LightAtom

Handoff Not Working Between Mac and iPhone

Handoff needs the setting on both devices, the same Apple Account, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on. Here's how to check each.

Apps don't appear in the Dock or app switcher to continue on the other device.

  • No Handoff icon in the Mac's Dock.
  • No banner in the iPhone app switcher.

Quick fix

Mac: System Settings › General › AirDrop & Handoff › turn on Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices. iPhone: Settings › General › AirPlay & Continuity › Handoff. Use the same Apple Account, keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on, and keep devices close.

Why it happens

Handoff off on one device.Most likely
Different Apple Accounts.Sometimes
Bluetooth off or devices far apart.Sometimes
App doesn't support Handoff.Sometimes

Fixes

  1. Turn Handoff on everywhere

    1. Mac and iPhone settings as above; iPad: Settings › General › AirPlay & Continuity.

  2. Check the account

    1. Same Apple Account in System Settings › [your name] and iPhone Settings › [your name].

  3. Reset the radios

    1. Toggle Bluetooth off and on on both devices; restart them.

Still not working?

If Handoff never works, sign out of iCloud on the Mac and back in. This resets the device keys Continuity uses.

See it in the app

LightAtom's connections view shows rapportd, the process Continuity uses to discover nearby devices, and its connections.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Handoff not working?

Most often it's off on one device, the devices use different Apple Accounts, or Bluetooth is off. Check all three.

Which apps support Handoff?

Apple's apps (Safari, Mail, Notes, Pages and others) and third-party apps that adopt it. Not every app supports it.

Does Handoff need the same Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be on. Devices discover each other over Bluetooth; being on the same network helps.

Related

LightAtom team

The people who build LightAtom, a network monitor for macOS.