With iOS 17 now available to all with an iPhone XS and above, alongside iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10, using the new FaceTime feature in tvOS 17 is the feature that has really surprised me the most this year. And for positive reasons!

I’ve owned an Apple TV 4K for a few short months, and I’ve enjoyed using tvOS, the software it’s powered by, a lot. From using it to look at the smart home camera feeds all around our house to using AirPlay so our iPhones and iPads connect to the TV with ease, it’s a fun, useful device.

Apple TV 4K is also much faster when it comes to browsing all the shows and apps it offers, unlike the software built into my LG TV which takes too long to load up something as simple as YouTube.

But it was FaceTime in tvOS 17 that has now really sold the device for me. And it’s made me wonder if it’s finally a powerful competitor to Skype and Zoom calls from this one lone feature.

FaceTime to the Future

I’ve used Apple’s calling feature ever since it debuted in 2010 with iPhone 4. Being able to video call someone has always been fun to do, and its updates in recent years with group calls and gestures have been great.

So imagine my surprise when I suddenly saw a FaceTime icon on my Apple TV home screen appearing weeks before the expected launch date of the feature. 

Setting it up was an easy affair. After selecting the icon, a notification appears on another of your devices that’s already been updated to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. Once you press this, tvOS finds your iPhone or iPad, takes control of its camera, and suddenly you’re on the TV in a FaceTime window that looks similar to its iPadOS version. You select who you want to call from your device, and you’re good to go.

Calling my niece after her first day back to school was great, as we had the iPad in front of the TV, so she could essentially see us looking at her directly, instead of at an angle.

FaceTime now recognizes gestures and will accompany them with AR animations. The new gestures you can do with your hands this year, such as heart and thumbs up, worked the first time, and they came through on the call instantly, which was a nice touch.

Zooming

Once we hung up, I was surprised at how seamlessly the whole process had worked, and it made me wonder if Apple now has a powerful, enterprise-ready video-calling competitor, ready to take on the likes of Zoom and Google Meet.

Many of us remember the group calls and games that we would take part in during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I joined my fair share — taking part in pub quizzes and being close to last place was still a fun time, but it was all carried out over Zoom.

This was before Apple allowed FaceTime drop-in links to be generated, allowing anyone to join FaceTime calls with access to the link. As this was only made available in 2022, apps like Zoom and Skype were the best alternative for this at the time, with FaceTime in large part missing the COVID-19 video calling boom period.

But if tvOS support had been available in 2020, I could have easily been using FaceTime on Apple TV for more quizzes and watch-alongs.

This one feature enables something that usually requires a TV to have a camera built-in (or at least compatible with external cameras — a relative rarity in home entertainment systems) in order to replicate.

But Apple did it in one software update for anyone that has an iPhone or iPad plus that streaming box — which, considering Apple’s linked device ecosystem, you’ll assume will be most Apple TV owners. It might be the best use of Apple’s HandOff functionality we’ve seen so far.

It’s an ingenious way to bring video calling to the living room, and it saves the hassle for many in setting a call up on a TV. This is a feature that we’re planning on using a lot more throughout the year. I hope to see Apple improve it even further; perhaps by letting you take a FaceTime call while you play an Apple Arcade game on Apple TV with others for instance.

But whatever Apple decides to do next, FaceTime is a home run on tvOS. In one fell swoop, it’s justified using Apple TV as not only our main method of watching content but also connecting with friends and family too.

With Apple Handoff, you can start something on one device (like an iMessage on your iPhone) and finish it on another (like your Mac or iPad). Handoff makes it not only possible to move your activities between your devices without interrupting your workflow, but it makes it easy to do!

Apple Handoff requirements

Handoff broadcasts activities using Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) and transfers them using Wi-Fi, either directly or via iCloud. It's part of Apple's Continuity feature. To use Handoff, your Mac(s) and your other device need to be:

• Using a Mac that supports Bluetooth LE; this includes all of the best Macs.
• Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account) on all your devices.
• Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Running the minimum relevant software version installed: iOS 10, iPadOS 13, macOS 10.10, watchOS 1.0, or later.

Bluetooth LE is required because it uses very little power and only works within a very close range. You want Handoff always to be available but not unnecessarily draining your battery. Likewise, you only want nearby devices under your physical control to pick up your activities. Security and privacy first.

Apple Handoff compatibility

Apple offers Handoff support to the following built-in apps:

• Mail, Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

Developers can also add Apple Handoff support to Mac App Store apps. Check the app's description for compatibility.

How to enable or disable Apple Handoff on the Mac

Handoff should be enabled by default. If it isn't, or if you need to toggle it, follow these steps on the 2021 MacBook Pro or any other compatible Macs:

1. Launch System Preferences from the Dock or by clicking the Apple icon and System Preferences on the top left of your screen.
2. Click on General.
3. Check the box to the left of Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.

To disable Handoff, repeat the same steps but uncheck the box. When you're using an app on one device and it's available for Handoff, its icon will appear on the far right (or top) of your Dock.

It can take a few seconds or more for the app to launch and your activity to transfer over. Once it has, you can continue working right where you left off.

How to access Apple Handoff from the fast app switcher

If you find using the keyboard quicker than using the Dock, you can also get to Handoff via the fast app switcher. It'll be on the far left side.

1. Press Command-Tab to activate the fast app switcher.
2. Press Command-Tab again and again until you cycle to the Handoff icon.

It can take a few seconds or more for the app to launch and your activity to transfer over. Once it has, you can continue working right where you left off.

Save yourself some time

Apple has designed Handoff to just work, and it shows! Once activated, you can save a great deal of time using multiple devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. You can also learn how to set up Handoff on your iPhone or iPad once you've mastered it on your Mac.

Updated February 2022: Includes latest steps.

Handoff, which is part of Apple's Continuity features, lets you transfer your activities between iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod touch, and Mac. For example, you can start writing an email on your iPad, then switch immediately to your nearby iPhone or Mac. Best of all, it's easy to do!

Handoff requirements

Handoff broadcasts activities using Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) and transfers them using Wi-Fi, either directly or through iCloud. Handoff requirements include:

• A mobile device equipped with Bluetooth LE. This includes all of the best iPhones, including the iPhone 13 series and any iPhone 5 or later; the best iPads, including iPad Pro (any version), iPad 4 or later, iPad Air or later, and iPad mini (any version); plus iPod touch 5th generation or later and Apple Watch (any version).
• Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account) on all your devices.
• Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Bluetooth LE is required because it uses very little power and it only works within a very close range. You want Handoff to always be available but not draining your battery unnecessarily. Likewise, you only want devices that are nearby and under your physical control to pick up your activities. Security and privacy first, as is the Apple standard.

The Handoff feature works with Mail, Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and many third-party apps.

How to enable or disable Handoff on iPhone and iPad

Handoff should be enabled by default. If it isn't or if you need to toggle it:

1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
2. Tap General.

3. Tap AirPlay & Handoff.
4. Toggle on Handoff.

To disable Handoff, repeat the same steps but set the toggle to Off.

How to access Handoff from the App Switcher

When you're using an app on one device and it's available for Handoff, you'll see a message on the bottom of the App Switcher on your iPhone or iPad. For example, if you're surfing the web with Safari on your Mac, you will see a link to Safari on your mobile device.

In this example:

1. On your Mac, open a website in Safari.

2. On your mobile device, go into the App Switcher.
3. Tap the message at the bottom of the screen to bring up the Safari page you were viewing on your Mac.

It can take a few seconds or more for the app to launch and your activity to transfer over. Once it has, you can continue working right where you left off.

Time to Handoff!

Part of Apple's continuity, Handoff is a terrific tool that makes it easier to move back and forth between Apple machines. To see how to use Handoff on your Mac, check out our guide for that as well. Use the neat feature with your best iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other supported devices.

Updated February 2022: Added iOS 15 information.

The iPhone, iPad, and Mac are all different devices and, although the interfaces may look similar, they actually all run different OSes. That being said, Apple has designed a suite of features that all fall under the Continuity umbrella that help to make working across different Apple devices a more seamless experience.

Continuity includes features like Instant Hotspot for sharing cellular connections, AirDrop for transferring files, relay for sending and receiving SMS/MMS and making or taking phone calls, and Handoff for continuing your activities even when you switch devices.

Although these features are all grouped under the same name, they all have different requirements and all work in different ways across iOS and macOS. Luckily, they're also easy to set up and easy to use once you know how!

How to set up and use Handoff

Handoff lets you transfer your activities between iPhone, iPad, and Mac. For example, you can be writing an email on your iPhone as you come in the door and use Handoff on your Mac in order to keep writing the exact same email. You can be reading iMore on Safari on your Mac, get up, grab your iPad, and keep reading right where you left off with Handoff for iOS. You can even finish up a Keynote presentation on your iPad, throw it in your bag, realize you need to make some edits, pull out your iPhone, and get them done as you walk out the door.

As long as you're signed in to the same iCloud account on all your devices, have Wi-Fi turned on, and are within Bluetooth LE range, it's easy to do!

How to set up and use AirDrop

With AirDrop, you can quickly, easily, and securely share files between iPhones, iPads, and Macs. You need to have AirDrop turned on be within Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) range and have Wi-Fi turned on, but when you do, the transfer is fast, and there are virtually no file size restrictions, which can make AirDrop even more convenient than mailing, messaging, or online sharing as well. We also have some easy fixes to try if you find AirDrop is not working.

How to set up and use Instant Hotspot

Instant Hotspot lets you share the data connection from your iPhone or cellular iPad. You can use Instant Hotspot with your Mac or connect a Wi-Fi-only iPad to your Hotspot when out and about.

Unlike a Personal Hotspot, which can be used to connect any device owned by anyone, Instant Hotspot doesn't require a password. Instead, it uses your Apple ID for authentication, Bluetooth LE for rapid connection, and Wi-Fi for data transfer. That makes it faster and more convenient but limits it to just your devices.

As long as your iPhone or Cellular iPad has an active carrier plan that allows for Personal Hotspot usage, each device you're trying to connect is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, you should see your Instant Hotspot as an option in the Wi-Fi menu of the device you're trying to get online. Select it, and you should be allowed to connect sans password.

How to set up and use Sidecar

With Apple's Sidecar feature, you can utilize your iPad as a second display for your Mac. As well as gaining some valuable additional screen real estate for all of your windows, it also opens up the opportunity to use your Apple Pencil for sketching and marking up documents. You can get started with Sidecar from the Control Center menu on your Mac and choose whether you want to use your iPad as an additional display or use it to mirror your Mac's screen.

Apple is taking this way of working one step further with macOS Monterey with a feature called Universal Control. With no setup at all, this new feature lets users work across and move between iPad and Mac devices as they sit side-by-side using the same keyboard, mouse, or trackpad.

How to set up and use Auto Unlock

One neat Continuity feature that really benefits Apple Watch wearers is Auto Unlock. Once set up, it gives you instant access to your Mac, without the need to enter your password, when you're wearing your unlocked Apple Watch. Since the system trusts that it's you wearing your unlocked Apple Watch (since you had to enter its passcode), your Mac will unlock for you automatically once you're in close proximity.

The feature requires macOS Sierra or later and watchOS 3 or later, with each device needing to be logged in with the same iCloud account. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on, and both devices need to ordinarily have a password/passcode, too. Note that the first time you log in after you've turned on, restarted, or logged out of your Mac, you'll need to enter your password manually.

