Thanks to Handoff, you can take a note on your Mac and add it on the go on your iPhone. In this article, we’ll explain everything about this useful feature.
Everything about Apple Handoff
Handoff has been an incredibly useful feature for Apple devices for many years. The function ensures that you can start something on one device and then continue on another device. Handoff can be used with Mail, Safari, Maps, Messages, Calendar and contacts. Plus, the feature works with all Apple devices, even a HomePod.
In principle, you do not have to manually set up Handoff. Apple makes the feature work automatically on all devices where you are signed in with your iCloud account. However, you may have recently changed something in the settings that made it stop working. In that case, follow the directions below to enable Handoff:
- On your Mac (Book), choose the Apple menu and click on ‘System Preferences’;
- Select ‘General’ and turn on ‘Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices’.
On an iPhone or iPad (with iOS 13), open the Settings app, go to General, then tap AirPlay and Handoff. Then hide the switch at ‘Handoff’ so that the box turns green. You can switch on Handoff on an Apple Watch via the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to My Watch, tap General, then choose Enable Handoff.
Forward apps
So thanks to Handoff you can transfer apps between Apple devices. It is impossible to list all the possibilities, but you can, for example, start on a document on your MacBook and finish it on your iPad on the train. It is also possible to, for example, share images, photos, text and videos between Apple devices. In addition, you can copy files from one Mac to another.
You can pass on apps in two ways. The difference is in order:
- From Mac to iPad or iPhone: Tap the Handoff icon of the app you’re using on your Mac. This icon is located at the bottom of the app selector.
- From iPad or iPhone to Mac: Click the Handoff icon of the app you’re using on your iPad or iPhone (or Apple Watch). You can find this icon on the left side of the Dock.
Set up Handoff for HomePod
Do you have a HomePod at home? Then you can transfer music, podcasts and phone calls from your iPhone to your speaker, without losing data. To use Handoff on the HomePod, you must first enable the function. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone;
- Choose ‘General’ and tap on ‘AirPlay and Handoff’;
- Slide the switch at ‘Transfer to HomePod’ so that the box turns green.
Then you can transfer conversations, songs and podcast episodes from iPhone to HomePod effortlessly. You don’t have to tap a symbol on your phone to do this. Simply hold the iPhone close to the HomePod and you will notice that the speaker picks up where your iPhone left off.
More helpful tips
On iPhone we are happy to help you get the most out of your Apple products. For example, take a look at our Mac security guide. It certainly contains tips to make your Apple computer even more secure. Or did you get new earplugs last Christmas? Check out our AirPods tips to get the most out of the earbuds.
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