Never used Handoff before? Here we show you what it can do and how to use it. If you can’t get Handoff to work properly, we’ll even show you troubleshooting steps you can use to fix it.
Using Handoff to seamlessly switch between iPhone, iPad and Mac What is the Handoff?
Handoff is an Apple feature that allows you to seamlessly switch from one Apple device to another without losing your progress in applications or documents.
The easiest way to explain it is with an example.
Suppose you open Mail on your iPad and start responding to important emails. Halfway through, you realize you need to attach files on your Mac. Without having to start from scratch, you can use Handoff to wirelessly transfer your half-written replies from the iPad to the Mac. Then attach the file and pick up where you left off.
Handoff works for a variety of different applications:
page
digital
The tone
The calendar
The contact
reminders
Apple Browser
music
podcast
And many third party applications
When you switch to another device, it opens the exact same applications and documents you’re using in exactly the same state as on your first device.
Handoff is the best way to transfer a music or podcast playback from one Apple device to another. You can even use the Handoff (more accurately, the Universal Clipboard) to copy something on the iPhone and paste it onto the Mac, and vice versa.
You can use Handoff to switch between Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and even an Apple Watch (although you can only switch from the Apple Watch, not one).
How do I use Handoff on an iPhone, iPad or Mac
Handoff is very simple to use. All you need to do is open a compatible application and start using it on the first device, then hand over the application to the second device by following the instructions below.
If you just want to use the Universal Clipboard to copy and paste between devices, you don’t need to do anything special. Simply copy the content from one device and paste it onto the other.
Use Handoff to seamlessly switch between iPhone, iPad and Mac to switch to iPhone
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (double-click the home button if your iPhone has one) to see the App Switcher. Then click on the banner at the bottom of the screen, which displays an application icon and tells you which device it is from.
Handed over to the
Find the App in the App Switcher view as described in the iPhone method above, or go to the home screen and tap the App icon displayed on the far right of the Dock. It should come with a small badge showing the device you are passing.
Handed over to the Mac
Click the application icon displayed in the Dock. Depending on your MacOS version, this icon will appear on the far left or right edge of the Dock. It should come with a small badge showing the device you are passing.
Alternatively, press Cmd + Tab to view the App Switcher and select the application at the left edge, which should have a badge showing the device from which you are switching
If it doesn’t work, how do you fix the switch
Handoff should be easier than manually transferring content between two devices. Most of the time, but sometimes the feature doesn’t work properly.
Handoff may not work properly for a variety of reasons, but you should be able to fix it by following these tips.
Log in to the same Apple ID account on both devices
Make sure that both devices that you attempt to use Handoff are logged into the same Apple ID or iCloud account.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings and click [your name] at the top of the screen to check.
On a Mac, turn on System Preferences and go to your Apple ID.
If the Handoff still does not work, log out of both devices and log in again.
Enable Handoff in both device Settings
Handoff may be off in the Settings of one or two devices that you are trying to use.
On iPhone or iPad, go to “Settings” >, “Universal” >, “Stretch Play and Relay” and then enable the “Relay” option.
Using Handoff to seamlessly switch between iPhone, iPad, and Mac For the Apple Watch, open the Apple Watch app on the connected iPhone, go to ‘General’, and then select ‘Enable Relay’.
On a Mac, open System Preferences and click General, then enable the Allow toggle between this Mac and your iCloud device option.
If the Handoff is not found in the Settings, make sure your device meets the continuity requirements on Apple’s website.
Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Handoff uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transfer data between your devices. Make sure you enable Bluetooth for each device in the Control Center, and then check to see if they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
It’s also a good time to mention that the two devices need to be relatively close to each other (at least in the same room) for Handoff to work.
Make sure the application is open on the first device
The most common reason Handoff doesn’t work properly is because the application you’re trying to transfer isn’t open on the first device. You cannot switch the most recently used applications, only the ones you are currently using.
This is especially important for music or podcast applications that you might be listening to in the background.
To switch applications, set it to be the active application on the first device you are using. Open it and use it for a second, then try to hand it off to another device.
More ways to use Apple devices
Handoff is based on Apple’s Continuity technology, which is just one of the many benefits you get from using an Apple device. You can also use Continuity to wirelessly transfer files using AirDrop, share your mobile data with personal hotspots, easily unlock your Mac with Auto Unlock, and more.