System requirements for Continuity on Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch

Here's what you need to use Handoff, Universal Clipboard, Instant Hotspot, Auto Unlock, iPhone Cellular Calls, and SMS/MMS messaging.

If your devices meet the requirements for a Continuity feature, you can set up and use that feature to move seamlessly between your devices.

Handoff

Handoff works with these devices and operating systems:

iOS 8 or later OS X Yosemite or later 
  • iPhone 5 or newer
  • iPad Pro
  • iPad (4th generation)
  • iPad Air or newer
  • iPad mini or newer
  • iPod touch (5th generation) or newer
  • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
  • Mac mini (2012 or newer)
  • iMac (2012 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Universal Clipboard

Universal Clipboard works with these devices and operating systems:

iOS 10 macOS Sierra
  • iPhone 5 or newer
  • iPad Pro
  • iPad (4th generation)
  • iPad Air or newer
  • iPad mini 2 or newer
  • iPod touch (6th generation) or newer
  • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
  • Mac mini (2012 or newer)
  • iMac (2012 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Instant Hotspot

Instant Hotspot requires one of these devices and operating systems:

iOS 8.1 or later

The device must also have an activated carrier plan providing Personal Hotspot service.

  • iPhone 5 or newer
  • iPad Pro
  • iPad (4th generation)
  • iPad Air or newer
  • iPad mini or newer

You can then use Instant Hotspot to connect to your Personal Hotspot from these devices:

iOS 8 or later OS X Yosemite or later 
  • iPhone 5 or later
  • iPad Pro
  • iPad (4th generation)
  • iPad Air or newer
  • iPad mini or newer
  • iPod touch (5th generation) or newer
  • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
  • Mac mini (2012 or newer)
  • iMac (2012 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013)

Auto Unlock

Auto Unlock works with these devices and operating systems:

watchOS 3 macOS Sierra
  • Apple Watch (1st generation)
  • Apple Watch Series 1
  • Apple Watch Series 2
  • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
  • MacBook Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
  • MacBook Air (Mid 2013 or newer)
  • Mac mini (Late 2014 or newer)
  • iMac (Late 2013 or newer)
  • Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

iPhone Cellular Calls

iPhone Cellular Calls requires any iPhone using iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan. You can then relay calls to and from that iPhone from these devices:

  • Any Mac using OS X Yosemite or later. Mac mini and Mac Pro require an external microphone or headset.
  • Any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later.

SMS and MMS messaging

SMS and MMS messaging requires an activated carrier plan on any iPhone using iOS 8.1 or later. You can then send and receive SMS and MMS messages from these devices:

  • Any Mac using OS X Yosemite or later. 
  • Any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later.
Last Modified: