Continuity. Been waiting for AT&T to deliver a 6 and a 6+ for 4 weeks as of today - each have estimated deliveries of the next 1-3 weeks.

 

[zs5ak]

mac 2011 handoff not working

hi there i have followed the instructions on the zip file and all lines read ok at the end then my mac reboots however the bluetooth report still has no handoff

Apple Bluetooth Software Version: 4.3.0f10 14890
Hardware, Features, and Settings:
Address: B8-8D-12-06-D7-15
Bluetooth Low Energy Supported: Yes
Handoff Supported: No
Instant Hotspot Supported: No
Manufacturer: Broadcom
Transport: USB
Chipset: Unknown (ffff)
Firmware Version: v147 c5800
Bluetooth Power: Off
Discoverable: Off
Auto Seek Pointing: On
Remote wake: On
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x821F
HCI Version: 0x6
HCI Revision: 0x16A8
LMP Version: 0x6
LMP Subversion: 0x2293
Auto Seek Keyboard: On

 

[73b]

Pretty disappointed in my MacBook Pro. It's slightly more acceptable to make a phone obsolete after 2 years, but I spent $1500 on my MacBook in 2010 and planned on it lasting a while. I've barely been using it over the last year because it doesn't support much and runs very slowly. I don't have the money to replace it (I'm in school, don't have a job), and I would have expected something that costs $1500 to last more than 3 years.

 

[Applefan11]

Handoff working, but personal hotspot still isn't working.

When iOS 8 was out I could use Personal Hotspot perfectly well but now after I upgraded to iOS 8.1 it's not working at all. Anyone else having the same problem?

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Step number one - Buy a brand new mac.

Yup, my phone can handle it, but my iMac is too old.

Then there's the reverse - my wife's iPhone 4S is left out in the cold, with only calling (i.e. using the Mac as a Bluetooth speakerphone.) Yet her MacBook Air is brand new, so could handle it. (No, she wouldn't want to trade her Air for my iMac; and my phone is a work-provided, so I can't trade phones.)

 

[SoAnyway]

Step number one - Buy a brand new mac.

Exactly, considering that Handoff [and Air Drop between Macs and iPhones we're at it] only works with Macs that are 2012 and newer.

Ok, most short sighted stupid Apple decision ever made. Why for the love of anything would they use Bluetooth when Wifi is everywhere and forward and backward compatible?

Did not the Notes app sync between devices over any network connection before Handoff was made a thing?

Just another intentional planned obsolesces to make you buy a new Mac.

Siri could have worked on iPhone 4, all the processing was done in the cloud!

My fanboy status has died and I'm trapped in an ecosystem I can't leave. I feel like Tom Cruise on South Park stuck in the closet.

Someone smart should make a slim profile Bluetooth 4.0 USB adapter for $10 that solves the problem and beats Apple at their stupid game.

100% agree with everything, especially with having handoff work over wifi or Bluetooth in some fashion.

My main computer is a 2011 iMac. It connects to the internet through the Ethernet jack and has Bluetooth 2.0 and plugged into an AC outlet for continuous power. This thing is meant to be a beast and power hog but they bootstrapped some features like Handoff to work with "modern" Macs when a machine like mine can easily utilize the feature.

You're right about how Apple restricted Siri all those years ago to iPhone 4S when the iPhone 4 was more than capable of using Siri. In fact, the iPhone 4 has Voice Control which did everything Siri did on a local (within the iPhone) level.

I get that Apple needs to make money while giving OS X away for free. But bootstrapping certain features to Macs made within the last 18 months is not the best way to go about it. Many of us cannot afford to buy a new Mac every year or so and have 3-5 year upgrade cycles.

 

[ibtrackin]

Try this for Calling featurr

I'm having no issues with Handoff, but the settings for calling from my Mac via my iPhone just literally aren't there. I've seen lots of things online about how to set it up with various places telling me to find the "iPhone Cellular Calls" in Settings (iPhone) or FaceTime Preferences (Mac) but this setting isn't there! I live in the UK - is it currently not possible in the UK or something?

The setting are linked to FaceTime, sign into the same account on all devices, if still not working, sign out and sign back in. If your phone number is checked then you're good to go.

 

[Lrk1981]

Hi I'm running 10.10 on my Mid 2011 iMac i7 with a 6+ running 8.1 and handoff Works no problem I can make and Recive calls, send text and iMessages no issue But I read that my iMac does not have Blutooth 4 So how Come it all works? Obviously I'm not Complaing but I hear some Folk can't get it too work. I also have a 2014 2.8 RMBP which will obviously work

 

[porky2017]

handoff buggy 8.1.2

it was working fine for me in 8.1, since i upgraded my 5s to 8.1.2 it won't work unless i have bluetooth preferences open on my mid 2012 MBA, its so frustrating..

 

[ApplicoInc]

What is Handoff?

We developed a Handoff guide at Applico (applicoinc.com) and thought it might be useful to this thread. Let us know your thoughts! -EZ

http://www.applicoinc.com/blog/handoff/

 

[Saturn007]

This is really sad!

I just tried Handoff for the first time.

The number of steps involved are incredible and the requirement that one be signed into iCloud problematic.

You have to sign into iCloud on both devices; and Notes connecting (which was the first thing I tried) meant having to set up an iCloud email account. Thanks, but no thanks.