On top of automatically unlocking your Mac, this feature enables you to automatically enter your Mac's admin password using your Apple Watch when asked for it — such as when viewing passwords in Safari preferences, accessing a locked note, or unlocking settings in System Preferences. If you have a long, complicated password for security reasons, this will make your life much easier.

A related feature included in iOS 14.5 allows you to similarly unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch. This feature works when Face ID is not an option due to the wearing of a face mask.

How to set up and use iPhone Cellular Calls on Mac and iPad

Since it debuted, this feature has gone by a few different names, but iPhone Cellular Calls essentially allows you to answer and place calls using your iPad or Mac. You can even make a call from your HomePod. These calls are really using your iPhone's connection but happen without you needing to touch your phone at all. In fact, it could be across the room or in another room entirely.

iPhone Cellular Calls use the same phone number, carrier, and plan as your iPhone, so the person on the other end won't know the difference. It also provides all the features you're used to from your iPhone as well, including the caller's number, contact picture, and more. That makes it not only convenient but easy to use!

As with other Continuity features, you need to be logged into the same iCloud account across your devices in order for this call relay system to work and have your devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

How to set up and use Text Message Forwarding on Mac or iPad

Text Message Forwarding, previously known as SMS/MMS relay, lets you send and receive standard text messages — the "green bubble," non-iMessage kind — through the built-in Messages app on your iPad or Mac, just like you've always been able to do on your iPhone.

As long as your iPhone, iPad, or Mac are online, as soon as your iPhone receives an SMS or MMS message, it will relay it through Apple's messaging servers to your iPad or Mac. Whenever you want to contact a "green bubble friend" from your iPad or Mac, Apple's messaging servers will relay that to your iPhone, and from there, out over the carrier network.

That means if you're at your iPad or Mac and you need to text, you'll never have to go fishing or running for your iPhone again and, since you can send SMS messages from your iPad and keep up with those same test messages on your Mac, you'll never be out of the loop with your non-iMessage friends.

How to set up and use Universal Clipboard

Ever find yourself wanting to copy something on your iPhone and paste it on your Mac? With Universal Clipboard, you can do exactly that. That means you can grab a snippet of text from a note on your iPad and paste it into an email on your Mac or copy a URL from a message on your iPhone and paste it into Safari on your iPad. It even works for images and videos.

As long as you're logged into your Apple devices with the same iCloud account and each has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on, you'll be able to copy in one place and simply press paste in another to see it in action. Note, Universal Clipboard requires iOS 10 and macOS Sierra or newer.

How to set up and use Continuity Camera

Continuity Camera allows you to open your iOS device's camera from your Mac, then immediately transfer the photo that was taken over to a document that you're working on. It doesn't work in all apps, just a handful of first-party Apple apps like Mail, Notes, and Pages, but it can be very convenient once you get into the habit of using it.

For instance, if you're taking a note or working on a Pages document, and you need a photo of something that's nearby, you can activate Continuity Camera, take the photo with your iPhone, then immediately see that photo pop up in place on your Mac.

How to set up and use Continuity Sketch

In a similar vein, you can use your Mac to request a sketch from your iPhone or iPad via Continuity Sketch. In a compatible app, simply drop down the File menu in macOS and choose Insert from [device name]. Select Add Sketch and a sketching window will open on the device of your choice. You can use your finger or your Apple Pencil to draw out the desired sketch and simply hit Done when finished to have it appear auto-magically in the document on your Mac.

Of course, you'll need to have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and ensure that all devices are logged in with the same iCloud account for the feature to work.

How to set up and use Continuity Markup

Have a PDF on your Mac that you want to mark up? With Continuity Markup, you can have that document open on your iPhone or iPad to make some quick annotations with your finger or Apple Pencil and have them appear in real-time on the documentary on your Mac. Whether you're quickly signing a document, want to circle something important, or add some notes along the margins, you can do it quickly without actually sending the document back and forth.

To do it, find the PDF or image that you want to mark up in the Finder on your Mac and Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click to open the action menu, then select Quick Look. In the Quick Look window, click the Markup (pen) icon to enable annotations, then click the Continuity Markup icon (pen with arrow) to choose the device to make your annotations on.

How to set up and use Apple Pay

While you might not think of it at first, Apple Pay, or at least Apple Pay on the web forms a part of Apple's Continuity offering.

While on your iPhone, you can use built-in NFC to pay with Apple Pay at compatible payment terminals, using Apple Pay on the Mac involves a little bit of cross-device special sauce. The feature enables you to make a seamless and secure purchase, even if your Mac doesn't have its own Touch ID sensor.

When making an Apple Pay payment via Safari on your Mac, your iPhone or unlocked Apple Watch can be used to approve the transaction. When prompted, simply authenticate with Touch ID or Face ID on your iPhone or click the Side button on your Apple Watch to approve the transaction.

Questions?

Read through our linked guides and still have more questions about Continuity? Let us know in the comments below!

July 2021: Updated for iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur with details on new Continuity features like Sidecar, Universal Clipboard, and Auto Unlock.

Instant Hotspot is part of Continuity, and lets you share the data connection from your iPhone or cellular iPad with your Mac or other devices. It's different from Personal Hotspot, which requires a password and connects like a standard Wi-Fi router, in that it uses your Apple ID for authentication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) for rapid connection, and Wi-Fi for data transfer. So it's much faster and more convenient, but it's really only meant for your devices.

• Instant Hotspot requirements
• How to enable Instant Hotspot on your iPhone or cellular iPad
• How to use Instant Hotspot to tether your Mac to your iPhone or cellular iPad

Instant Hotspot requirements

Instant Hotspot broadcasts availability using Bluetooth Low Energy, authenticates by Apple ID, and transfers data using Wi-Fi. In order for Instant Hotspot to work, your iPhone(s), iPad(s), and Macs need to be:

• Signed up on a data plan that includes tethering (cellular device only).
• Running iOS 8 or later on the iPhone or iPad, OS X Yosemite or later on the Mac.
• Equipped with Bluetooth LE (2012 Mac or later, iPhone 5 or later, iPad 4 or later, any iPad mini, iPod touch 5)
• Logged into the same Apple ID on all your devices.

How to enable Instant Hotspot on your iPhone or cellular iPad

1. Launch the Settings app from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on Personal Hotspot.
3. Tap the Personal Hotspot On/Off switch, you want it to be green.

If you don't see Personal Hotspot in the main Settings menu:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Tap on Personal Hotspot.
4. Tap the Personal Hotspot On/Off switch, you want it to be green.

If you still don't see Personal Hotspot, make sure your data plan supports tethering.

How to use Instant Hotspot to tether your Mac to your iPhone or cellular iPad

1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in your Mac's menu bar.
2. Click on the Device you want to use as a hotspot.

Note: If your device doesn't meet the requirements, or you want to connect to or with someone else's device, you can still use the regular personal hotspot feature by entering in the password.

Enhance your Mac with these solutions

Your Mac could be even more useful with one of our favorite accessories.

Apple Magic Keyboard ($89 at Amazon)

Apple's official Bluetooth keyboard is a great basic option that provides a consistently solid typing experience and pairs easily with your Mac or iPad.

Bose Companion 20 ($250 at Amazon)

These beautiful speakers offer a balanced sound in a stylish package. With no knobs on the front, the volume is controlled through a small pod attached to the right speaker, which also holds the ports for your headphones or other audio devices.

Apple Magic Mouse 2 ($67 at Amazon)

Just connect the Magic Mouse 2 to your Mac by a USB-to-Lightning cable once and it'll be paired. This rechargeable mouse has a multitouch surface that lets you customize exactly how it works, from what one- and two-finger swipes do to which side works as "left" and "right" click. Available in Silver or Space Gray to match your Mac.

Any Questions?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Updated August 2019: These are still all the same steps for iOS 13 and macOS Catalina.

Continuity Camera is a feature in macOS and iOS that allows you to open your iOS device's camera from your Mac, then immediately transfer a photo that you take over to a document that you're working with on your Mac. So, for instance, if you're working on a Pages document on your Mac, and you need a photo of something that's nearby, you can activate Continuity Camera, take the photo with your iPhone, then immediately see that photo pop up in the document on your Mac.

Here's how you'll use Continuity Camera on your Mac and iOS devices.

• How to add a photo with Continuity Camera
• How to scan a document with Continuity Camera

How to add a photo with Continuity Camera

In order to use Continuity Camera, you need to be working with an editable document.

1. Open your document or project in an app like Pages, Keynote, or TextEdit.
2. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on a space within the document (Note: your photo will end up wherever you end up clicking).

3. Hover over Import from iPhone or iPad.
4. Click Take Photo under the name of the iOS device you'll use to take that photo.

5. Take a photo using your chosen iPhone or iPad.
6. Tap Use Photo. Your photo will now appear in your document where you clicked.

How to scan a document with Continuity Camera

1. Open your document or project in an app like Pages, Keynote, or TextEdit.
2. Control-click, right-click, or two-finger-click on a space within the document (Note: your photo will end up wherever you end up clicking).

3. Hover over Import from iPhone or iPad.
4. Click Scan Documents under the name of the iOS device you'll use to scan that document.

5. Scan the document using your iPhone or iPad. You decide which one by picking the device up and using it. Repeat to scan multiple documents.
6. Tap Save. Your documents will be inserted into the document on your Mac.

For more on scanning documents on iOS, check out our guide.

How to scan a document to a note in Notes

Great accessories for your Mac

Apple AirPods 2 (From $159 at Apple)

The best Apple accessory has gotten betting with AirPods 2. Now offering a wireless charger case, the popular earbuds feature the new Apple H1 headphone chip that delivers a faster wireless connection to your devices, as well as support for "Hey Siri."

Bose Companion 20 ($250 at Amazon)

These beautiful speakers offer a balanced sound in a stylish package. With no knobs on the front, a small pod attached to the right speaker controls volume, which also holds the ports for your headphones or other audio devices.

Questions?

If you have any further questions about Continuity Camera, let us know in the comments.

Updated August 2019: Up to date through macOS Catalina and iOS 13.

Thanks to Continuity, the iPhone can expand the communications capabilities of your other Apple devices. Since the release of iOS 8.1, you have been able to make and accept calls from your iPad when your iPhone is nearby. You'll need your iPhone nearby, but this feature lets you stay on one machine and keep doing it no matter what comes up.

Here's how you set up and use call relay to make and answer phone calls on your iPad.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

• How to enable call relay on your iPhone and iPad
• How to place a call on your iPad with call relay and the Contacts app
• How to place a call on your iPad with call relay and Safari
• How to place a call on your iPad with call relay and FaceTime

What you'll need

In order to relay calls from your iPhone to your iPad, both devices will need to meet the following requirements.

1. Running iOS 8.1 or later.
2. Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Logged into the same iCloud account (Apple ID).

How to enable call relay on your iPhone and iPad

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Tap Calls on Other Devices.

4. Flip the switch on next to Allow Calls on Other Devices.
5. Flip the switch on next to the iPad in question.

Next, you'll need to move to the iPad that you want to use call relay on.

1. Open Settings on your iPad.
2. Tap FaceTime.
3. Flip the switch on next to Calls from iPhone.

On iPadOS 13, coming this fall, this process will be slightly different, with one additional piece of the process.

1. Open Settings on your iPad.
2. Tap FaceTime.

3. Tap Calls from iPhone.
4. Flip the switch on next to Calls from iPhone.

Once you've set it up, whenever a call comes in you can press the Answer button to pick up and conduct the call entirely on your iPad.

