Now that we are all releasing the new operating system for OS X, Yosemite, we can use some functions that allow continuity of work between different devices. Handoff is the function that allows you to start a task, follow it on the iPad and finish it on the Mac.
The basics is that we have to have iOS 8 on iPhone and iPad (the latest version) and Yosemite on Macs. In all of them you must be registered with the same Apple ID, or what is the same, that you have the same iCloud account and that the Bluetooth is on. This last point is important to remember, since in iMac, the accessories already make us be connected by BT, but in MacBooks and iOS, we usually have the bluetooth turned off.
It currently works with Apple applications such as Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Safari, Reminders, Messages, Maps, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. Developers can add continuity functionality as well, but today we are focusing on configuring it to use any of the above.
Hardware
In terms of hardware for Handoff to work, you need to have an iMac, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro from 2012 or later or Mac Pro from late 2013. Compatible iOS devices are iPhone 5 or later, iPad (4th generation), iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display, and iPod touch (5th generation).
Some performance They require specific conditions and others will have charges from the telephone companies, such as calls or SMS.
- Handoff requires an iOS device with iOS 8.
- Calls require an iPhone with iOS 8.
- An iPhone with iOS 8.1 is required for SMS.
- Instant Hotspot requires an iPhone or iPad with a data connection and iOS 8.1. Check with your operator the availability of this service.
Software
Remember that it requires:
- Same account iCloud.
- Bluetooth activated.
- Devices need to be within a radius of ten meters each other.
Configuration
Let's go to the iPhone and we follow the route: Settings > General > Handoff and suggested applications and we check that we have operational Handoff.
Let's go to the Mac, we open System preferences > General and we confirm that we have activated the tab that allows the use of Handoff.
For Handoff to work, the device that was initially working has to be operational and unlocked. So, for example, if you're viewing a web page on the iPad and the iPad locks automatically, you won't be able to continue working on the Mac or iPhone without waking up and unlocking the iPad first.
For more information on continuity functions, you have some initial features in the Apple website.
Does Continuity work for you from mac to ipad and vice versa?
in imac mid 2011 and iphone 5s iOS 8, CALLS have worked for me for a moment and never again…. I could call from "contacts" and also receive them on the iMac….
do i have to have iCloud activated? bluetooth had it turned off when it worked… .. (with the WIFI in theory enough)
I do not know why it does not work …
a better guide please…. this happens to a lot of people !!!
Thank you
This happens only to you, to the rest of us it only works as specified by the developer, so you better keep your comments and especially your own needs, not everyone's, for when you dream that it works for you on devices that do not. they have in the OS or on networks in which it does not work.
«Save your comments» Oysters that «democrat» ... about this girl ...
First, I did not like your response to a visitor to your post at all, there are ways and WAYS.
Second, I also have an iMac mid 2011 and it can only make and receive phone calls because, unlike the other functions, it does not use Bluetooth but the WIFI line.
Ah, now with the latest iOS update you can also send SMS !!!!!
Well, the comment of the colleague is right, it is not necessary to have the bluetooth plugged in, with being on the same wifi there is plenty.
Your comment Carmen is totally out of place, both in form and in reason.
"We have to have"
Well, they just disappointed me in a bad way… .. I have a 2011 iMac, a top-of-the-range i7, with 6970 Gb HD1M graphics, 16 GB of RAM and they won't let me use Handoff… ..
They force me to change a computer that is still under warranty, for the simple fact of being from 2011, when there are still less powerful iMacs from 2013 or 2014….
Let them do it with mobiles, okay, but with iMacs ...
I am in the same situation as you, it has been a great disappointment to see that I could not activate Handoff on my iMac ... for this reason I notice the hardware needs, that this "small" detail has been left to comment.
I've been researching and it seems to have to do with the Bluetooth version and obviously its capability ...
Greetings and thanks for your contribution !
From what I see there are many things that do not work if the Mac is not from 2012 or later, it is my case, I have an Air from the end of 2010 and neither does that nor the AirDrop with my iphone 6
It is that I find it shameful that they "capen" a desktop operating system…. on a computer that is even more powerful than some from 2014 ...
On mobile devices, I understand that IOS capen, but on desktops and these nonsense, I find it ridiculous ,,,
They do not have anything, they need bluetooth 4 or low energy, they said they were working on trying to bring it to old macs, perhaps in the future.
And what does low energy have to do with it? It is the iMac connected to current the one that spends more in any case, not the iPhone ...
But it would force to use 2.1 on the iphone. It is a service that is practically active, so the battery of the mobile would not last you even a couple of hours. I have read in a blog that they managed to make it work by buying a bluetooth 4.0 pen, but I do not know if they are all compatible.
I have a MacBook Pro from mid-2012 and this afternoon I made and received calls with the Mac but I could not get continuity to work. I have everything well configured.
