iPhone (iOS) · Devices
Continue Activities Across Apple Devices
Handoff lets you start something — a webpage, email, document, or FaceTime call — on your iPhone and instantly pick it up on a nearby iPad or Mac signed in with the same Apple ID, without saving or sending anything manually.
How to open Handoff
- Open Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff.
- Make sure Handoff is toggled on.
- Start an activity, like browsing a webpage in Safari, on your iPhone.
- On a nearby iPad or Mac, tap the Handoff icon in the Dock or App Switcher to continue.
What you should know
- Works across Safari, Mail, Notes, Maps, Messages, and many third-party apps that support it.
- Requires both devices to be signed in to the same Apple ID with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.
- A Handoff icon appears in the App Switcher or Dock on the nearby device when an activity is available.
- Can also hand off a phone call or FaceTime call between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Handoff requires devices to be within roughly Bluetooth range of each other and can silently stop working if either device's Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is off.
Why it matters
Handoff removes the small daily friction of emailing yourself a link or manually re-opening a document on a second device, which adds up meaningfully if you regularly switch between an iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It's especially useful mid-task — like finishing a phone call on your Mac's keyboard or picking a half-written email back up on a bigger screen.
Best practices
- Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on across all your Apple devices so Handoff can detect nearby activity reliably.
- Sign in to the same Apple ID on every device you want Handoff to work between.
- Use Handoff for phone calls specifically if you often get calls while working at a Mac.
Common problems and fixes
- Handoff icon never appears on the other device
- Confirm Handoff is enabled in Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff on both devices, and that both are signed in with the same Apple ID and near each other.
- Handoff worked before but suddenly stopped
- Restart both devices, and check that Bluetooth wasn't accidentally turned off on either one, since that alone breaks Handoff discovery.
Tips and tricks
- Handoff also works for Maps directions — start routing on your iPhone and continue viewing the route on your Mac.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need iCloud enabled for Handoff to work?
Yes, both devices need to be signed in to the same Apple ID, though not every iCloud toggle needs to be on for Handoff specifically to function.
Does Handoff work over cellular data if Wi-Fi is off?
No, Handoff relies on Bluetooth and local Wi-Fi between nearby devices, so it won't work if Wi-Fi is completely turned off.
Related settings
- AirDropAirDrop lets you instantly send photos, documents, links, and more to nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs using a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, without needing the same network or an internet connection.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair AirPods, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you join nearby networks, share passwords instantly between Apple devices, and manage previously joined networks.
More Devices guides for iPhone (iOS)
- KeyboardKeyboard settings let you add languages and layouts, configure autocorrect and predictive text, and connect a physical Bluetooth or Magic Keyboard for a more traditional typing experience.
- AirPods SettingsOnce AirPods are paired, a dedicated settings page appears for them with controls for noise control modes, spatial audio, press-and-hold gestures, and battery levels for each earbud and the case.
- Apple WatchPairing an Apple Watch is done through the dedicated Watch app on iPhone, which then manages the Watch's settings, apps, and complications, while the paired connection itself is visible under Bluetooth.
- Bluetooth AccessoriesBeyond audio devices, the Bluetooth settings screen manages any paired accessory — external keyboards, game controllers, car infotainment systems, fitness sensors, and more — under the 'My Devices' list.
- CarPlayCarPlay settings let you pair a vehicle, arrange which apps appear on the CarPlay screen, configure Siri and notification behavior while driving, and control automatic connection when you get in the car.
- MagSafe & Charging AccessoriesMagSafe and wireless charging settings show connected chargers and battery accessories, support Optimized Battery Charging to protect long-term battery health, and can trigger automatic behaviors when a MagSafe accessory attaches.