How to place a call on your iPad with call relay and the Contacts app

1. Open Contacts on your iPad.
2. Tap on the contact you want to call.
3. Tap the call button to call them through your iPad.

How to place a call on your iPad with call relay and Safari

1. Open Safari on your iPad.
2. Tap the address bar.

3. Type in the name of the location you'd like to call.
4. Tap the phone icon when the location comes up to start the call.

How to place a call on your iPad with call relay and FaceTime

The FaceTime is the closest thing the iPad has to the Phone app on the iPhone, and it makes both audio and video calls.

1. Open FaceTime on your iPad.
2. Tap + to start a new call.
3. Enter a name, phone number, or email address of the contact you want to call.

4. Tap on the contact if one appears.
5. Tap Audio to place an audio call.

Questions

If you've got any questions about making phone calls on your iPad, let us know in the comments.

Updated July 2019: Added information for iOS 13 and iPadOS 13.

SMS/MMS relay is part of Apple's Continuity feature. It lets you send and receive standard texts — the "green bubble" kind — through the built-in Messages app on your iPad, just like you've always been able to do on your iPhone. As long as your iPhone and iPad are online and as soon as your iPhone receives an SMS or MMS message, it will relay it through Apple's messaging servers to your iPad.

Continuity SMS/MMS relay requirements

In order for SMS/MMS relay to work, both your iPhone and iPad need to be:

1. Connected to the internet.
2. Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account).

Note: Your iPhone and iPad don't have to be on the same network, they just need to be online and able to connect to Apple's servers.

How to enable or disable SMS/MMS relay on your iPhone

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Messages.
3. Tap on Text Message Forwarding.

4. Turn On the option for forwarding to your iPad.
5. Wait for your iPad to pop up an authorization code.
6. Enter the authorization code on your iPhone.

How to send SMS/MMS on your iPad

Sending SMS/MMS on the Mac is just like sending an iMessage.

1. Launch the Messages app on your iPad.
2. Tap on the Compose Message button.
3. Enter the phone number or name of the contact you want to text.

4. Type your message.
5. Hit Send.

How to reply to SMS/MMS on your iPad

Receiving SMS/MMS on the iPad is also identical to receiving an iMessage.

1. Tap on a notification to quick reply or be taken straight to the Messages app.
2. Launch the Messages app at any time to view or reply to an SMS/MMS.

Great add-ons for iPad

Your iPad could be even more useful with one of our favorite accessories.

Apple Pencil (First Gen) ($100 at Amazon)

To Apple Pencil, or not to Apple Pencil: well, isn't the answer obvious? You should clearly Apple Pencil! This small but mighty iPad Air accessory can make all the difference as you're drawing, sketching, writing, and creating with your iPad. The Apple Pencil is easy to charge and allows you to have complete creative control over your iPad Air, making you the true iPad master.

ZUGU Protective iPad Case ($50 at Amazon)

Keep your iPad Air looking stylish and safe while still having fast access to all buttons and ports with the ZUGU Protective iPad Case, which allows your iPad Air (2022) to auto-sleep and wake up thanks to a dust-proof and scratch-proof magnetic cover. It comes in black, midnight blue, dark purple, and red color options, and is made from soft synthetic leather. It's one of the best cases for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which has True Tone flash and four speakers, while the 10.5-inch iPad Air does not have True Tone Flash and only has two speakers, so consider this when deciding whether to buy.

Updated December 2022: Updated for the latest versions of Apple OS.

Call relay, part of Apple's Continuity features, lets you answer and place calls from your iPhone using your Mac without having to scramble to find your phone. Because call relay uses the same phone number, carrier, and plan as your iPhone, the person on the other end can't tell the difference. It also shows you the caller's number, contact picture, and more, so you don't lose out on any features. Best of all, it's really easy to use — here's how!

• Continuity call relay requirements
• How to enable or disable call relay on the Mac
• How to enable call relay on your iPhone
• How to answer a phone call on your Mac
• How to decline a call on your Mac
• How to place a call on your Mac
• How to transfer a call from Mac to iPhone mid-call

Continuity call relay requirements

In order for call relay to work, both your iPhone and Mac need to be:

• Running iOS 8.1 or later on iPhone, OS X Yosemite or later on Mac.
• Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account).

How to enable or disable call relay on the Mac

1. Launch FaceTime from the Dock or Finder.
2. Click on FaceTime in the top menu.
3. Click on Preferences.
4. Click the checkbox next to Calls from iPhone.

To disable Call Relay, just repeat the same steps and uncheck the box.

Bear in mind that neither the FaceTime app on the phone nor the one on the Mac actually needs to be active or running to enable your Mac to make and take calls. It's just that the preferences to manage this feature are kept within FaceTime settings. You can safely exit out of FaceTime on the Mac and still expect it to work.

How to enable call relay on your iPhone

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Tap Calls on Other Devices.
4. Tap the switch next to Allow Calls on Other Devices.
5. Tap the switch next to each device on which you want to allow calls.

How to answer a phone call on your Mac

Answering a call is one simple step:

1. Click on Accept to answer when the notification pops up on the top right of your screen.

How to decline a call on your Mac

1. Click Decline when the notification pops up on the top right of your screen. Alternatively, you can click the dropdown arrow and choose to be reminded of the call in 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or an hour.

How to place a phone call on your Mac

1. Launch FaceTime from the Dock or Finder.
2. Enter someone's name or phone number where it says Enter a name, email, or number.
3. Click the phone button.
4. Click the number under Call using iPhone.

How to transfer a call from Mac to iPhone mid-call

If you'd like to continue your call that started on your Mac on your iPhone, you can easily transfer mid-call:

1. Unlock your iPhone.
2. Tap the Touch to return to call banner at the top of your screen.
3. Tap the audio button.
4. Tap iPhone.

Enhance your Mac with these solutions

Your Mac could be even more useful with one of our favorite accessories.

Das Keyboard 4 Professional ($169 at Amazon)

If you're more into mechanical keyboards, the Das Keyboard 4 should be what you're looking for, with options available for Cherry MX Blue or Brown switches. There's even an option for RGB backlighting, as well as media keys with a built-in volume knob.

Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones ($350 at Amazon)

These over-ear headphones provide a significant sound alternative to AirPods while being just about as easy to use. Like the AirPods, connect easily to your Apple devices thanks to the built-in W1 chip, which allows the pairing to sync across devices logged into iCloud.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below!

Updated July 2019: Made sure everything is up to date for iOS 13.

Instant Hotspot, part of Apple's Continuity features, lets you share the data connection from your iPhone or cellular iPad with your Wi-Fi-only iPad or other Apple device.

It's different from Personal Hotspot, which requires a password and connects like a standard Wi-Fi router, in that it uses your Apple ID for authentication, Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) for rapid connection, and Wi-Fi for data transfer. So it's much faster and more convenient, but it's really only meant for your devices.

Here's how to get started!

• Instant Hotspot requirements
• How to enable or disable Instant Hotspot on your iPhone or cellular iPad
• How to connect to your iPhone's Instant Hotspot with your iPad
• Changes coming to iOS 13/iPadOS 13

Instant Hotspot requirements

Instant Hotspot broadcasts availability using Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE), authenticates by Apple ID (iCloud account), and transfers data using Wi-Fi. In order for Instant Hotspot to work, your iPhone(s) and iPad(s) need to be:

• Your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) has an activated carrier plan providing Personal Hotspot service.
• Each device is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID.
• Each device has Bluetooth turned on.
• Each device has Wi-Fi turned on.

How to enable or disable Instant Hotspot on your iPhone or cellular iPad

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Personal Hotspot.
3. Tap on the toggle to turn Personal Hotspot On.

How to connect to your iPhone's Instant Hotspot with your iPad

1. Make sure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled in Control Center
2. Launch the Settings app on your iPad.
3. Tap on Wi-Fi.
4. Under Personal Hotspot, tap on the name of your iPhone.

Note: If your device doesn't meet the requirements, or you want to connect to or with someone else's device, you can still use the regular personal hotspot feature by entering in the password.

Changes coming to iOS 13/iPadOS 13

Apple has announced big changes are coming to Instant Hotspot for iPhone and iPad in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13, respectively. The changes will make it easier for Wi-Fi only devices to connect to the shared data connection. The operation remains the same, however.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

In the upcoming software updates, there is now a persistent personal hotspot, allowing devices to remain connected even when they are asleep. Because of this, incoming messages and push notifications will still arrive. Currently, in iOS 12, an iPad or other device can only connect to an iPhone's personal hotspot manually.

Additionally, your devices will automatically connect to your nearby iPhone personal hotspot when there's no internet connection available. This currently isn't possible.

Also, in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13, Apple's making it possible for family members to automatically connect to your nearby iPhone personal hotspot when there isn't an internet connection available.

To set up Family Sharing:

1. On your iPhone personal hotspot, tap the Settings app on the Home screen.
2. Select Family Sharing.
3. Toggle Family Sharing to the On position.
4. Tap on the family member to Ask for Approval.

Once your family member accepts your request, their mobile device will automatically connect to your iPhone personal hotspot when necessary.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Instant Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad, let us know in the comments.

Updated June 2019: This article has been updated for the most recent version of iOS.

Continuity is one of the most useful convenience features that Apple has introduced to iOS in recent years, letting you seamlessly move between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac by letting you open content from an app on one device in the same app on another device. But, as with anything else, problems will likely crop up from time to time.

If you find yourself experiencing a problem with Continuity or Handoff, follow these steps to fix the issues.

• Turn wireless on your iOS device off and on
• How to troubleshoot Handoff issues on your iPhone or iPad
• How to troubleshoot SMS forwarding on your iPhone or iPad
• How to troubleshoot call forwarding on your iPhone or iPad
• How to troubleshoot Handoff issues on your Mac

Turn wireless on your iOS device off and on

The first thing you'll want to try to do is just reset your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections between your iOS devices and any Macs with which you're attempting to use Continuity features. This is easily achieved using the Control Center and the Airplane Mode button.

1. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the Airplane Mode button. Wait for the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth buttons to all darken.
3. Tap the Airplane Mode button again. Your various wireless connections will reestablish themselves.

How to troubleshoot Handoff issue on your iPhone or iPad

If you're having problems using Handoff between apps on one of your iOS devices and your other devices, here's how you can try to fix them.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Handoff.

4. Flip the switch next to Handoff to the white "off" position.
5. Flip the switch next to Handoff to the green "on" position.

How to troubleshoot SMS forwarding issues on your iPhone or iPad

You'll need to follow these steps if you want the standard text messages you receive on your iPhone to show up on your iPad or Mac as well.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Messages.
3. Tap Text Message Forwarding.

4. Tap the switches next to the devices to which you want to forward messages to the white "off" position.
5. Tap the switches next to the devices to which you want to forward messages to the green "on" position.

How to troubleshoot call forwarding on your iPhone or iPad

If calls to your iPhone aren't popping up on your other devices, here's how you can try to fix that.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Tap Calls on Other Devices.

4. Tap the switch next to Allow Calls on Other Devices to the white "off" position.
5. Tap the switch next to Allow Calls on Other Devices to the green "on" position.

How to troubleshoot Handoff issues on your Mac

1. Open System Preferences on your Mac.
2. Click General.

3. Click the checkbox next to Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices to uncheck it.
4. Click the checkbox next to Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices again to check it.

Questions?

Do you have any more questions or specific concerns about troubleshooting Continuity features on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac? Let us know in the comments.

Global copy and paste, unlocking your Mac with your Apple Watch, AirDropping files to your nearby colleagues. If you're sporting older Mac hardware, you may be a bit envious of the capabilities that more modern hardware with Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11 ac Wi-Fi offer. All is not lost however! You can buy hardware upgrades from PC boards to bluetooth dongles that can add those features to you Mac. Here we show you what you need and how to install hardware upgrades to your old modular Mac Pro to add Handoff, Continuity, and AirDrop functionality!

• The problem
• The hardware solution
• The software solution
• Final comments

The problem

In order for things like Handoff and Air Drop to properly function, your Mac hardware has to be compatible with certain newer technologies. Bluetooth 4.0 offers a low power mode that is requisite in the Handoff design spec and for sharing data via Continuity with expediency, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi capabilities must exists on the your Mac's Wifi/Bluetooth adapter. Older hardware doesn't have this so they must be upgraded.

The hardware solution

For this article we show you the hardware needed and how to install said hardware for a 2009 Mac Pro. Although not identical, other hardware solutions for iMacs and MacBooks will follow similar steps to add the desired features in the form of attached USB dongles.

We purchased our hardware from OSXwifi.com. Their tag line is that they are "the final destination for everything you need to bring your old Apple products back to life." They offer a range of custom hardware upgrades for older Macs for the purpose of providing more modern functionality.

For our purposes we required an upgrade to both the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth default hardware. We purchased a kit from OSXwifi.com that includes both a mini PCIe adapter and a Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0/802.11 ac Wi-Fi capable card that also includes the appropriate antennae and USB power adapter cabling. If you're running up to El Capitan, it's a simple matter of plug-n-play. If you have Sierra or higher, then there are additional steps to follow.

1. Create an up-to-date backup of your Mac.
2. Shutdown your Mac with  > Shut Down.
3. Unplug your Mac.
4. Unscrew the bolt and spacer on the mini PCIe adapter.

5. Connect the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi card to the mini PCIe adapter.
6. Reconnect the bolt and spacer.
7. Release the latch on your Mac Pro.
8. Release the CPU tray latches.
9. Pull out the CPU tray.
10. Locate the old Bluetooth/Wi-Fi adapter towards the bottom left of the enclosure.
11. Carefully disconnect the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennae taking note of the placement on the board. On mine the antenna labeled "1" is connected to J2 terminal and the antenna labeled "3" is connected to the J1 terminal. The antenna labeled "2" was not connected.
12. Unscrew the old card from its mini PCIe port.

13. Connect the new Broadcom card with adapter to the mini PCIe port.
14. Carefully reconnect your previously attached Wi-Fi antenna cables to the appropriate port on the new card following the schematic provided by OSXwifi.com.
15. Screw the board back in to the motherboard. You'll only need to re-attach one screw.
16. Connect the supplied antenna extender cable to the J3 bluetooth terminal.
17. Pass the extender behind the metal post.

18. Disconnect the old Bluetooth antenna cable.
19. Attach the old Bluetooth antenna to the supplied antenna extender.
20. Connect the USB power cable to the two prongs on the new Broadcom adapter.
21. Disconnect the power cable on the old Bluetooth card.
22. Pass the USB power adapter behind the metal post.
23. Attach the old USB power cable to the supplied USB power adapter.

24. Re-connect the CPU tray and case panel and restart your Mac.

The software solution

Once restarted, you may need to re-pair your bluetooth connected devices. If you're running macOS up to El Capitan, all you then need to do is enable Handoff in System preferences > General and if you have an Apple Watch, enable unlocking with the watch in Security & Privacy.

However, if you have a macOS install beyond El Capitan installed you'll need to run some specialized software to get your Mac using the new hardware properly.

1. Download the beta version of the Continuity Activation Tool.
2. Restart your Mac holding Command-R to restart in recovery mode.
3. Once in the recovery environment, click Utilities > Terminal.
4. Enter the command csrutil disable.
5. Type in reboot.
6. Once logged back in to your account start the Continuity Activation Tool.
7. Enter your password.
8. Enter option 1.
9. Follow the on-screen prompts and reboot the Mac.

10. Once rebooted enable Handoff in System Preferences > General.
11. Test AirDrop from Finder. And another AirDrop capable iOS device.

12. If successful, restart your Mac holding Command-R.
13. Once in the recovery environment click Utilities > Terminal.
14. Enter the command csrutil enable —without kext.
15. Type in reboot.
16. Done!

As with any hack, things can be subject to break as the OS gets updated.

Final comments

Seeing that a new modular Mac Pro is only rumoured in 2019 at the earliest (First quarter? Last Quarter? Who Knows!) then getting more life out your current hardware at a fraction of the cost of a new iMac Pro is totally worth it. Any plans on updating your old hardware? Tell us about it in the comments!

Universal Clipboard was introduced with iOS 10: It hooks in with Apple's Continuity and Handoff cross-device framework to let you copy and paste links, images, and files between your iPhone and your Mac when they're in proximity to one another.

Like the company's other Continuity features, you don't have to do anything beyond signing into iCloud to make this feature work: Just copy on one device; paste on the other.

• Will my device work with Universal Clipboard?
• How to use Universal Clipboard on your iPhone or iPad
• How to use Universal Clipboard on your Mac
• Troubleshoot Universal Clipboard

Will my device work with Universal Clipboard?

Before doing anything else, make sure your device can use this feature! You'll need to be running iOS 10 and macOS Sierra on all your devices to take advantage of Universal Clipboard.

It works with the following devices:

• iPhone 5 or newer
• iPad Pro
• iPad (4th generation)
• iPad Air or newer
• iPad mini 2 or newer
• iPod touch (6th generation) or newer
• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
• MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (2012 or newer)
• iMac (2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013)

If your device is too old for Universal Clipboard, there are still a few apps that might be able to help you do the same thing:

• How to copy and paste between your older Macs and iPhone/iPads

How to set up Universal Clipboard on your iPhone or iPad

Note: Universal Clipboard currently works with text, photos, files, and video.

1. Sign into iCloud with the same Apple ID on all your devices.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on all your devices.
3. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on all your devices.
4. Make sure your devices are near each other. Universal Clipboard is proximity-dependent.
5. Copy your text, photo, or video on one device.
6. Paste your text, photo, or video on your other device.

How to troubleshoot Universal Clipboard

We've run into a few hiccups while using Universal Clipboard — particularly when trying to paste from the Mac to iPhone. There are a few troubleshooting steps you can take, though.

• Sometimes a good ol'-fashioned sign-out-sign-in works better than anything else. Try signing out of iCloud on your Apple devices and signing back in again.
• Double-check you've got Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and you've got Airplane Mode turned off.
• Make sure your devices are near each other (in the same room). Universal Clipboard won't paste from across the country.
• Try copying your text, photos, or videos again. The clipboard clears itself after a period of time.

Questions or trouble?

Let us know if you're seeing problems with Universal Clipboard and we'll try and help out as best we can!

This is my beautiful iOS 10 media dream: Start binge watching The Expanse on my Apple TV at night, get tired, get up and walk to my room, swipe up on the Video icon on my iPad lock screen, and keep right on watching. Get in the zone with an amazing Apple Music playlist while I'm working on my Mac, go to grab some lunch, swipe up on the Music icon on my iPhone and keep right on listening.

Handoff is part of the Continuity features Apple introduced in 2014. It lets you move seamlessly from iPhone to iPad to Mac and back again. You can start an email on your iPhone and then switch to Mac to really pound it out. You can prep a Keynote on your Mac and then make last-minute adjustments on your iPad right before the pitch. You can even start a call on your Apple Watch and complete it on your iPhone. For messaging, browsing, document editing, and more, it's ludicrously great. As long as you're logged into the same Apple ID, and in proximity, everything you do can be started, continued, or finished on all of your devices.

Almost.

Handoff currently doesn't work with anything iTunes — music, movies, TV shows, etc. — or with the Apple TV.

Though Handoff shipped in 2014, Apple bought Beats in 2015 and my guess is that — and the new Apple Music service that followed — complicated matters. Figuring out how to bring the past into the future is no easy task.

The technology all seems to be in place, though. Continuity works by using Bluetooth LE to broadcast activities, then activates the internet, iCloud, or direct peer-to-peer Wi-Fi transfer to make that activity's content available on other devices to continue those activities. So, iMore for Safari on the Mac would trigger Safari for iPhone to load iMore as well. Keynote on iPad would cause Keynote on your Mac to check for the current file in iCloud Drive and, if so, grab it. A half-composed Mail message on the iPhone might push the content of that Mail message right to the iPad.

Doing peer-to-peer Wi-Fi transfer is okay with small files. Trying to push a 1.3 GB TV show file or 3-4 GB movie file, however, is an entirely different matter. That why I've kept this constrained to iTunes and not talked about audio and video files in general.

iTunes content is kept on iCloud's servers: That's' how we're able to re-download music, movies, and TV shows we've already purchased. It's also how Apple Music can just start playing almost any song any time you ask for it.

So, extending Handoff to iTunes could take advantage of the existing systems. Apple ID would make sure who is involved in the transaction and that they're authorized. Bluetooth LE would take care of proximity and broadcast that you're listening or watching, what you're listening or watching, and where you are in the timeline. Pick up another device, and that request goes to Apple's servers, finds the iTunes content, and starts streaming from exactly that point.

Because Netflix and other streaming services work in a similarly cloud-centric way, my guess is they could work in a similar way for Handoff as well. You can already open the Netflix app on any device, find the show you were watching, and resume it. Handoff would just make the process faster — you wouldn't have to open the app and find the show, you'd just swipe or tap and keep watching.

Continuity, like extensibility and on-demand, is transformative. It unbundles apps, letting their discreet functionality come to where ever you are. It decouples the interface and changes it from pull to push. It's going to change the way we use our devices.

We've already gotten the next generation Apple Music service and the all-new Apple TV. All we need now is Handoff to tie it all together. Here's hoping iOS 10 can deliver!

We've filed a feature request for Handoff for iTunes with Apple: rdar://25024354. Dupes appreciated. Also comments below if it's also a feature you'd like to see!

Continuity was designed to make your iPhone, iPad, and Mac work more easily, quickly, and seamlessly together. Instant Hotspot does just that by making personal tethering even more personal. It's meant for just you, so it requires you to be logged into iCloud on all your devices, and be within Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) range. But once you are, sharing your iPhone or cellular iPad's LTE connection is not only simpler and faster than ever, but more secure.

Devices identified

When you log into an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with your Apple ID, iCloud creates and stores a destination signaling identifier (DSID) and rotates it periodically. Any time you go to Wi-Fi settings to look for a network to join, the device begins broadcasting a personal hotspot identifier based on the DSID.

Your other devices, as long as they're logged into the same Apple ID, and are within Wi-Fi range, will respond to that broadcast and, if they have cellular networking enabled, will respond that they're available.

Using BT LE means the devices have to be close by, and using your Apple ID means they have to be your devices, or at least devices you have possession of and are logged into.

So, if you go to Wi-Fi in your Mac menu bar, and your iPhone is close by, it will come back as available.

Making the spot hot

Devices available for Instant Hotspot are listed separately from both standard Wi-Fi access points and traditional Wi-Fi tethering options. They get their own Personal Hotspot sub-menu under available options.

Choose a Personal Hotspot, and your device will send a request to the cellular device to turn on Wi-Fi tethering. The communications is secured using standard Bluetooth encryption and the transmission is encrypted using a method similar to iMessage.

