If you buy a Mac and pair it with a recent iPhone, you get to take advantage of the ecosystem that ties Apple products together. This enables you to copy text on one device and then paste it on the other. You similarly can initiate a task on iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS, then resume it on macOS, thanks to a Continuity feature called Handoff. Below, you will find the steps you need to follow to hand off a task from your iPhone or iPad to a nearby Mac and vice versa.

What's Handoff?

Handoff is a Continuity feature that lets you continue working on an ongoing task on a different device. For example, if you start typing an email on your iPhone, you can resume doing so on a nearby Mac effortlessly. This makes switching from one Apple device to another while working significantly simple.

Continuity on Apple operating systems also enables you to copy and paste between devices, use Sidecar and Universal Control, and do much more. However, it's worth noting that handing off a FaceTime call from one device to another has different requirements and steps, and we've highlighted them in a dedicated guide.

Handoff requirements

Before you go setting up Handoff, you need to make sure your devices have the following requirements:

  • Both devices must be running at least iOS 10, iPadOS 13, OS X 10.10, or watchOS 1.
  • Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff must be enabled on all devices.
  • Your devices must be near each other (no more than 10 meters apart).
  • The app you're using must support the Handoff API.

How to enable Handoff on your Apple devices

Handoff is typically enabled on Apple devices by default, but you can double-check by following the steps below:

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch > General > AirPlay & Handoff.
  2. Make sure the Handoff toggle is enabled.
  3. Similarly, launch the System Settings app on your Mac > General > AirDrop & Handoff.
  4. Make sure Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices is enabled.

How to use Handoff

Now, whenever your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch are within proximity with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, you'll be able to hand off tasks between the two devices. Here's how:

  1. On iOS, you will see the Handoff shortcut at the bottom of the App Switcher.
  2. Meanwhile, on macOS and iPadOS, the shortcut will appear towards the right of your Dock.
  3. Clicking the Handoff shortcut will launch the respective app, letting you continue whatever task you've been working on the other device.

It's worth noting that Handoff also works on the latest Apple Watches. So, if you view an email or message on the tiny screen, you will see the relevant app's icon in your iPhone's App Switcher or Mac/iPad's Dock.

Handoff is great for those who tend to work on the go. You can quickly start typing an email on your iPhone, then hand it off to your iPad or Mac if you prefer the larger keyboard and screen. You can use Handoff with Notes, iWork, Safari, Mail, and other first-party apps. Notably, Apple has provided third-party developers with a Handoff API. So those choosing to support the feature can implement it in their apps across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.