Key takeaways:
- Handoff allows you to seamlessly transfer activities between your Apple devices
- Common issues include Handoff not showing up or failing to transfer content
- Ensure your devices meet Handoff system requirements and are signed in to the same Apple ID
- Toggle Handoff off and on, and keep your devices in close proximity
- Restart your devices and check app compatibility if issues persist
Handoff is an incredibly useful Continuity feature that allows you to start a task on one Apple device and pick up right where you left off on another. Whether you’re composing an email, browsing a website, or working on a document, Handoff makes it easy to transition between your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
However, there may be times when Handoff doesn’t work as smoothly as expected. You might not see the Handoff icon on your lock screen, or the content might fail to transfer between devices. If you’re experiencing these issues, don’t worry – there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get Handoff working properly again.
Table of Contents
Check Handoff System Requirements
Before you start troubleshooting, it’s important to make sure your devices meet the system requirements for Handoff. Here’s what you need:
- Mac: OS X Yosemite or later
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: iOS 8 or later
- Apple Watch: watchOS 1 or later
In addition, your devices must be:
- Signed in to the same Apple ID
- Connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Within Bluetooth range of each other (about 33 feet or 10 meters)
If your devices don’t meet these requirements, Handoff won’t work. So, make sure you’re running the latest software and that all your devices are compatible.
Re-Enable Handoff on Your Devices
If Handoff isn’t working, one of the first things you should try is turning the feature off and then back on again. Here’s how:
On your Mac:
- Click the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”
- Click “General”
- Uncheck the box next to “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices”
- Wait a few seconds, then check the box again
On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap “General”
- Tap “AirPlay & Handoff”
- Toggle the “Handoff” switch off and then back on
On your Apple Watch:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone
- Tap “General”
- Tap “Enable Handoff”
- Toggle the switch off and then back on
After re-enabling Handoff on your devices, try using the feature again to see if the issue has been resolved.
Keep Your Devices Close Together
For Handoff to work, your devices need to be in close proximity to each other. If you’re trying to use Handoff between your Mac and iPhone, for example, make sure the devices are within Bluetooth range (about 33 feet or 10 meters).
If your devices are too far apart, Handoff may not work reliably. So, if you’re having trouble with Handoff, try moving your devices closer together and see if that helps.
Restart Your Devices
If Handoff still isn’t working after trying the above steps, try restarting your devices. This can often resolve temporary glitches and get things working smoothly again.
To restart your Mac, click the Apple menu and select “Restart.” On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, press and hold the power button until the “slide to power off” slider appears, then slide it to turn off your device. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again to turn your device back on.
Check App Compatibility
It’s important to note that not all apps support Handoff. While many of Apple’s built-in apps (like Mail, Safari, Maps, and Pages) work with Handoff, third-party apps need to be specifically designed to support the feature.
If you’re trying to use Handoff with a particular app and it’s not working, check to see if the app supports Handoff. You can usually find this information on the app’s website or in its documentation.
If the app doesn’t support Handoff, there’s unfortunately not much you can do – you’ll need to wait for the developer to add Handoff support in a future update.
Conclusion
Handoff is a great feature that can save you time and make it easier to work across multiple Apple devices. If you’re having trouble with Handoff, try the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article. In most cases, you should be able to get Handoff working properly again with a few simple tweaks.
If you’ve tried everything and Handoff still isn’t working, there may be a more serious issue with your device or software. In this case, it’s best to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
FAQ
H3 What is Handoff?
Handoff is a Continuity feature that allows you to start a task on one Apple device and pick up where you left off on another device. For example, you can start composing an email on your iPhone and then finish it on your Mac.
H3 Which Apple devices support Handoff?
Handoff is supported on the following devices:
- Mac (OS X Yosemite or later)
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (iOS 8 or later)
- Apple Watch (watchOS 1 or later)
H3 Do I need to be connected to the internet to use Handoff?
Yes, your devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for Handoff to work. Alternatively, if you have a cellular connection on your iPhone or iPad, you can use Instant Hotspot to connect your Mac to the internet.
H3 Can I use Handoff with third-party apps?
Yes, but the app needs to be specifically designed to support Handoff. Many popular apps (like Airbnb, NYTimes, and Things 3) support Handoff, but not all apps do. Check the app’s website or documentation to see if it supports Handoff.
H3 What should I do if Handoff still isn’t working after trying these troubleshooting steps?
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and Handoff still isn’t working, there may be a more serious issue with your device or software. In this case, it’s best to contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can help diagnose the problem and provide additional guidance on how to get Handoff working properly again.