The cellular device then responds with connection information and the hotpot link is established. There's no SSID or password required because both devices are logged into your Apple ID and that serves as authentication and authorization.

At that point your Mac or Wi-Fi iPad will be connected to your iPhone or cellular iPad, and you'll be up and running on the internet.

The bottom line

Instant hotspot is still a Wi-Fi tether, and your internet activity will be transacted using the same level of security, and with the same expectation of privacy as any other wireless internet connection. Since you're not sharing it with everyone else on the coffee shop network, though, the risks of snooping or sniffing your activity are much lower.

That's not unique to instant hotspot, of course. What's unique is achieving that level of security and privacy so quickly and easily.

Thanks to a change that eliminates the need to be on the same Wi-Fi network to use Continuity, it looks like users will be able to make and receive calls and texts on their Mac or iPad over a cellular connection with iOS 9. This will require the support of carriers, and T-Mobile is confirming that the feature is currently working with its network in the iOS 9 beta. From The Verge:

With the ability to respond to calls and texts even if you leave your phone at home, one can't deny that this is a bit of a game-changer for Continuity's usefulness. While T-Mobile is the first to roll out support for the feature (while iOS 9 is in beta form, no less), it's hard to imagine that the other carriers are far behind. It's unclear if they may add support during the beta, or sometime after iOS 9 goes live.

Source: The Verge

As I get more comfortable with my Apple Watch during day-to-day activities, I've started to figure out what tasks I like doing on it, along with the ones better suited to a larger screen. What I appreciate most about the Watch is that even as a 1.0 product it knows its limitations — it tackles the stuff it can, and offloads the rest to your iPhone.

Siri, Phone, Messages, and Handoff

When I first read the Apple Watch user guide, I was disappointed to learn that Siri on the Watch was more limited than the same interface on my iPhone: There were certain phrases — like booking tables, for instance — that the smaller device just wasn't equipped to deal with.

Before I got the Watch, I thought this would be disappointing. But I've become grateful for the feature limitations, in a way. I still wish I could book a table — c'mon, there's an Open Table app for the Watch and everything! — but when it comes to other, more complicated queries, I appreciate the Watch's reminders that I should probably be doing this on a more capable device.

The real beauty is that you can pass that query off to your iPhone with Handoff when you swipe up, rather than having to redictate it on the phone. Because of the Watch's superior microphone, I've found myself using it for 99 percent of my Siri queries, then handing off to my iPhone when necessary.

Of course, there are a few things that Siri does independently on the Watch. If you dictate a message or ask to call someone on your wrist, those tasks will happen there — not on your iPhone — though you can always use Handoff to return to your smartphone.

For instance, if I ask the Watch to "Tell Ricky", it opens that person's thread in Messages and asks me whether I'd like to send a dictated message or emoji. If I instead decide I want to reply on my phone, I can swipe up using the Handoff icon on the iPhone's the lock screen and instantly swap over to that messages thread on my larger screen.

The Watch manages notification overload well, too: If you're looking at your phone, it automatically knows you're likely to see an alert on that bigger screen and doesn't need to ping you on your wrist as well. This is a feature I've been wanting on my Macs for ages, and I'm happy to see a variation finally show up in the Watch — it makes me hopeful for the future of continuity on Apple's other devices.

It also has deftly smart handling when it comes to phone calls. When you see a new call come in, you can either answer it directly on your wrist, or use the Digital Crown to scroll down and tap "Answer on iPhone" — do this, and your iPhone will hold the call until you can put your hands on it.

I used "Answer on iPhone" the other day to delay taking a work call while I was grabbing some tea in the kitchen, and it worked fantastically: The other person was briefly placed on hold while I took my tea bag out and headed back to my desk, where I was then was able to answer the call on my phone. (If you've misplaced your iPhone, there's even a Ping button on the Watch's hold screen to make its LED flash and ring so that you can use it to answer the call.)

I've also started calls on my Watch and used Handoff to seamlessly pass that call back to my iPhone. The process, overall, feels much slicker and smoother than Handoff between an iPhone or iPad and Mac. It's speedy, too — in part I'll bet because Watch apps run off your iPhone — and gets you on the right device for your work ASAP.

Exercise-tracking

Continuity plays a big role in helping manage all that health data you're constantly collecting on your Watch, too. Checking your day's progress is easy enough on the Watch, but the screen isn't big enough to for you to properly analyze your progress week-to-week. That's why the companion Activity app on your iPhone exists: It holds all your Activity awards and your data, giving you an easy way to view how you've been doing with your goals.

The Watch keeps me accountable day-to-day. The Activity app makes me accountable week-to-week and month-to-month, and hopefully year-to-year. By seeing my progress at a glance, I'm more inclined to want to keep up the pattern and continue meeting — or exceeding — my set goals. Activity is also a much friendlier app than Apple's gigantic data haven, Health, and I'm more inclined to look at it on a daily basis. (Though, like Rene, I really want leaderboards and social interactivity. Let me brag about my crazy derby workouts!)

The Apple Watch as second screen

The more I use my Watch, the more I realize that it's not so much another device as it is another screen for my ecosystem — a way to get information that's best viewed at a glance, rather than digging through app folders and having the possibility of getting distracted by Twitter.

I've been equating it recently to having a second monitor on your desk for your Mac: It holds the important stuff you want on a second screen, and it can operate independently, but you can bring the stuff you're working on back to your main computer screen in a jiffy. There's something really delightful about being able to send text messages or hold phone conversations entirely on your Watch and still be able to have your iPhone ready to tackle a different task.

You can do a lot on the Watch without your iPhone, but there are some tasks a bigger screen just makes sense for — and the Handoff experience is so seamless, it makes the process comfortable and reassuring to the end-user. I don't know if my mother will ever use Handoff from her phone to her Mac, but it took five minutes before she was playing around with Handoff from Watch to phone when I was in town.

I don't think the Watch is perfect: There are lots of little tasks I'd like to be able to do in version two, and third-party apps are significantly slower than they really should be. But Apple's built a compelling promise here for Handoff and its right device for the right task mantra. I can only hope that the company takes some lessons from its Watch Handoff experience and incorporates them into the Mac OS, too.

One of OS X Yosemite's new Continuity features is the ability to accept (and make) phone calls when your iPhone is nearby. Call Relay is an incredibly useful feature, but when all of your devices ring with the same ringtone, it can get distracting. Here's how to give your Mac a distinct ringtone.

When it's activated, Call Relay makes your Mac an extension of your iPhone. You can take and make calls using the FaceTime application on your Mac, saving you from having to dive for your phone every time it rings.

By default, the Mac uses the "Opening" ringtone whenever you get an incoming call. But you can change that, just like you can change the ringtone on your phone.

To change the Mac's ringtone

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
2. Open the Applications folder.
3. Double-click on the FaceTime application.
4. Click on the FaceTime menu.
5. Select Preferences... (or alternately type command ,).
6. Click on the Ringtone menu.
7. Select a ringtone you'd prefer to use. Each one you select will play so you can hear it.
8. Close Preferences when you're done.

That's about all there is to it. You can choose from over four dozen different distinct ringtones.

Have any trouble? Let me know.

Continuity is one of the major new features across Apple's new operating systems, iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, and the one that's best embodied Apple's "integration" theme. It lets you AirDrop just about anything between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It makes hotspots instantly available. It relays your phone calls and SMS/MMS between your iPhone and your iPad or Mac, and back again. And it lets you handoff activity between all of your devices. Yet, for all Continuity does, it's still a version 1.0. That means there are some frustrations, but also a lot of hopes, dreams and wants for the future. Here they are!

Are you using Continuity?

Peter: I do, but I don't use it as much as I like, because the support just isn't there for it yet from third parties. But as a core feature of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite that's supported by core Apple apps, I find it very useful.

Ally: I use Continuity calling on a regular basis. I love being able to answer phone calls on my iMac and respond to a regular SMS from weird Android people without having to break my train of thought. I'd love to use it for Mail but my odd workflow is a problem. I use Mailbox on my Mac and the default Mail app on my iPhone and iPad, which obviously creates a problem for myself.

Rene: I'm with both Ally and Peter. I don't use Handoff as much as I'd like to simply because not enough apps are supporting it yet. Right now it's mostly for Safari and Mail, when I want to continue reading or writing as I step away from my Mac and head out with my iPhone. I use AirDrop not only with friends and family, but to send files from my iPhone to Mac. Instant Hotspot has made working from coffee shops a pleasure. Call and SMS/MMS relay is something I use a lot. I don't have many green bubble friends — they're all on iMessage! — but being able to answer them — okay, Phil — from my Mac is stellar.

Ren: I want to use Continuity more than I find I actually use it on a day-to-day basis. I think it's a feature I still need to fully integrate into my workflow for it to become natural, and it's not widely-enough available yet to be instantly comfortable for me. I find I use it a lot more iOS to Mac (for things like Mail, Messages, Safari, and the third-party app Pixelmator) than I do vice-versa — in part because I think the Dock's continuity indicator is a little more visible than iOS's hidden multitasking screen or Lock screen icon.

What's your favorite app for Handoff?

Rene: I want it to be Pixelmator, but on the Mac I'm still trapped by decades of Photoshop muscle memory. Handoff, however, is a transformative enough feature that I'm now going through the process of weaning myself from Adobe so I can take advantage of it. (It's almost as awkward as transitioning from Corel to Adobe was back in the 90s, but far more fun.) Right now I'm really enjoying the iWork apps. Just the other day I stepped away from my iMac, picked up my iPad Air 2, and kept right on working with Keynote on the couch. Moving from mouse to multitouch not only changed context, but unlocked ideas.

Ally: I'm like Rene and have Photoshop ingrained into my life. I haven't yet tried to pull myself away, but Pixelmator makes me want to. I haven't found a ton of apps that I use regularly that support Handoff, which is a shame. Hopefully that'll change in the near future.

Ren: I'm going to join the Pixelmator chorus, because I think it's really darn cool. I will always prefer a touch screen to a mouse when it comes to video, audio, or photo work — something about tactile feedback just feels more natural when it comes to those areas — and Pixelmator is the perfect app for it. With a Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader, I can import images directly from my DSLR and edit them in Pixelmator, then send the finished product over to my Mac for any last tweaks and export. I'm really loving the workflow, and the way it incorporates my iPad.

Peter: You should try Continuity Keypad. It's an app on my Mac that enables me to dial phone numbers from my connected iPhone without storing them as contacts or opening the FaceTime application and doing it manually.

What about Continuity frustrates you?

Peter: Lack of consistency is really maddening. Sometimes Continuity features work flawlessly for me, sometimes I have to reboot devices to get them to work, sometimes I have to sign in and out of iCloud to get them to work right. I just get the sense that it's not fully baked.

Ren: If Continuity "just worked" the way that Apple dreams it could, it would be lovely. But there are technical issues, and incompatible devices — I had Continuity shut down because I hadn't updated OS X to the 10.10.1 release. A Continuity troubleshooter (à la Network Diagnostics on OS X) that said "Oh, hey, your devices need to update their system version" or "I don't see this device over Bluetooth" or "You're using something that's too old for Handoff" would do wonders at easing connection frustrations.

Ally: I haven't personally had many issues with Continuity, but I know from writing many troubleshooting how tos on it, I'm in the minority. I'm not a fan of how call relay can ring long after I answer one of my devices. Then again, this is an issue that's plagued FaceTime for as long as I can remember.

