Continuity feature support

Overview

Continuity features help users move seamlessly between their devices. For example, with Handoff, a user can start a message in Mail on their iPhone, then finish the message on their Mac by clicking the Mail app’s Handoff icon in the Dock.

There are many Continuity features, such as Sidecar, Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and Instant Hotspot, and not every feature has the same requirements. Most need each device signed in to the same Apple Account. A few, including AirDrop and AirPlay to Mac, work without a shared Apple Account.

For the complete list of Continuity features, see the Apple Support article Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices.

Requirements and expected behavior

Each Continuity feature needs one or more of these four requirements.

• Apple Account: Most features need each device signed in to the same Apple Account, either an unmanaged (personal) Apple Account or a Managed Apple Account, including Handoff, Universal Clipboard, Sidecar, Universal Control, Continuity Camera, Instant Hotspot, and iPhone Mirroring. A few work without a shared Apple Account: AirDrop can share with any nearby device, and AirPlay to Mac needs only AirPlay Receiver turned on for the Mac.

• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and proximity: Most features that move content or control between devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, with the devices near each other. These include AirDrop, Sidecar, Universal Control, and Handoff.

• A shared Wi-Fi network: A few features, such as AirPlay to Mac, need the devices on the same Wi-Fi network instead of near each other.

• An activated carrier plan: Instant Hotspot needs the iPhone or iPad to have an activated carrier plan providing Personal Hotspot service. iPhone Cellular Calls and Text Message Forwarding need an activated carrier plan on the iPhone that relays the calls or messages.

Each feature also has its own device and operating system requirements. For the list by feature, see the Apple Support article Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices.

Some features also have their own requirements.

• Two-factor authentication: Sidecar, Universal Control, and iPhone Mirroring need both devices signed in to the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.

• A distance limit: Sidecar, Universal Control, iPhone Mirroring, and AirDrop need the devices within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

• Handoff: Sidecar and Universal Control need Handoff turned on.

• Feature conflicts: While iPhone Mirroring is in use, Continuity Camera and AirPlay aren’t available on the Mac.

• Connection sharing: Sidecar and Universal Control don’t work while the iPad is sharing its cellular connection or the Mac is sharing its internet connection.

• VPN and firewall settings: Universal Control and iPhone Mirroring can fail if a VPN or third-party security software is active, or if the firewall on the Mac blocks incoming connections.

• Family Sharing: The family organizer can share Personal Hotspot automatically with specific family members, who connect without signing in to the same Apple Account.

• A device passcode: iPhone Mirroring needs a passcode set on the iPhone.

• A microphone or headset: Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro need an external microphone or headset to use iPhone Cellular Calls.

Reported behavior

Users may notice unexpected behavior without realizing a Continuity feature is active. For example, a mouse or keyboard starts controlling a nearby Mac or iPad, or pasted content arrives from another device.

Users may report a Continuity feature isn’t available or doesn’t work as expected:

• A nearby device doesn’t recognize another device for an AirDrop file transfer or Universal Clipboard copy and paste.

• Apple Pay doesn’t appear when continuing a payment between devices.

• The Handoff icon doesn’t appear in the Dock or app switcher.

• Universal Control or iPhone Mirroring works in one location but not another.

• Instant Hotspot doesn’t show the Personal Hotspot of a nearby iPhone or iPad in the Wi-Fi list.

• A family member needs to enter the Personal Hotspot password instead of connecting automatically through Family Sharing.

• The pointer doesn’t move to a second device with Universal Control.

• iPhone Mirroring can’t find the iPhone, fails to connect, or the connection drops or times out.

• With iPhone Cellular Calls, an incoming call doesn’t appear on the iPad or Mac.

A user who enrolls a user-owned device in an organization’s device management service may report that certain Continuity features work for personal data but not for organizational data.

Isolating the issue

Continuity issues usually come down to a misidentified feature, an unmet requirement, a device state, or a device management restriction. Check the following:

• Identify the feature: Confirm which Continuity feature the user intends to use, and whether it has its own dedicated article. Sidecar and AirDrop each cover isolating and troubleshooting steps specific to that feature. For any other Continuity feature, continue below.

• Distinguish similar features: Sidecar extends or mirrors the desktop of a Mac on an iPad, while Universal Control lets one keyboard, mouse, or trackpad move between separate devices that each keep their own screen and apps. iPhone Mirroring shows and controls an iPhone from a Mac, while AirPlay to Mac only streams or mirrors video to the Mac.

• Identify the feature’s requirements: Check which of the four core requirements in Requirements and expected behavior the feature needs—an Apple Account, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a shared Wi-Fi network, or an activated carrier plan—and whether that section also lists requirements specific to the feature.

• Check the device state: A device that’s locked, asleep, or waiting to restart or reconnect can prevent a Continuity feature from working even when every other requirement is met.

• Test with another device: If a second iPhone, iPad, or Mac is available, try the same Continuity feature between it and one of the original devices. Working with the substitute device but not the original narrows the problem to that device; failing with both points to the Apple Account, network, or device management configuration shared between them.

• Check for device management restrictions: A device management service can restrict a Continuity feature even when a device otherwise qualifies. Check with the organization’s device management service administrator.

Managed environments

Device management can restrict individual Continuity features, such as AirDrop, Handoff, or Universal Clipboard, independently of one another. A Continuity feature might be unavailable on a managed device even when the device and operating system otherwise meet its requirements.

Sidecar and AirDrop each document the restrictions specific to them. For other Continuity features, check the organization’s policy with the device management service administrator.

Device management can also restrict certain Continuity features on a user-owned device enrolled using account-driven User Enrollment.