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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchHandoff lets you start an activity on your iPhone and continue it on your Mac, or start on your Mac and pick it up on your iPhone. Turn on Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, sign in to the same Apple Account on both devices, and enable Handoff on each device. Then open a supported app, leave the task visible on the source device, and select the Handoff control on the device where you want to continue.
Handoff is part of Apple’s built-in Continuity features, so there is no separate Handoff app to install. The controls and settings differ slightly between current iOS, current macOS, and older macOS releases.
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What Handoff does—and what it does not do
Handoff transfers the working context of a supported app between nearby Apple devices. For example, you can begin reading a webpage in Safari on your iPhone, start an email in Mail, edit a note, or work on a Pages document, then resume that same activity on your Mac without searching for it again.
The feature does not mirror your entire iPhone screen. It hands an app’s current activity to the other device, and the receiving device must have the corresponding app installed. Handoff also depends on app support: Apple’s own apps generally provide it, while third-party developers must add support to their apps.
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Apple describes Handoff as a way to “start work on one Apple device, then switch to another nearby device and pick up where you left off.” Apple’s Handoff support guidance, published June 10, 2026, uses that same app-centered model. The source device should remain unlocked, nearby, and visibly showing the task while you switch.
Handoff is not the same as sending a file or copying text. It is the right tool when you want the receiving device to open the related app activity, rather than merely receive an attachment, photo, link, or clipboard item.
Requirements before you begin
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Compatible devices and software | Your iPhone and Mac must meet Apple’s current Handoff system requirements. Exact model and operating-system cutoffs can change, so check Apple’s current Handoff requirements reference if you are using older hardware. |
| Apple Account | Both devices must be signed in to the same Apple Account. Using different accounts prevents the handoff relationship from being established. |
| Wi‑Fi | Wi‑Fi must be enabled on both devices. Handoff uses the local wireless connection; the devices do not need to be on two different networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth must be enabled on both devices so they can discover one another nearby. |
| Handoff setting | Handoff must be enabled on both the iPhone and the Mac. Apple says the feature is turned on by default, but it is worth checking after a reset, account change, or software update. |
| Supported app | The app handling the task must support Handoff, and the same app must be installed on the receiving device. |
| Proximity and state | Keep the devices close, unlocked, and with the task open on the source device. Apple’s operational check is within 10 metres (30 feet). |
These are device and software requirements, not accessory requirements. You do not need a special cable, stand, router, or Bluetooth peripheral to activate Handoff. If the feature worked previously and stopped after a change, recheck the account, radio switches, and Handoff switches before buying or installing anything.
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- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap AirPlay & Continuity. Some iOS versions or locales label this menu AirPlay & Handoff.
- Turn on Handoff.
Remain signed in to the Apple Account you intend to use with the Mac. Also verify that Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth are enabled in Settings or Control Center. You do not need to install an app named Handoff.
If you cannot find the exact wording, use the equivalent AirPlay and Continuity or AirPlay and Handoff panel under General. Menu labels can vary by iOS release and language, but the Handoff switch is in that general area.
How to turn on Handoff on a Mac
macOS Ventura 13 and later
- Choose the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Open System Settings.
- Select General.
- Open AirDrop & Continuity. Depending on the macOS version or language, this can appear as AirDrop & Handoff.
- Enable Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
Check that this Mac is signed in to the same Apple Account as the iPhone. Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth should also be on in macOS.
Earlier macOS releases
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
- Click General.
- Select Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
The wording is similar, but the location is different because older systems use System Preferences rather than System Settings.
Handoff is generally enabled by default, but the switch can be off after a reset, a system update, or a change to the Apple Account. Checking both sides takes less time than trying to diagnose an absent Dock icon later.
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How to hand off a task from iPhone to Mac
- Open a Handoff-compatible app on the iPhone, such as Safari, Mail, Notes, Maps, Calendar, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Reminders, Freeform, News, Stocks, Clock, Contacts, or FaceTime.
- Start the activity you want to continue. For example, open a specific webpage, begin composing a message, or open a document for editing.
- Leave the app open in front, keep the iPhone unlocked, and keep the screen showing the activity.
- Move to the Mac while keeping the devices nearby.
- Look in the Mac’s Dock for the Handoff version of the app icon. Click it to open the corresponding activity.
The Handoff icon’s position depends on where the Dock is placed. It can appear at the end of the Dock or, if the Dock is positioned vertically, at the bottom. If you do not notice it, press Command-Tab to open the App Switcher and select the Handoff app icon there.