The MacBook Pro was the one that came out in October or November 2012, I can't remember the exact date. I test with an iPhone 5 with iOS 8.0.2
Very bad very bad about apple I am not going to spend 2000 $ just to use handoff
Calls work perfectly for me, as expected, there are times when they don't.
As for the handoff, it works for me from the ipad or iphone to the imac but from the imac to the iphone I don't get the icon.
Do you know why it can be
regards
The solution that Apple offers to the problem of a call that does not transfer to other devices or you do not see the Handoff icons is:
1. Make sure the devices use iOS 8 or later; To do this, go to Settings> General> Software Update.
2. Check the settings:
▪ Go to Settings> Wi-Fi and turn on Wi-Fi, if necessary.
▪ Go to Settings> Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth, if necessary.
▪ Make sure iOS devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network; To do this, go to Settings> Wi-Fi and compare the name of the network to which each one is connected.
▪ Go to Settings> General> Handoff and suggested apps and turn on Handoff.
▪ Go to Settings> Phone and turn off Wi-Fi Calling.
I hope it works for you !!!
Hello I have ios 8.1 and yosemite 10.10 and I don't know how I should make Hanoff work despite having it activated on the iphone and the mac. I am working without wifi, that is to say, shared connection and shot of 4g of the iphone. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Thanks
Well, well, they are beginning to not allow things in a Macbook Pro from 2011. What does Apple want, also force us to change our Macbook Pro that works perfectly? This planned obsolescence that Apple applies so aggressively is making me doubt whether to continue buying Apple products. When I buy something I take care of it so that it works well for as long as possible, and that with Apple I cannot apply it since they are in charge of "remotely damaging them."
I remember when in apple everything was easy…. these guys are going to drive us crazy….
Steve Jobs used to say "we do the same but we make it easy" !! what happened to that !!
Well, I receive and make calls perfectly with WIFI between a MacBookPro from 2010 and an iPhone 6. What does not work is continuity, but the calls are milk!
They say that if you put a USB Bluetooth 4.0 everything works.
I think this solution will serve many and save a few $$$ for those who were already thinking about changing the BT.
Handoff fixed on Mac Air 2011 - tested with IPhone 5s.
The first thing as indicated in the procedure, verify that your Bluetooth board is compatible with BT LE (if it is not, do not try):
On the MAC, go to the apple icon, “About this Mac”, “System report….”, Select the “Bluetooth” option under “hardware” and look for the “Bluetooth LE compatible” parameter to be in the value "Yes".
Source and credits:
http://sepa.no-ip.org/sepa_blog/tag/handoff/
—
rich67801
Hello, I have followed the steps of the tutorial and everything works for me except to be able to make calls from my mac book pro I have an iPhone 5s that I am missing. Please help me
regards
Hello I have a macbook pro mid 2012 retina 15 and an iphone 5s… Calls there is no problem but continuity there is no case I have done everything and it does not work… A can !!! I hope you can help me!
Well, with me I already saw a kit to modify it and be able to use the mac without problems, I already happened with the iphone 6 and outside I do not fall into the network of changing my iphone 5s again for a design more like a sam, without being so elegant they start to scare me …….
I already have the Solution, that actually happened to me, everything they say, thank you, by searching and reading you learn. What needs to be done is to reset the PRAM memory of the Mac, from 2011 onwards. But first, it is required to delete a folder as follows:
We enter the hard drive (normally Macintosh HD), from there we go to Library, and finally we open the Preferences folder.
Now we delete the SystemConfiguration folder, without fear, it will ask us for administrator permissions but nothing, to trash it.
Then we turn off the computer or restart and before the power-on sound by pressing the cmd + alt + P + R keys, it is a bit complicated but it can be done. While we press this combination, the equipment will turn on several times reaching only the part that sounds the "GONG" so to call it, we keep it pressed until it sounds 3 times. One detail, it has to be the left alt.
Once it sounds the 3rd time we let go and let the team continue to start normally.
Ready, the problem is solved.
It all lies in the BT
I have a macbook pro mid 2012, an iphone 5s and an ipad mini with a retina screen, but previously hand off between mac and iphone worked well for me, now no longer if it connects between ipad iphone and vice versa but it does not allow me to connect with the mac, anyone have a solution? and it is not a question of the configuration since I already configure hand off in the three idevice and I have them with the same Apple id, the same wi-fi network and all three with Bluetooth on
Good morning I have an iPhone 4s and a MacBook Pro 2014 they don't want to work, on my iPhone it doesn't have a hand off
Hello everybody and thanks in advance!
I have problems with the Personal Hotspot of my Iphone 6. It does not work for me, only the Loading icon appears and it never allows me to activate it to share the internet. At Apple they told me that my phone company should activate it and still nothing. My sister has a Samsung with the same phone company and it works for her.
If someone would know how to help me I would appreciate it very much!
Happy day!