In fact, each of the other options-- Reminders, Calendars, Contacts, and Safari required *merging* one's info with iCloud. Again, thanks but no thanks! I want to keep my personal info local.

Worse, you not only have to turn on Wi-fi on both devices, but you have to turn on Bluetooth on both!

Then, you have to putter around watching for icons and tapping them.

They should take a lesson from the Data Viz folks.

Get both devices on the same Wi-fi network and you're all set. Just launch the Docs 2 Go apps and you can transfer docs. I realize that Apple's got something more cooking, but it's the connection I'm talking about.

Why Handoff requires Bluetooth as well as Wi-fi is beyond me.

Why it requires iCloud is beyond me as well.

Apple needs to implement a purely local, i-device to Mac device connection system.

iOS 9, maybe?

 

[Saturn007]

Wanted to follow up to my churlish post.

Just used AirDrop-- now that's more like it!

Easy send and receive of files--smooth as silk.

Now, it is over Bluetooth. Too bad it's not over Wi-fi, which would almost always be on. Have to remember to turn off the BT after file transfers.

Still, pretty spiffy!

 

[StephanieBlackbird]

Hi - I have all the requirements and yet do not have the Handoff option under my Mac settings. Nothing under the most recent.

Apple is heavily pushing its new "Continuity" features in OS X Yosemite that improve cross-platform integration between iOS and the Mac. The most significant of the Continuity features is Handoff, which allows OS X and iOS users to start a task on one device and swap to another one nearby to continue work.

Handoff can be used for a number of different activities, including email, web browsing, messaging, and more. Users can begin composing an email on their iPhone and finish it on their Mac. Maps and websites work in a similar fashion, as users can load up content on one device and look at it on another. Currently, Handoff works with Mail, Safari, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Maps, Messages, Reminders, Calendar, and Contacts. A number of third-party apps including Pixelmator, Wunderlist, PCalc, and Things also contain support for Handoff.

Requirements

You will need iOS 8.1 and OS X Yosemite in order to use Handoff. You also need to make sure that both your Mac and iPhone are logged into the same iCloud account, and check that your Mac supports Handoff. You can check if your Mac is compatible with Handoff by clicking the ? symbol in the top left-hand side of the Menu bar, going to About This Mac, clicking on System Report and clicking on the "Bluetooth" section. You should then see information about whether your system is compatible with Handoff.

Handoff is compatible with a select number of devices running iOS 8, including the iPhone 5 and later, the iPad Air, the iPad Air 2, the iPad 4, all models of the iPad mini, and the fifth-generation iPod Touch.

Handoff is limited to Macs with Bluetooth 4.0, which leaves many older Macs unable to access the new features. Additionally, even though the 2011 MacBook Air and 2011 Mac mini include Bluetooth 4.0, Apple has chosen to make both devices incompatible with OS X Yosemite's Continuity features. To solve this issue, a number of talented members of the MacRumors forums have come up with a set of instructions and a Continuity Activation Tool that should get Continuity working on Macs unable to support the feature.

Setting Up Handoff

1. Turn on Wi-Fi on your iPhone (Settings -> Wi-Fi) and Mac (Menu Bar -> Wi-Fi -> Turn Wi-Fi On.

2. Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone (Settings -> Bluetooth) and Mac (Menu Bar -> Apple -> System Preferences -> Bluetooth -> Turn Bluetooth On).

3. Turn on Handoff on your iPhone (Settings -> General -> Handoff & Suggested Apps -> Turn Handoff On) and Mac (Menu Bar -> Apple -> System Preferences -> General -> Recent Items - > Turn On "Allow Handoff Between this Mac and your iCloud devices")

4. You may now begin using Handoff by launching a compatible app on your Mac or iOS device and swapping to another to see your content. For example, try launching Safari on your Mac and then switch to your iPhone. On your iPhone's lock screen, you should see a small Safari icon in the lower left corner. Slide up to launch Safari, and the iOS app will display the same website as seen on your Mac.

You can also see a Handoff-enabled app through the multitasking switcher by double-pressing your home button and scrolling to the left.

Handoff works in a similar fashion when transitioning from an iOS device to a Mac. On the Mac, a Handoff-compatible app will be displayed on the left-most side of the dock. Clicking on the app in the Mac's dock will load the same content as seen on an iOS device.

Walkthrough Video

Troubleshooting

Since the launch of OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 earlier this month, many users have had issues getting Handoff to work with their devices.

Users on our forums seem to have found that the most common solution is a combination of logging out and back into iCloud on their devices, disabling and enabling Handoff, disabling and enabling Bluetooth, and restarting devices. But even amongst those who found success, it may not last forever. Handoff clearly remains buggy in this early release.

If those steps don't work for you, members on Apple's own support forums have also suggested that deleting Bluetooth preferences in OS X and then restarting Bluetooth can also solve problems with Handoff, but we haven't been able to get that to work on our end.

Any of these steps may help if you are having trouble with activating Handoff on your devices, but ultimately, Apple may have to release an update to allow Handoff to work consistently for everyone.

Article Link: How to Get 'Handoff' Working in OS X Yosemite and iOS 8

 

[Shantiva]

Thanks for easy to follow instructions, but

Turn On "Allow Handoff Between this Mac and your iCloud devices")

doesn't appear... Is all hope lost?

(Running 10.10.5 Yosemite 5yr old Mac. Want to Handoff from a 2014 iPad.)