Rene: It's especially awesome when you're using AirPlay and suddenly your Apple TV starts to ring! I haven't had any problems with Continuity, not even in the betas. That said, Continuity is a complex process that involves a lot of moving parts, including Bluetooth Low Energy, peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, Apple Push Notification service, and iCloud — and sometimes those parts don't play together successfully. That makes diagnosing problems tough.

What would you like to see from Continuity in the future?

Peter: Better reliability and consistency throughout the process; better troubleshooting for when things go wrong. And more broad support from third-party developers.

Ally: A more consistent and reliable experience. Even though I haven't had many issues, I'm well aware that others have. Toggling switches and rebooting all the things isn't a very good user experience and hopefully it's something Apple will address before adding more features to the mix.

Rene: That's it, I'm turning this roundtable around right now and driving Peter and Ally home! This is supposed to be the part where we dream wonderful, audacious dreams about the future. This is supposed to be the part where we lust after Handoff for iTunes and for Apple TV, so our music, TV shows, and Videos can transition from device to device just as we do. Where iLife lets us shift editing video, photos, and music between our iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Where Camera relay lets us take photos and videos on one device from another, and where Instant Screen Share lets me control one from another. That's what this part is supposed to be, right, Ren?

Ren: Yes! I mean, I'd love to see better reliability from Continuity in the future — who doesn't want their cool science-fiction-esque features to work better? But I also want more creativity from third-party app-makers and Apple alike. Pixelmator's a great example of an app that starts playing in the pro field; what about Final Cut Pro for iPad, Cupertino? (Though, honestly, I'd settle for a version of iMovie that could sync projects between desktop and mobile.) Or using Continuity with Xcode? (Imagine how cool a module-based Xcode for iOS could be.) It seems like a feature ripe for creative professionals — people who by nature start their work in the field, rather than at a desk. I'm sure app developers are hard at work, and fingers crossed we'll see some more Continuity magic show up in the next year.

Handoff is the cornerstone of Apple's Continuity feature — a way to make your iPhone, iPad, and Mac integrate and work better together. It lets you start an activity on one device and pick up right where you left off on another device. But... sync has done that for years, hasn't it? What makes Handoff better and more convenient? Let's break it down.

Sync works by pushing data — like email or messages — from the cloud down to all your devices, or by pushing changes — like bookmarks and documents — from one of your devices up to the cloud, then to all your other devices. As such, if you get an email on your iPhone, you can respond to that email from your Mac. If you create a presentation on your Mac, you can edit it on your iPad.

But sync isn't perfect. If you put down one device and pick up another, your data will be synced, but not the activity: Work on a presentation and switch to your iPad, and your last save will sync to your other devices, but it won't open up to the specific slide you were editing on your Mac. In short: What you were working on will be there, but that you were working on it won't be right there.

That's where Handoff comes in. Handoff keeps track of not only what you're doing, but what you're doing at that very moment. When you switch devices, it lets you bring that activity along with you.

With iCloud sync, when an email or message comes in on your iPhone and you start to reply but then realize you'd much rather write on your iPad or Mac, you have to save the draft, switch devices, find the Mail app, launch it, look for the draft, and open it — and only then can you start working again.

With Handoff you hit the Mail icon on whatever device you'd like to resume your draft on, and keep right on typing.

With sync, if you save a Keynote presentation on your Mac and then pick it up on your iPad, you have to find the Keynote app, launch it, open iCloud Drive, open your presentations, swipe down to the slide you want to edit, and only then can you start editing.

With Handoff, you hit the Keynote icon and keep right on editing.

The same things hold true for App Store apps: With sync, if you save an article to read later in Pocket on iPad then get up to leave with your iPhone, you have to find the Pocket app, launch it, and find the article to keep reading. With Handoff, you just hit the Pocket icon and you're good to go.

In short: Handoff lets you avoid hunting around for the app you were using or the content you were using in it. It doesn't just push the data down, it lets you pull the activity across.

Sync has no real concept of when or where. Handoff, for security and privacy reasons, very much does. Sync is great if you just want to make sure all your stuff is backed up and available anytime, anywhere. But Handoff is better when you want to continue what you're doing right now, right where you are.

Once you get used to incorporating Handoff into your day-to-day routine, it's easy to use it to your advantage. You can switch devices to switch context. You can go from mouse and keyboard to direct multitouch manipulation and back whenever the circumstances dictate or mood strikes you. It can become as much about switching your toolsets as continuing your activities, and that can be tremendously helpful for both productivity and creativity.

And it's all just an icon swipe or click away, thanks to Continuity and Handoff.

With Continuity you can relay your SMS/MMS and calls from your iPhone to your iPad or Mac. That means, if your iPhone isn't close by, you don't have to go running for it just to take or make a text or call. As long as you have an iPhone and are logged into the same Apple ID on all your devices, you can do both right from your iPad and iPad. It's not only easy to do, it's private and secure.

Keeping it relayed

SMS/MMS and calls are highly personal. If someone communicates with us, we want to make sure it's only with us. That's why Apple uses our Apple ID to make sure only the devices we're logged into are the ones that can send or receive our texts and calls.

For SMS/MMS relay, all devices have to not only be signed into our Apple ID in general, but signed in with iMessage in specific as well. For call relay, they have to be signed in with FaceTime in specific as well.

Texts protected

When you're logged into iMessage on all your devices, and your iPhone receives SMS/MMS, it will automatically forward them through Apple's messaging service and on to your iPad and/or Mac. It essentially turns SMS/MMS into iMessages, but still identifies them as SMS/MMS and colors them green so both the system and you know how they originated.

If you send a message from your iPad or Mac, it's sent up to Apple's messaging service, down to your iPhone, and then out over your carrier's network as a standard SMS/MMS.

As long as all your devices are all on the internet, even if they're on different networks, it will work. And it'll all be protected using the same end-to-end encryption as iMessage itself.

Calls for all

When you're logged into FaceTime on all your devices, your iPhone will send a message via the Apple Push Notification (APN) system to all your iPads and/or Macs at the same time. If any of them on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone, they'll present you with the incoming call interface.

Answer on your iPad or Mac, and your iPhone will transfer the call over using peer-to-peer technology similar to FaceTime audio.

Place a call on your iPad or Mac, and your iPhone will likewise be alerted over APN, and then relayed the voice data over peer-to-peer link.

In both directions, APN uses the same end-to-end encryption as iMessage, and the transfer uses a secure peer-to-peer link as FaceTime.

The bottom line

While SMS/MMS and call relay work differently — texts simply require all your devices to be online, calls require them to be on the same Wi-Fi network — they both ensure that only your iPads and Macs can access your messages and calls. They both also encrypt not only the notification of messages and calls, but the transmission as well.

That means all your communications are kept private and secure, which is just how you want them.

Handoff is part of Continuity, which is designed to make iPhones, iPads, and Macs work together more quickly, easily, and seamlessly than ever before. Rather than putting the same interface across all their devices, or making the web the center of the universe, Handoff is keeping things personal. Devices have to be logged into your Apple ID. You have to be within Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) proximity. And instead of automatically pushing your data out, Handoff waits for you to elect to use it. That all makes it private, but what makes it secure?

Your Apple identity

Your Apple ID (also known as your iCloud or iTunes account) lets Apple know which devices are yours. Log into iCloud on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with that ID, and Apple knows you own those devices. That way, only your hardware ever has access to your data.

This means if you live or work with other people who also have Apple devices, you never have to worry about your data and their data getting confused or co-mingled. Your stuff is yours and yours alone.

Proximity protection

When two or more of your Apple devices come close together, they establish a BT LE connection for Handoff. Proximity is what helps protect your privacy: Handoff can only share data with your devices when they're close enough for you to almost certainly have physical control over them.

This way, you don't have to worry about something popping up on your work Mac when you're using your iPad at home, or on an iPad at school when you're at the coffee shop on your iPad. Handoff will only make activities available to devices that are within reach.

Keys and chains

When Handoff establishes a connection between your devices, it's established out-of-band using the Apple Push Notification (APN) service. That means it uses a similar type of security to iMessage, generating a symmetric 256-bit AES key for each device and storing it within each device's keychain. Apple claims it also protects this communication against replay attacks as well.

Once the connection is made, Handoff will advertise new activities as they occur. It doesn't highlight any data or documents, however — just the app that you're using. So, for example, if you're browsing a web page, Handoff will let other devices know you're using Safari. If you're working on a presentation, Handoff will let those devices know you're using Keynote.

Most of the time, communication happens over BT LE using the aforementioned encryption. Occasionally, if BT LE isn't optimal, APN can also handle the communication, again using the same encryption.

Push vs. pull

The real beauty of Handoff is that very little data gets transferred unless you elect to have it do so. It doesn't push your activities and data between your devices at all times; instead, it just lets you know an activity is available to resume, when and if you choose to. You, the person, still have to expressly pull that activity and data over.

You do that by swiping up on your iOS device's Lock screen, or swiping left and tapping on the Handoff card within that device's multitasking app switcher. On the Mac, you can click on the Handoff icon in the Dock, or use CMD-Tab to select the Handoff icon within the application switcher.

In every case, it takes an explicit action from you, the user. Only then will Handoff actually "hand off".

Securing the transfer

Once triggered, Handoff will transfer small amounts of data using BT LE or APN along with the same encryption that handles the connection. For example, the URL of the web page you're reading, or iCloud document you're editing.

Handoff also can transfer information between websites and apps, but before it does, the app has to prove it controls the domain of the website. In other words, the Facebook app has to prove it controls the Facebook.com website. (This is done via Apple's established mechanism for shared web credentials).

Transferring larger amounts of data —for example, a filed attached to an email draft — uses peer-to-peer Wi-Fi, similar to AirDrop, along with standard transport layer security (TLS). Handoff begins with the same BT LE connection, then engages Wi-Fi until the transfer is complete.

Bottom line

If you don't want to use it, you can easily disable Handoff on both iPhone and iPad and Mac. Otherwise, Handoff does everything it can to make sure you own the devices, have them in close proximity, and want to move your activities over. That maintains your privacy. The encrypted connection and transfer maintains your security. You do have to trust both iCloud for your login and APN for messaging, but if that works for you, Handoff will work for you.

Continuity's call relay lets you answer a phone call from your iPhone on your iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. It's great for when an important call comes in and your iPhone is out of reach. It's not so great when you have 3 or 4 iPads, iPods, and Macs around you when a call comes in and they all start to ring — and ring, and ring — all at once. Luckily, if you don't want an iPad or Mac to ring, you can easily turn call relay off. You just need to know where to look...

How to turn off Continuity call relay on your iPad or iPod touch

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Tap on FaceTime.
3. Turn Off the option for iPhone Cellular Calls.

How to turn off Continuity call relay on your Mac

1. Double-click on the FaceTime icon in your Mac's dock. (If you don't see it there, just hit CMD-Space and use Spotlight Search to find it instead.)
2. Click on FaceTime in the menu bar.
3. Click on Preferences...
4. Uncheck the box labeled iPhone Cellular Calls.

More help with Continuity

Continuity, built into iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite can also relay SMS/MMS to your iPad or Mac, let you connect via Instant Hotspot, AirDrop between all your Apple devices, and handoff activities as you move from one to the other. Here's how it all works:

• Ultimate guide to Continuity

If you're running iOS 8.1 on your iPhone or iPad and have OS X Yosemite on your Mac, you can now use your cellular connection for a new feature called Instant Hotspot. The main appeal is that it can automatically detect all your devices so you don't have to fiddle with tethering settings. However, some people have been experiencing connection issues or can't get the feature working at all. Here are some steps you can try in order to get Instant Hotspot working correctly!