The receiving Mac needs the corresponding app. If you begin in an app that is not installed on the Mac, Handoff cannot open that activity there.
Give the source app a moment to remain active while you move between devices. Closing the app, locking the iPhone, or navigating to an unrelated screen before selecting the control can remove the activity from the handoff view.
How to hand off a task from Mac to iPhone
- Open a supported app on the Mac and display the page, message, note, map, or document you want to continue.
- Keep the Mac awake and leave the task visible rather than switching to an unrelated activity.
- Unlock the iPhone and open the App Switcher by swiping up from the bottom edge and pausing, or by double-clicking the Home button on an iPhone that has one.
- Tap the Handoff banner for the Mac app at the bottom of the App Switcher.
Handoff opens the activity in the iPhone version of that app. The app must be installed on the iPhone and signed in as needed for the activity to load.
The banner is tied to the Mac activity, not to a permanent icon on the Home Screen. If you open the App Switcher before the Mac task is active, wait until the Mac is showing the page or document, then open the switcher again.
Apps that commonly support Handoff
Apple lists Handoff support for Calendar, Clock, Contacts, FaceTime, Freeform, Keynote, Mail, Maps, News, Notes, Numbers, Pages, Reminders, Safari, and Stocks. Other apps can support Handoff when their developers implement it.
Support can be activity-specific. An app may hand off one type of work but not every screen or workflow inside the app. If no Handoff control appears, test with a straightforward activity such as a Safari webpage or a new Mail message before concluding that the feature is unavailable.
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Handoff compared with other Continuity features
| Feature | Purpose | Typical example |
|---|---|---|
| Handoff | Moves an in-progress, supported app activity to another nearby device. | Continue a Safari page or Mail draft from iPhone on Mac. |
| Universal Clipboard | Copies content on one Apple device so it can be pasted on another. | Copy text on iPhone and paste it into a Mac document. |
| AirDrop | Sends selected files, photos, links, or other items between devices. | Send a photo from iPhone to Mac. |
These functions use related Continuity technology but solve different problems. Handoff is the choice when you want to resume the app activity itself, not merely transfer text or a file. If you only need a picture, document, or link on the other device, AirDrop may be more appropriate; if you only need a snippet of text, Universal Clipboard is the relevant feature.
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A repeatable handoff routine
For reliable everyday use, treat Handoff as a short sequence rather than a button you press at any time:
- Choose the source. Decide which device currently has the page, draft, map, or document open.
- Keep the activity in view. Leave the supported app in front and do not lock the source device.
- Bring devices within range. Keep them close, with Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth enabled on each.
- Open the receiving control. On Mac, check the Dock or press Command-Tab. On iPhone, open the App Switcher.
- Select the matching app. The receiving device should launch its version of the app at the related activity.
- Continue normally. Handoff does not send a message, save a document, or complete an action for you; it simply opens the activity so you can carry on.
This routine also makes troubleshooting easier. If the control is absent, you know whether the issue is discovery, account configuration, app support, or the source task no longer being active.
Why Handoff is not appearing on the Mac
Work through the checks in this order. Each check eliminates a common dependency before you move to a more disruptive step.
1. Confirm Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth on both devices
Open the wireless controls on the iPhone and Mac and make sure both radios are enabled. Handoff requires both; having only Wi‑Fi or only Bluetooth active is not sufficient.
2. Verify the Apple Account
Open the Apple Account details on each device and compare the signed-in account. A family member’s account, a secondary work account, or an account left over after setup will not satisfy the same-account requirement.
3. Recheck Handoff’s two switches
On iPhone, return to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff) and confirm Handoff. On Mac, revisit System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity (or AirDrop & Handoff) and confirm Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices. Older macOS uses System Preferences > General.
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Use an app named in Apple’s supported list, and make sure its iPhone and Mac versions are present. A missing receiving-side app prevents the continuation control from opening.
5. Keep the source task active
Unlock the source device and bring the app to the front. Handoff is intended for an activity that is still open and visible, not one that was closed or left several screens behind.
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6. Move the devices closer
Place the iPhone and Mac next to one another and retry. Apple gives 10 metres (30 feet) as the proximity check; walls, radio interference, and the physical layout can make a shorter distance more reliable.
7. Check for a VPN that blocks local networking
Apple notes that a VPN can interfere with Continuity when it prevents local network communication. Temporarily disconnect the VPN, if your security policy allows it, and test Handoff again. If that resolves the problem, review the VPN’s local-network or LAN-access setting rather than leaving the connection unprotected permanently.
