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iPad User Guide

Hand off tasks between iPad and your other devices

With Handoff, you can start a task on one device and complete it on another. For example, you can start an email on your iPad but then finish it on your Mac computer’s bigger screen.

You can use Handoff with many Apple apps—for example, Safari, Mail, FaceTime, and Maps. Some third-party apps also work with Handoff.

You can use Handoff between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also hand off tasks between your Apple Watch and iPhone.

Before you begin

Make sure of the following:

If you’re using a VPN, make sure its configuration doesn’t prevent local networking, as that may interfere with some Continuity features.

Turn on Handoff

Turn on Handoff on both your iPad and your other Apple device.

  • On your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings 👁 Image
    > General > AirPlay & Continuity, then turn on Handoff.

  • On your Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) Click Airplay & Continuity, then turn on Handoff.

    Note: If your Mac has macOS 12.5 or earlier, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General, then select “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.”

Hand off a task between your iPad and other devices

When your devices are near each other, an icon appears whenever a task can be handed off. Just tap or click the Handoff icon to continue working on your other device.

The Handoff icon appears in the following locations:

  • On an iPhone: At the bottom of the App Switcher screen.

  • On an iPad: At the right end of the Dock.

  • On a Mac: Toward the right end of the Dock, if the Dock is at the bottom of the screen. If you set up the Dock to appear on the left or right side of your screen, the Handoff icon appears at the bottom of the Dock.

If Handoff isn’t working

  • Make sure that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, and you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.

  • Check that your app supports Handoff. Calendar, Contacts, FaceTime, Keynote, Mail, Maps, Pages, Numbers, Reminders, and Safari, as well as many third-party apps, allow Handoff.

Tip: When Handoff is on, you can use Universal Clipboard to copy and paste text, images, photos, and videos across devices.

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