Before beginning, remember that you must be running OS X Yosemite on your Mac and iOS 8.1 or newer on your iOS devices in order for Instant Hotspot to work.

1. Ensure your device is compatible with Instant Hotspot

In order to use Instant Hotspot, you need to have a compatible iOS device and a compatible Mac running OS X Yosemite. Be sure your devices meet this requirements.

• iPhone - iPhone 5 or later
• iPad - iPad 4 or later, your iPad must have cellular connectivity — this means wifi only models will not work
• iPod touch - iPod touch 5th generation only
• iMac - 2012 models or newer
• MacBook Air - 2012 models or newer
• MacBook Pro - 2012 models or newer
• Mac Pro - 2013 models or newer
• Mac mini - 2012 models or newer

If you're sure that your model falls within these requirements, continue on.

2. Assure you are on a compatible data plan with your carrier

In order to use Instant Hotspot, you'll need to be using a data plan with your carrier that supports tethering, since that's essentially what Instant Hotspot is. In order to do this, check with your carrier to make sure that you're on a plan that allows tethering. If you aren't, you'll need to change your plan before being able to use the feature.

3. Make sure both wifi and Bluetooth are enabled

You'll need to make sure you have wifi and Bluetooth enabled on both your Mac and your iPhone or iPad in order for Instant Hotspot to work. So be sure both are enabled on all your devices before moving on any further. If they are and you still can't get a connection, continue on.

4. Reboot all the things

Many times, a simple reboot fixes many problems and for some folks, this is all it'll take to get Instant Hotspot working. So completely shut down your Mac and reboot it. Then reboot your iOS device that you're trying to use Instant Hotspot with by holding down the Power button and Home button until you see the Apple logo.

5. Change the name of your iPhone or iPad

For some users, simply changing the name of their iPhone or iPad via the Settings app seems to get Instant Hotspot working. Follow these steps to change the name of your iPhone or iPad:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on General.
3. Tap on About.
4. Tap on Name
5. Type in the new name and tap Done on the keyboard.
6. Refresh your wifi connections on your Mac to see if your iPhone or iPad shows up now. If not, reboot all the things again and check one more time.

If it's still not working, proceed to the next step.

6. Reset network settings on your iPhone or iPad

Resetting the network settings on your iPhone or iPad can sometimes clear up issues with how your devices are communicating not only with your cellular carrier, but with other devices. Just remember that this will clear out all wifi hotspot passwords and connected Bluetooth devices as well, so you'll have to re-enter those.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on General.
3. Tap on Reset — it's located all the way at the bottom of the page.
4. Tap on Reset Network Settings.
5. Type in your passcode if asked.
6. Confirm you'd like to reset your network settings.

Were you able to get Instant Hotspot working?

After trying the above steps, were you able to resolve your issues with Instant Hotspot? If so, be sure to let me know in the comments what step worked for you! And if you didn't, or found something else that worked, let me know that too!

Continuity Keypad is a new utility, currently in beta, for your Mac designed to help you place phone calls using OS X Yosemite's new ability to make calls through your iPhone. It's dead simple, just a giant keypad right on your Mac.

Continuity Keypad allows you to call and redial from the app. You enter a number, using either the software buttons or your keyboard's number row or pad. The either press the green button at the bottom of the app, or hit Return on your keyboard. You'll see a banner from your Mac with the contact or new number that you're about to call, and you can select to go ahead with the call or cancel. You can save new contacts from Keypad, as well as redial and return calls.

The developer has said that they don't store any of your private information, and nothing is ever sent to a server. While Continuity Keypad is currently in beta, it has already been submitted for approval in the Mac App Store (the beta version hasn't been signed, either, which means you may have to adjust your Mac's Gatekeeper setting in the Security & Privacy system preference before it can run). The release version will be available for $0.99, and will have more features, but exactly what those are is not yet clear.

What do you think of Continuity Keypad? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Continuity Keypad

Handoff and Wi-Fi calling are two new features of iOS 8 (and the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus). Unfortunately they don't play very well together. If you've run into problems getting Handoff to work right after trying Wi-Fi calling, here's how to fix it.

Handoff is a new set of iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite integration tools that let your Mac and iOS devices to work better together. Handoff is what makes it possible for you to start typing an email on your iPad and finish it on your Mac without missing a beat.

Handoff also what will allow you to make and receive phone calls using your iPad or Mac (once OS X Yosemite is out in the world). And that's where we run into a bit of a wrinkle.

Wi-Fi calls are another new feature of iOS 8. The feature lets your iPhone use your local Wi-Fi network to send and receive calls, instead of relying on your cell carrier's closest tower. The feature has debuted in iOS 8 with T-Mobile in the United States and EE in the U.K., and it's coming to other carriers in the coming months.

Wi-Fi calls and Handoff both depend on a common element: Wi-Fi. Which is why when you turn on Wi-Fi calls, you'll see this message pop up on your phone:

Handoff's ability to let other devices use your iPhone to make and take calls is interrupted when you turn on Wi-Fi calls. When you try to initiate a call from another device that's supported by Handoff in iOS 8 or OS X Yosemite, you'll get an error message like this one:

Here's the fix.

To restore Handoff calls on your iPhone

1. Tap Settings
2. Tap FaceTime
3. Tap iPhone Cellular Calls to turn it on.
4. A notification will appear telling you that Wi-Fi calling will be turned off. Click OK.

That's it! You should now be able to send and receive calls on your Handoff-connected devices, through your iPhone. The next time you use Wi-Fi calling you'll need to reset this setting in FaceTime before Handoff calls will work again.

It seems a bit confusing. Hopefully over time Apple will figure out a more elegant way to handle this. But for now, this should help. If you have any questions, fire away!

See also:

• Handoff — Everything you need to know!
• Can't get Continuity calling or Handoff working in iOS 8? Here's the fix!
• Making and receiving phone calls on iOS 8 for iPad and OS X Yosemite: Explained
• How to use Wi-Fi calling in iOS 8

Continuity and Handoff are both new iOS 8 features that make for a more seamless experience than ever when it comes to using multiple devices. Continuity lets you answer phone calls that come in on your iPhone on your iPad, and soon on your Mac as well through Yosemite. Handoff, one of the major elements of Continuity, lets you start a task on one device, and pick up where you left off on another. Unfortunately, some folks seem to be having issues using either of them after upgrading to iOS 8. Luckily, there's a pretty easy fix!

How to fix Continuity and Handoff issues with iOS 8

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS 8.
2. Tap on General.
3. Tap on Handoff & Suggested Apps.
4. Turn the Handoff option Off and then back On again.
5. Tap General at the top to return to the previous menu.
6. Tap Settings at the top to return to the previous menu.
7. Tap on FaceTime.
8. Turn the iPhone Cellular Calls option Off and then back On again.
9. Reboot your iPhone or iPad.
10. Repeat this process with every device you'd like to use.
11. Try placing a test call to see if the issue is resolved.

For most folks, this seems to be solving the problem. Keep in mind that both your iPhone and iPad must be running iOS 8 and be supported. Per Apple's website:

So give the fix above a try and let me know in the comments if it worked for you!

There are a lot of cool features coming to iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite this fall. One of the most hotly anticipated is Handoff, which enables you to pick up where you left off in an email, a document and other work between iOS and OS X devices. Handoff is elegantly choreographed dance between devices, operating systems and protocols. It's partly dependent on Bluetooth 4.0, the most recent widespread deployment of the popular short-distance wireless communication protocol, which includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE). So, how can you tell if your Mac is properly equipped to take advantage of it?

Bluetooth 4.0 is included in most phones, iPod touches and iPads that will be capable of running iOS 8 when it comes out this fall. (The iPad 2 supports Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, but all other iOS 8-capable devices are equipped with Bluetooth 4.0.)

Unfortunately, it's not quite that clear cut on the Mac side of things. The cutoff starts somewhere in 2011:

• The Mac mini and MacBook Air were both updated with Bluetooth 4.0 support in 2011.
• The MacBook Pro and iMac added it a year later in 2012.
• The Mac Pro languished without it until the new black model debuted in December 2013.

You can check for yourself if you're not exactly sure which Mac model you have. It's a little convoluted, so bear with me and follow these instructions to find out.

To determine your Mac's Bluetooth version

1. Click the  menu.
2. Select About This Mac.
3. Click on the More Info... button.
4. Click on the System Report... button.
5. Select Bluetooth from the sidebar on the left, underneath "Hardware."
6. Scan down the list of information until you find "LMP Version."

If your Mac is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0, LMP Version will say 0x6. Anything lower than that is an older version of Bluetooth.

Does your Mac come with Bluetooth 4.0, or are you going to need a new system to take full advantage of Yosemite and iOS 8 when they're released this fall? Post your thoughts in the comments.

Continuity is one of the most important features in both iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite and one of the most important features in Continuity is call answering. Sure, Handoff is great, as is cross-compatible AirDrop and Instant Hotspot, and keeping in touch with our green bubbled SMS/MMS friends and family. But being able to use your Mac and iPad as if they were iPhones? Being able to call Dr. Dre from your desktop? That's magic. And here's how it works!

Why voice calling matters

iPhones have full on cellular voice radios. That's what lets them make and receive calls over the traditional telephone network. iPads can optionally have cellular data radios, but that doesn't give them access to the telephone network. Macs haven't yet been given any cellular radios of any kind. iPads and Macs can both use Apple's FaceTime Audio service, or other voice-over-IP services like Skype, and that works great if you initiate or get a FaceTime or Skype call. But it doesn't help you at all if your iPhone rings and you're sitting across the room with your iPad or at your Mac.

Continuity's call making and answering does.

Apple ID and Wi-Fi connected

Other devices have tried transporting phone calls from phones to tablets or computers before, typically over Bluetooth and using a protocol that essentially handled the tablet or computer as if it were a wireless headset. It was the same technology, for good or for ill, that worked on a speakerphone system or in-car hands-free setup. Apple isn't using Bluetooth or mimicking a headset. Apple's using Wi-Fi and mimicking a telephone system.

As long as you are logged into the same iCloud account (Apple ID) on all your devices, and your iPhone is within Wi-Fi range, you can use Continuity calling. Your Apple ID is to ensure that your phone calls can only ever be made or taken on your devices. The Wi-Fi network not only allows for the transport, but makes it highly likely your devices are in your possession, or at least in your vicinity, which likewise keeps your calls personal and secure.

The end result is, whether it's in your pants pocket, your bag across the room, or plugged in on the charger across the house, any phone call that comes in can be answered on your iPhone or iPad instead.

It should be noted that Apple hasn't mentioned Bluetooth in regards to Continuity SMS/MMS, only Wi-Fi network. However, that doesn't mean Bluetooth isn't used to handle negotiation or pairing (the way it is for the new, easier Continuity tethering). I'll be experimenting some more to find out.

Call display, call answer, call defer

When your iPhone rings, Continuity can show you the name and number of whose calling on your iPad or Mac. It works just like the call display you're used to (provided you have call display service from your carrier and the identity information is available). Also, just like your iPhone, if the caller is in your contacts you'll see your contact picture for that caller, making them instantly recognizable even at a glance.

