Handoff App Not Showing On Mac

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With Handoff, part of Apple's Continuity features, you can start something on one device (like an iMessage on your iPhone) and finish it off 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!

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 Mac(s) and your other device need to be:

  • Using a Mac that supports Bluetooth LE (Anything mid-2012 or later)
  • 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
  1. Nov 01, 2017  And it’s not just Safari; it works in any third party app that implements it. I’ve Ulysses open on my Mac to write this article; when I open the App Switcher on iOS, I’ve got the option to jump straight into the same document and continue working using Ulysses iOS app. It works the other way as well.
  2. How to Fix Handoff Not Working on Mac and iPhone: Handoff is a wonderful feature available on Mac and iOS devices. Introduced Continuity to make your day-to-day work faster then ever. Handoff is a part of continuity that allows the user to start work on one device and continue it on the other device.

The next time a proximity feature doesn’t work, try this: On your Mac, turn Wi-Fi off. Then turn it on again. In iOS, swipe up for Control Center, tap the Wi-Fi icon, and then tap it again.

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 unnecessarily draining your battery. 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 Mac App Store apps. Check the app's description for compatibility.

How to enable or disable Handoff on the Mac

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

There are up to three places you need to change to stop this behavior.1. Turn off restart apps on reboot mac as default. It doesn't matter which one. As mentioned, choose Shut Down or Restart from the top left Apple menu. Uncheck the box.

  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 set the 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 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 all the way 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.

Some great accessories for your Mac!

Anker Ultra Slim keyboard($17 at Amazon)

For a low-cost alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard, you'll be happy with Anker's universal Bluetooth keyboard. It uses the Magic Keyboard's scissor mechanism keys, so your typing experience will be very familiar. It doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles, but for the price, it's the perfect alternative.

Logitech M720($36 at Amazon)

Also known as the Triathalon Mouse, Logitech's low-cost, high-powered wireless mouse is a great mid-range product. It's called the Triathalon Mouse because it has three Bluetooth device connections so you can use it with your iMac Pro at home, your MacBook Pro on the go, and your PC at work.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below!

Updated June 2019: All steps have been updated for macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina.

macOS Catalina

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Handoff is one of the Apple’s continuity features that enable to start working on one device and continue on another device where you left. You can use this feature between any supported Apple devices like iMac, MacBook, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or iPod. But this always does not work smoothly between iOS and macOS devices. In this article let explain the basics of how to fix handoff continuity connection between MacBook and iPhone.

Related:Fix Safari slow in Mac.

What About watchOS?

We also provide the requirements for watchOS. You can follow the similar process for connecting any iOS, macOS and watchOS devices. Handoff will work only from watch to MacBook or iPhone. You can’t handoff the apps from iOS/macOS devices to watch.

How Handoff Works?

When your MacBook and iPhone are nearer the app you open in one device will appear on another device. You can pickup the app anytime on another device and start working where you left off on the previous device.

On Your iPhone:

  • Double tap the home button in iPhone 8 or earlier versions. Swipe up on iPhone X, XR, XS and XS Max versions, hold and wait a moment for the app switcher to appear.
  • You should see the app at the bottom of the screen, from your Mac.

Safari Tabs in iPhone from Mac

On Your Mac:

  • You will see the app popups in the dock when opened in iPhone.

If you are not seeing the app, check the below things to resolve the problem.

1. System Requirements

Apple supports handoff on the following devices and operating systems. Ensure to update to the latest operating system supported on your device. Below are the minimum requirements for handoff function should to work which means you should have the device or operating system later than the mentioned.

  • On iOS 8 with iPhone 5, iPad Pro, iPad 4th generation, iPad Air, iPad mini and iPod touch 5th generation.
  • On macOS Yosmite with MacBook Early 2015, MacBook Pro 2012, MacBook Air 2012, Mac mini 2012, iMac 2012, iMac Pro and Mac Pro Late 2013.
  • On watchOS 1.0 with Apple Watch 1st generation, Apple Watch Series 1, 2 or 3.

2. Enable Handoff in iPhone and Mac

Handoff function is enabled by default on your devices. But ensure that you did not turned off.

Follow the below instructions to enable handoff in iPhone.

  • Tap on “Settings” app on the home screen and navigate to “General > Handoff”.
  • Switch on the option to enable handoff.

Mac Handoff Not Working

Follow the below instructions on your Mac:

  • Go to “Apple Menu > System Preferences…” and click on “General” section.
  • Enable the option “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices”.

Enable Handoff in MacBook

Enable Handoff in Watch:

  • First you should have paired your watch and iPhone.
  • Tap on the “Watch” app on your iPhone and go to “General” section.
  • Enable handoff here.

3. Check Your Wi-Fi

Ensure you have connected to the same Wi-Fi network on iPhone and Mac. If you are connected to 3G/4G on phone and Wi-Fi on Mac then handoff function will not work.

4. Check iCloud Account

Handoff will work only when you login to iCloud account on all devices with the same Apple id. So ensure to check both your MacBook and iPhone are logged into iCloud with the same account.

Logging into iCloud on iPhone:

  • Tap on the “Settings” app and then your name that appears as a first option.
  • If you are not logged in then you will be prompted to login with your Apple account. The Apple account is the same you should be using for iCloud.

Logging into iCloud on MacBook:

  • Go to “Apple Menu > System Preferences…”.
  • Click on “iCloud” button.
  • Login using the same Apple id used on your iPhone.

In order to find the Apple id used on the watch, tap on Watch app on iPhone. Navigate to “General > Apple ID” section to view the account used for your watch.

5. Supported Apps

Handoff From Iphone To Mac

Unfortunately, Apple does not support handoff feature on all the apps. Only few apps are supported like Safari, Mail, Maps, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Keynote and Numbers. Some of the third party apps like Google Chrome also will work with handoff function between MacBook and iPhone devices.

So ensure you are looking for continuity with the supported apps and not from any of the apps you want.

6. Enable Bluetooth

Handoff works with Wi-Fi, iCloud and Bluetooth. Ensure to enable Bluetooth on both Mac and iPhone. When you have enabled Bluetooth on iPhone then you will see the Mac apps on iPhone. But iPhone apps will not handoff on Mac.

Enable Bluetooth on Mac:

  • Go to “Apple Menu > System Preferences… > Bluetooth”.
  • Turn Bluetooth on.

Turn Bluetooth On in Mac

Enable Bluetooth on iPhone:

  • Tap on “Settings” app.
  • Tap on “Bluetooth” and enable.

7. Keep Devices Nearer

Though connected to Bluetooth and same Wi-Fi, ensure to have both devices nearer to each other. For example, handoff for sure will not work by placing iPhone and MacBook on different floors on your house.

8. Resetting Network

if handoff is not working after following all the above stuff then try to restart iPhone and Mac. If that also not solve the problem then reset the network settings on both devices to check that helps.

Handoff 4.4.2 Mac App

Reset Network on iPhone

  • Go to “Settings > General > Reset”.
  • Tap on “Reset Network Settings”.
  • Reconnect to Wi-Fi again.

Reset Network on Mac

Handoff Apps Top

  • Click on the Wi-Fi icon and “Turn Wi-Fi Off”.
  • Reconnect again.

Handoff App Not Showing On Mac Download

Conclusion

What Is Handoff On Ipad

Apple’s continuity program helps to continue the work seamlessly across all devices. Hope you have understood how handoff feature works between MacBook and iPhone. We believe one of the above points should solve your handoff connection problem.