Handoff is part of Continuity and 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, sit down with your Mac, and keep writing the exact same email. You can be reading iMore.com on Safari on your Mac, get up, grab your iPad, and keep reading right where you left off. 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. 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 via iCloud. In order to use Handoff, your iPhone(s) and iPad(s) need to be:
- Equipped with Bluetooth LE (iPhone 5 or later, iPad 4 or later, any iPad mini, iPod touch 5)
- Logged into the same Apple ID (iCloud account) on all your devices.
- Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Running OS X Yosemite 10.10 or later.
Bluetooth LE is required because it both 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.
Handoff compatibility
Apple has added Handoff support to the following built-in apps:
- Mail, Safari, Maps, Messages, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote
Developers can also add Handoff support to App Store apps. Check the app's description for compatibility.
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:
- Launch the Settings app from your Home screen
- Tap General.
- Tap Handoff & Suggested Apps
- Toggle Handoff to On.
To disable Handoff, repeat the same steps but set the toggle to Off.
How to access Handoff from the Lock Screen
When you're using an app on one device, and it's available for Handoff, its icon will appear on the bottom left of the Lock screen on your other devices.
- Touch the app icon on the bottom left of the Lock screen.
- Swipe up.
- Authenticate with Touch ID or your passcode, if enabled.
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 Handoff from the multitasking screen
If you've already unlocked your other iOS device, the Handoff icon will appear on the multitasking screen instead.
- Double-click on the Home button.
- Swipe left from the Home screen card to get to the Handoff card.
- Tap the Handoff card.
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.
Reader comments
How to set up and use Handoff on your iPhone and iPad
Handoff? Never seen it on my iPhone 6 and iPad air 2. Sounds cool, would love to try it but it just doesn't work. Same wifi, both have Bluetooth on.
Edit: yes, handoff is turned on.
Both devices must be signed in to the same iCloud account.
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All devices must be signed into the same iCloud account.
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Yep. I only have one iCloud account.
I can't get it to work with Pages, Numbers or Keynote.
Works fine with the other apps
Any suggestion?
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Which apps work? Strange that the apple apps don't (same for me, but I tried and 3rd party). I figured since the Apple apps didn't others wouldn't either.
Wifi on same network Bluetooth also. Doesn't work. Did reboot I am using latest iOS version too. Answering the phone on the iPad works well though lol
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I have similar issues to others. I can answer calls on any device (iPad, iPhone, MacBook), as well as get green SMS on all, but Handoff for apps only seems to work between my MacBook Pro and iPad Air, not with my iPhone 6. Everything is on, rebooted, updated, yelled at, etc...
Does not work for me either. Phone calls between iPhone 6 and iPad mini 2 sometimes does, and I get texts from non iMessage people on my mini, but it's flakey at best. Lately I can't get the instant hotspot to work without going to settings on both devices and renewing my dhcp leas on both devices when I want to use it.
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Works fine for me with Mail, but with Messages it opens the proper message thread, but doesn't pick up what I've already typed but not sent, which really is kinda the point...
Messages is hit or miss for me. Definitely buggy still.
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Ok, I'm glad it's not just me.
Maybe you should point out that you also need a mac with Bluetooth 4. Otherwise the whole post is pointless (for those without it).
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Works perfectly with Retina Mini, 5S, and 2 iPod touch 5th gens......Mac was hit or miss at 1st, but it's been flawless for the last week
Same here
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Try renaming all devices- Mac, iPhone , iPad, restarting wifi and then restarting all devices
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What wallpaper is that? It's fantastic!
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I can see battery issues running Bluetooth all the time.
Haven't even tried it until I read this. Thank you Ally, works great thanks to your guide!
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Could you send me the link to the wallpaper . It's fantastic
I was at our local Apple Store this past Sunday and the "Genius" had no idea how to use it! Monday I worked it out, then yesterday got a phone call from the manager at the Apple Store apologizing for the lack of help I'd received. I've only tried it with Mail so far. Perhaps I was expecting too much as I'd unrealistically hoped it would keep the app open on both the iPad and iPhone simultaneously, mirroring if you like, rather than shutting down the app on the first iDevice as it hands it off to the second. But then it is called "HandOff" so it's not at all surprising it works the way it does.
Hey, I also would appreciate a link to the wallpaper?
Works fine in Mail, Safari, Messages and Pages so far on my Macbook Air (2012), original iPad Air and iPhone 5. My iMac is 1yr too old though, no Bluetooth LE so no joy, I guess, when I upgrade to Yosemite.
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How can I download FaceTime on my iPhone 6plus
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Works great for me! IT would be great that apple TV has that option in the future and,off course,that presume iTunes also enabled to use with 'handoff'!
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