And just like on your iPhone, you can swipe the incoming call notification on your iPad, or click it on your Mac, to answer. Of course, if you're giving some big fancy keynote or are likewise busy and can't answer, you can choose to ignore the call, or even to respond with an iMessage or SMS message to let the caller know you'll get back to them ASAP. (Presumably, if you ignore the call on your iPad or Mac, it will get sent to voicemail, if available, on your iPhone.)

Call from contacts, calendar, or Safari

Making calls from your iPad or Mac is just as easy as receiving them. Any time you have a phone number in the built-in Contacts app, Calendar app, or Safari web browser, tapping or clicking on it will give you the option to call. Choose it and your call will be placed using the Wi-Fi connection to your iPhone, and your iPhone's connection to the telephone network.

Once a call is connected you'll see a time indicator — useful if you're counting local or long distance minutes — and you'll be told the call is "using your iPhone". Right below that is a sound wave just to add some visual flare.

You'll also get additional options, similar to what you get now on the iPhone. You can switch to a FaceTime video call, in which case the traditional telephone call is ended and the FaceTime call seamlessly connected in its place. You can also choose to mute the call so you can speak freely without the person on the other end hearing what you're saying, and end the call when you're done.

Bottom line

Apple hasn't shown off nor have they said whether Continuity calling will work with conference calls, though there was nothing in the demos that suggested an interface for handling them. However, starting off simply and adding functionality over time is a cornerstone of Apple's approach. The point being, this is a beginning, not an ending.

This fall millions of iPhones will ring and millions of people will be able to answer them on their iPads or Macs. Millions of people will also be able to place calls without reaching into their pockets, crossing the room to their bags, or sitting across the house tethered to their charging cable. If Continuity calling works as advertised — and we'll have to wait until the shipping version really gets hammered on to know for sure — then that's exactly the problem Apple will have solved.

If you've got an iPhone and an iPad or Mac, are you looking forward to making and taking calls on all your devices?

More of iOS 8: Explained

• Handoff in iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite: Explained
• Making and receiving phone calls on iOS 8 for iPad and OS X Yosemite: Explained
• Sending and receiving SMS/MMS on iOS 8 for iPad and OS X Yosemite: Explained
• AirDrop and Instant Hotspot in iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite: Explained
• QuickType keyboard in iOS 8: Explained
• Interactive notifications in iOS 8: Explained
• SceneKit in iOS 8: Explained
• Metal in iOS 8: Explained
• Widgets in iOS 8: Explained
• Share extensions in iOS 8: Explained
• Action extensions in iOS 8: Explained
• Inter-app photo and video editing in iOS 8: Explained
• Custom keyboards in iOS 8: Explained
• Family Sharing on iOS 8: Explained
• iCloud Drive and Document Picker for iOS 8: Explained
• Document provider extensions in iOS 8: Explained
• TestFlight in iOS 8: Explained
• Apple Maps in iOS 8: Explained
• iMessage in iOS 8: Explained
• Photos in iOS 8: Explained
• Spotlight in iOS 8: Explained
• Health in iOS 8: Explained
• Touch ID in iOS 8: Explained
• HomeKit in iOS 8: Explained
• Adaptive UI in iOS 8: Explained
• Manual camera controls in iOS 8: Explained

Handoff is a major element of Apple's "integration" theme, and of the new Continuity feature set for iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite, which also includes cross-compatible AirDrop, iPhone call and SMS handling on the iPad and Mac, and the new, much easier to connect, tethering service. Rather than trying to fit one interface across a range of different devices, or making the cloud the center of the universe, Apple is promising to transparently, seamlessly move whatever activity you're doing to whatever device you want to continue doing it with. It's a person-centric choice and a bold one, but if Apple delivers, it could forever change the way we use our iPhones, iPads, and Macs. So, how does Handoff work?

Your iCloud account, your devices

In order for Handoff to work you have to be logged into the same iCloud account on you iPhone, iPad, and/or Mac. That's how Handoff knows those devices all belong to the same person — you. Since your iCloud account (Apple ID) is also used for backup and restore, iMessage and FaceTime, iCloud email and Documents in the Cloud, and a lot more, it's a safe, reliable way to make sure you're really you and your devices are really your devices.

Being logged into the same iCloud account also means that, if you have documents stored on iCloud, they're available on all your devices already, so Handoff doesn't have to waste time and power pushing files around. It only has to push your current activity. (More on that later.)

Bluetooth LE and proximity

Handoff also requires that your iPhone, iPad, and/or Mac be within close proximity to each other. Devices are automagically paired via Bluetooth LE (Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy) when they come into range and activities are made available for Handoff for as long as they stay within that range.

Enforcing proximity is a good idea and one in keeping with Handoff's person-centric approach. It prevents private websites you're visiting, emails or messages you're composing, or documents you're working on from accidentally getting pulled over to a machine that's logged into your account, but at another location where it's not within your physical control. For example, if you're working at home, you don't need your stuff popping up on a device at school, or if you're at the coffee shop, you don't need it popping up on your work computer.

Proximity allows for both convenience and privacy, the best of both worlds.

Apple apps and Handoff

So far, Apple has announced that Handoff will work with the following apps:

• Mail
• Safari
• Pages
• Numbers
• Keynote
• Maps
• Messages
• Reminders
• Calendar
• Contacts

With them, you can start composing or reading an email or web site, editing a document, spread sheet or keynote, finding a location, typing a text, picking a reminder, entering an appointment, or looking up an address on your Mac and continue or finish it on your iPhone or iPad, or vice versa.

Apple hasn't yet announced any Handoff functionality for media, for example starting an iTunes playlist on your Mac and continuing it with the iTunes Music app, or starting a game on your iPhone and continuing mid-level on your iPad. Nor have they announced any Handoff features that would let you, for example, push a movie from the Apple TV to the iPad if you wanted to change rooms. (The reverse of AirPlay, which has to start on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.)

It's still early days, however, and every new feature has to start somewhere.

Third-party apps and Handoff

Apple has provided the same APIs (application programming interfaces) to developers that its using for its own apps. Developers need to specify which discreet actions are available to Handoff — precise activities like composing a tweet or reading an RSS item — and the apps involved all have to be owned by the same developer Team ID. That makes things secure for customers, so we don't have to worry about one app trying to intercept activity from another.

Handoff-capabale apps also have to be made available through the App Store or, alternatively on the Mac, signed by a registered developer. Again, that allows for security, and even a degree of flexibility.

Websites and Handoff

Handoff doesn't only work between apps but also between websites and apps. For example, if you're reading iMore.com or perusing Facebook.com on Safari on your Mac, and then pick up your iPhone to leave the room — assuming the developers have implemented it — the iMore or Facebook app will show up to accept the handoff.

Apple has provided APIs so that developers can prove they own their websites and apps, and that they're all related to each other. That secures both endpoints of the transaction.

To move to the browser, Handoff sends a URL (universal resource locator) from the originating device to the device where you want to resume your activity. Open the browser, load the URL, and you're right where you left off.

To move to a native app, activities specified on the website are sent over to the appropriate location in the associated app. Open the Facebook app, load the page you were looking at, and you're likewise where you left off.

Continuation streams

Apple also says developers can bi-directionally stream between two open instances of the same app on two different devices. That allows for continuous interaction, including read and write, between the original and current device. For example, so both devices to be used to work on the same activity at the same time.

How developers — and Apple — will make use of such streams remains to be seen...

An icon away

Handoff is based on actions. When an app or browser is launched, brought back to the foreground, or tabs are switched, Handoff identifies the current actions you're doing — composing an email, reading a particular web page, editing a Pages document, etc. — and starts to broadcast that activity.

Other devices within proximity identify the activity and call up the appropriate icon for it.

On the iPhone or iPad the icon is placed either on the bottom left of the Lock screen or, if the device is unlocked, to the left of the Home screen in the multitasking card interface (the one you get to by double clicking the Home button.)

On the Mac the icon is placed either to the left of the Dock or to the right of the application switcher (the one you get by hitting CMD + Tab.)

Once the icon is hit, Handoff will request the activity from the originating device. If you're using Documents in the Cloud, only the state needs to be transferred. If you're on the web, only the URL. Otherwise, whatever you're working on will get sent across. Once any necessary data is passed (presumably over direct Wi-Fi connection), you're taken to the app and your activity is resumed right where you left off.

For example, if you were composing an email on your iPhone and you walked within range of your Mac, the Mail.app icon would appear in a new segment to the left of your OS X Dock. Click on it and you'd be in OS X Mail, in the compose window, with the same email open and ready for you to finish, right where you left off.

If you were working on a Keynote on your Mac and you picked up your iPad, you'd see the Keynote app icon to the bottom left of your Lock screen. Hit it and you'd be taken to the Keynote app on the iPad, the same document open to the same slide you'd just been working on.

Security and privacy

Apple hasn't yet released any information on how Handoff is secured and kept private. However, given Apple's recent history with security and privacy, there's every reason to be optimistic. For example, Apple has previously explained how AirDrop, another service now marketed under the Continuity banner, handles security and privacy and it's beyond impressive:

Also, since Handoff appears on the Lock screen, how passcode, Touch ID, and enable/disable will be handled in Settings remains to be seen. (It's possible BT LE and proximity is allowing Handoff devices the potential to be treated as trusted devices for security purposes.)

Resources for developers

Apple has a preliminary Handoff Programming Guide available on the Apple Developer center{.nofollow} that explains in greater detail how Handoff works and how it can be implemented in third party apps.

There's also an excellent Adopting Handoff in iOS and OS X session available as part of Apple's WWDC 2014 video collection.

Bottom line

Handoff promises a fundamentally different approach to computing than Microsoft's "Windows Everywhere" or Google's "everything in the cloud". With Handoff, there's no convergence of interface or single truth kept on a server. Apple is keeping the Mac the Mac, and the iPhone and iPad the iPhone and iPad. They simply all integrate together so that your activities can go from device to device transparently, seamlessly, wherever you go.

At least that's the theory. iOS 8 is still in beta. Things aren't finished yet and they can and will change as Apple approaches release. So, we'll have to wait for this fall to see how Handoff really works.

With the new AirDrop and Handoff, Apple is creating an ecosystem to tie together users who own both an iOS and OS X device. New to OS X Yosemite is that you can share files by using AirDrop between a Mac and an iOS device like an iPhone. But that's just the start, a new Handoff capability extends these sharing capabilities further between these devices and platforms.

According to Apple, devices in close proximity to each other are aware of that. This allows you to pick up work where you left off so you can start an email on your iPhone, for instance, and then pick it up on your Mac if you need a larger screen and keyboard. Inside your OS X dock on your Mac, you'll see the Handoff to prompt you to finish the work that was started on your iPhone.

If you need to finish work that was started on your Mac from your iPhone, all you'll need to do is swipe up from the lock screen to pick up where you've left off.

Additionally, for those who don't want to deal with the clunky process of figuring out hotspots and tethering, now if your iPhone is next to your MacBook, you can just navigate to your WiFi settings on your MacBook and you'll automatically see your iPhone there right away.

What will be new and convenient is that now SMS messages will also show up in the Messages app on your iPad and Mac. Previously, only iMessage messages showed up, but now SMS and MMS messages will also appear in your Messages pane on your Mac or iPad.

The best part of handoff is the ability to make and receive calls from your Mac. If your iPhone is next to your Mac, you can click on a phone number on webpage and make the call from your Mac. If you get a call on your iPhone, your Mac will show the caller ID and you can use your Mac as a speakerphone.