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8. Restart both devices as a later check
Restarting the iPhone and Mac can clear a temporary Continuity or wireless-service fault. It is a general troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed Handoff fix, so perform the configuration and proximity checks first.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Finding the control when the Dock icon is easy to miss
On a Mac, Handoff does not necessarily appear as a large notification. Look at the Dock’s end, or at the bottom when the Dock is vertical. The icon may carry the app’s normal symbol with a small device indicator. Pressing Command-Tab is the reliable alternative: the App Switcher can expose the Handoff app even when the Dock is crowded or set to hide automatically.
On iPhone, Handoff appears as a banner at the bottom of the App Switcher, not as a permanent Home Screen icon. Open the App Switcher only after the Mac app is active and the devices are close.
Using Handoff in real workflows
Safari research
Open the article or reference page in Safari on iPhone, then use the Mac Dock or Command-Tab App Switcher to continue with a larger screen and keyboard. Keep the original Safari page open until you select the Handoff control.
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Mail drafting
Start a message in Mail on one device and leave the draft visible. Handoff opens the corresponding Mail activity on the other device; it does not send the message automatically.
Notes and documents
Open the note or document in Notes, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, or Freeform, then select the Handoff control on the receiving device. Saving and account access still follow the app’s normal behavior.
Maps and calendars
Viewing a place, route, or event in Maps or Calendar can be continued on the other device when that app and activity support Handoff. If the banner is absent, test another supported activity to separate an app-specific limitation from a connection problem.
Older iPhone and Mac support
Apple maintains a current Handoff system-requirements reference, but the exact minimum iPhone models and operating-system versions are not stated here. Do not substitute requirements for another Continuity feature: compatibility cutoffs are not necessarily the same. If an older device fails every setup and proximity check, consult Apple’s current Handoff requirements before replacing hardware or changing accounts.
Menu names can also vary by release and language. On iPhone, look for either AirPlay & Continuity or AirPlay & Handoff. On Mac, current releases use System Settings and an AirDrop & Continuity or AirDrop & Handoff panel, while earlier releases use System Preferences > General.
Quick pre-flight checklist
- Both devices are signed in to the same Apple Account.
- Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth are on for both devices.
- Handoff is enabled on the iPhone and Mac.
- The source app supports Handoff and remains open in front.
- The receiving device has the corresponding app installed.
- The source device is unlocked and both devices are within about 10 metres (30 feet).
- No VPN is blocking local networking.
- You know where to look: Mac Dock or Command-Tab; iPhone App Switcher banner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on Handoff?
On iPhone, open Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity (or AirPlay & Handoff) and enable Handoff. On macOS Ventura 13 or later, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > AirDrop & Continuity (or AirDrop & Handoff) and enable Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices. Earlier macOS uses System Preferences > General.
Where is the Handoff icon on Mac?
Look at the end of the Dock, or at the bottom if the Dock is vertical. You can also press Command-Tab and select the Handoff app in the App Switcher.
Where does Handoff appear on iPhone?
Open the App Switcher while the Mac is showing the supported activity. The Handoff control appears as a banner at the bottom of the App Switcher.
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Why is Handoff not working?
Check Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth on both devices, confirm the same Apple Account, verify Handoff is enabled on both, use a supported app installed on both devices, keep the source unlocked with the task visible, and bring the devices within 10 metres (30 feet). Also check whether a VPN blocks local networking.
Do I need to install a Handoff app?
No. Handoff is built into Apple’s Continuity features. You only need compatible devices, the required settings, and a supported app.
Can Handoff move any app or screen?
No. Handoff works only with apps that support it, and support can be limited to particular activities. Apple lists apps including Safari, Mail, Maps, Notes, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Calendar, and Reminders; some third-party apps also support the feature.
Can I use Handoff if the devices are on different Wi‑Fi networks?
Wi‑Fi must be enabled on both devices, but they do not need to be on two different networks. Keep them nearby and make sure Bluetooth is also enabled.
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No. Handoff resumes an app activity, AirDrop sends selected files or items, and Universal Clipboard copies content for pasting on another Apple device.
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The Bottom Line
To use Handoff, enable Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff on both devices, sign in to the same Apple Account, and keep a supported app open and visible on the source device. Select the app in the Mac Dock or Command-Tab App Switcher, or tap the banner at the bottom of the iPhone App Switcher. If it fails, check app support, installation, proximity, account settings, and any VPN before restarting.
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