Continuity or Handoff for Macs prior to 2012

A few days ago I published the form of activate Handoff on your iPhone, iPad and Mac, but at the same time we saw that many of us do not have the latest Mac and, therefore, we will not be able to enjoy this advantage.

After investigating there are a couple of options that can be done to qualify for this functionality without buying a new computer, which does not deserve it in 99 percent of the cases.

The origin of it being a problem is the Bluetooth, which until those manufactured in mid-2011 were made with Bluetooth 2.1 + ERD a fairly basic protocol that was put into circulation in 2007. Bypassing the version 3.0 of 2009 and 4.0 of 2010.

We assume that the requirements that were thought to be needed were marked by desktop peripherals and little else, therefore version 2.1 met the bandwidth needs that were estimated in a transfer of 3 megabit per second while all later versions are in the 24 megabit per second.

Being a radio frequency system, its type can also be measured based on the maximum power and therefore your range. They are three classes: Class 1 with a power of 100 mW and a range of 30 meters, Class 2 2.5 mW power and a range of 5 to 10 meters and the Class 3 with a power of 1 mW and only one meter of range.

The version required to use Handoff is 4.0, which includes Classic bluetooth, High speed bluetooth (WiFi-based) and the protocols of the Low consumption Bluetooth (Bluetooth Low Energy or BLE, that works with a stack and its protocol is new looking to make simple links quickly).

The problem is that this Bluetooth system in the computers of mid-2011 are built-in and they will not want to change it in any official store, however, there are two options to improve the BT and try to get the Handoff functionality:

By means of an external BT 4.0 adapter via USB.

1. In System Preferences, you have to verify that the BT is recognized and works.
2. Select it by default.
3. You will also have to tell the system using the Port with the sequence «sudo nvram bluetoothHostControllerSwitchBehavior = »always»«

This system has worked on some systems and in others it has left the peripherals without connection.

Change the BT board

For the 21,5-inch iMac from mid-2011 there is a guide on iFixit de how to change the board containing the bluetooth on the other with version 4.0 of the protocol.

La guide for 27 inch version, but the iMac from mid-2010, you also have it on the same platform. (Thank you MBerries for the contribution)

Expert advice

After speaking with several Genius Apple Store they have recommended that, unless you have a high level of knowledge, do not get involved in changing the plate. Likewise, the other system can cost you 10 euros but get rid of the bug whether it would work on your iMac.