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

[MacRumors]

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

 

[macintologist]

Does this work in corporate wifi environments (802.1x) where multicasting, mDNS and Bonjour are all blocked from the network?

 

[Gogol]

It is not neccessary to turn on WiFi on a Mac. It is enough when they are on the same subnet.

 

[Kissaragi]

Step number one - Buy a brand new mac.

 

[inator]

Phone Call Handoff both directions?

I have handoff working from Mac to iPhone, but how do I go from iPhone to Mac? Is that supported? I don't get the icon next to the dock as I do with other app handoffs.

 

[nickbroadhead]

Phone calls from Mac via iPhone issues

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?

 

[McGiord]

When will they release the guide to show us how to avoid draining the battery of non new iOS devices????

 

[enigma2118]

Really wish Handoff would let you log into any iCloud account, independent of the iCloud account signed in under System Preferences iCloud, much like how Messages lets you log into a separate iCloud account.

Same with the ability to make cell phone calls with your mac through your iPhone.

 

[CodexMonkey]

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?

I’m in the UK and I followed this: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/10/22/how-to-iphone-calls-os-x-yosemite/ It worked for me.

EDIT: Remember you need to open the FaceTime App on the Mac to get to FaceTime preferences - it’s not in System Preferences.

 

[sshambles]

Also need an iPad 4 or higher.

iPad 3, you've served me well - time for an upgrade!

 

[WaxedJacket]

I got mine working thanks to that thread and the "hack".

I own a late 2011 MacBook Air and I have all the right hardware to get this to work. Why Apple omitted this model is beyond me.

 

[Bahamut Eos]

I’m in the UK and I followed this: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/10/22/how-to-iphone-calls-os-x-yosemite/ It worked for me.

EDIT: Remember you need to open the FaceTime App on the Mac to get to FaceTime preferences - it’s not in System Preferences.

Is your ISO device upgraded to 8.1 (Not 8.0.2) I was having that trouble a few days ago and a lot of options weren't showing up for me (specifically the SMS functions) until I upgraded to 8.1

I'm in USA though.

 

[nsfw]

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?

I live in the States with a 2012 mac mini and an iphone 6 and I'm in the same boat. I can only handoff one way.

 

[Bahamut Eos]

Also need an iPad 4 or higher.

iPad 3, you've served me well - time for an upgrade!

Works on my Gen 1 iPad mini. I was worried for a moment.

 

[CodexMonkey]

Is your ISO device upgraded to 8.1 (Not 8.0.2) I was having that trouble a few days ago and a lot of options weren't showing up for me (specifically the SMS functions) until I upgraded to 8.1

I'm in USA though.

Yes, I’m on 8.1 too.

 

[MasterHowl]

Does Handoff work with a 4S? Can't seem to get it to work on mine.

 

[sshambles]

Works on my Gen 1 iPad mini. I was worried for a moment.

Lucky you!

FYI (everyone)
Continuity features are available on iPhone 5 or later, iPad (4th generation) or later, iPad mini or later and iPod touch (5th generation) - basically anything with Bluetooth 4.

 

[dannys1]

I honestly wouldn't bother with any of the elaborate troubleshooting tips, i've tried them all - at best handoff will work for a short time, just like air drop, just like automatic hotspots. Then it wont and you'll be back to resetting PRAM, deleting preferences.

I've come to the conclusion its just a very buggy feature that needs improvements from Apple.

 

[g13]

Trouble Using Continuity Features

Hi Everyone,
I'm also having problems using the continuity features. I am at University in the UK. We use a network called 'eduroam.' I can't use Handoff or calling from a Mac as it always says that my Mac and iPhone are not connected on the same Wifi network...when they are!
Why is this and how can it be fixed? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
g13

 

[mainstreetmark]

For such a complicated thing to implement, I find this works remarkably well. Apple has had some strange implementation issues recently, but this Handoff thing seems to work every time. I appear only to have a need to exchange (or demonstrate, really) the Safari handoff. iChat won't copy the currently typed message, but it does send over the conversation (though ,that's already online?).. It's a very neat idea, and it appears to work quite well.

I mean, so many things can go wrong with this concept. Apple has a tough time syncing podcasts these days, but syncing unsaved documents to similar, yet unique, programs is surprisingly operational.

Can my Mac answer phonecalls? 100% of the time, though with an uncomfortable delay
Can my Mac answer non-iPhone texts? Yes!
Can I share browser activity between the two? Instantly!
Does iTunes sync wirelessly? Remarkably, yes!
Does iCloud operate like Dropbox? Mostly..., though it wasn't designed to be identical
Can it sync podcasts? Nope. Podcast syncing is not supported.

Overall, I like it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hi Everyone,
I'm also having problems using the continuity features. I am at University in the UK. We use a network called 'eduroam.' I can't use Handoff or calling from a Mac as it always says that my Mac and iPhone are not connected on the same Wifi network...when they are!
Why is this and how can it be fixed? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
g13

There is a thread on the forum about this very topic. Do a search for "eduroam" and you should see it.

 

[KieranDotW]

How much of a toll will turning on bluetooth have on battery life? I usually keep it off on both my phone and my Mac.

 

[sundog925]

Richard is my name...#

 

[darkslide29]

I have handoff working from Mac to iPhone, but how do I go from iPhone to Mac? Is that supported? I don't get the icon next to the dock as I do with other app handoffs.

I live in the States with a 2012 mac mini and an iphone 6 and I'm in the same boat. I can only handoff one way.

I had the same issue with my Mac Mini and iPhone 6. I could only hand off one way. But after turning handoff off on both devices, power resetting both devices, turning handoff on on both devices, and power resetting again, I got it to work. I can handoff both ways now.
I don't know what fixed it and if all my steps are necessary, but now I'm afraid to even breathe on my mac, afraid to break its 2-way functionality again.

 

[GeneralChang]

Does this work in corporate wifi environments (802.1x) where multicasting, mDNS and Bonjour are all blocked from the network?

I read half your comment and was all like "oh totally, works great at my work" and then I read the rest of your comment, and now I'm not so sure.