Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstalliTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Handoff works on iPhone 5 and newer, iPod touch (5th generation) and newer, every iPad Pro, iPad (4th generation) and newer, every iPad Air and iPad mini, Apple Watch, and Macs that meet Apple’s introduction-year cutoffs. Compatible hardware must also run the required operating system, use the same Apple Account, and have Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff enabled. FaceTime-call handoff is a narrower feature with newer software requirements and a separate Apple Vision Pro exception.
Apple devices that support ordinary Handoff
Apple defines Handoff as starting work on one device and continuing it on another nearby device. For example, you can begin an email on an iPhone and finish it on a Mac. The receiving device does not merely open the app: when the feature is working, it offers the active task so you can resume it.
The hardware and baseline software requirements below come from Apple’s “Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices” support page, published March 30, 2026. “All models” still assumes the device satisfies Apple’s software and setup conditions.
| Device family | Supported hardware | Minimum software listed by Apple | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone 5 or later | iOS 8 or later | Both devices must meet the requirements for the task and app being handed off. |
| iPod touch | iPod touch (5th generation) or later | iOS 8 or later | The same account, connectivity, app, and proximity rules apply. |
| iPad | All iPad Pro models; iPad (4th generation) or later; all iPad Air models; all iPad mini models | iOS 8 or later, or any iPadOS version | Apple’s list covers the named families and generations, not every older iPad. |
| MacBook | Introduced in 2015 or later | OS X Yosemite 10.10 or later | Use the Mac’s introduction year, not the year you bought it. |
| Mac Pro | Introduced in 2013 or later | OS X Yosemite 10.10 or later | Older Mac Pro models fall outside Apple’s listed cutoff. |
| Other Mac models | Introduced in 2012 or later | OS X Yosemite 10.10 or later | This category includes Apple’s other Mac families; identify the model year in About This Mac. |
| Apple Watch | All models | All watchOS versions | The Watch must be connected to its paired iPhone; Handoff is unavailable when the Watch is configured for a family member. |
Ordinary Handoff versus FaceTime-call handoff
Do not use the general Handoff table to infer every Continuity feature. FaceTime-call handoff has a higher software floor than ordinary app-task handoff. On an iPhone or iPad, Apple requires iOS 16 or later or iPadOS 16 or later. A Mac must run macOS Ventura 13 or later.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Apple also says FaceTime calls can be handed off to and from Apple Vision Pro. That statement is specific to FaceTime calls; it does not establish Apple Vision Pro as a general endpoint for every Handoff-enabled app. Likewise, Apple TV appears in broader Continuity material but is not listed in Apple’s general Handoff requirements table. You should not assume that an Apple TV can receive ordinary Handoff tasks.
What must be true before Handoff can appear
Meeting the model and OS cutoff is only the first check. Handoff is a local Continuity feature, so the devices need to be configured as a pair (or group) rather than simply being products from the same company.
- Wi‑Fi is on on both devices.
- Bluetooth is on on both devices.
- Both devices are signed in to the same Apple Account.
- Handoff is enabled on each device. Apple says it is on by default in its setup guidance, but it can be switched off.
- The app supports Handoff and is installed on both devices.
- The sending device is unlocked, nearby, and actively displaying the task. Leaving the task open and in front makes the handoff prompt more reliable.
Apple’s examples of Handoff-capable apps include Calendar, Clock, Contacts, FaceTime, Freeform, Keynote, Mail, Maps, News, Notes, Numbers, Pages, Reminders, Safari, and Stocks. Third-party apps can support Handoff as well, but support is app-specific; two compatible devices do not make every app transferable.
Rank #2
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1320x2868px at 460ppi, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 4685mAh Battery
- 1TB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 Pro (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.05 GHz + 4x2.42 GHz), Apple GPU 6-core, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.3
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 12MP, f/2.8 (periscope telephoto) 5x optical zoom + 48MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth), Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9 (wide)
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
How to turn on Handoff
iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Open AirPlay & Continuity or AirPlay & Handoff. Apple uses both labels across operating-system versions.
- Turn on Handoff.
- Return to Settings and verify that Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth are enabled. Confirm that the Apple Account shown on the device is the one used on the other endpoint.
Mac
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select General, then open AirDrop & Continuity or AirDrop & Handoff.
- Turn on the Handoff option.
- On older macOS releases, open System Preferences > General and enable Handoff there.
- Check Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and the signed-in Apple Account before testing an app.
Apple’s setup article, published June 23, 2026, says Handoff is enabled by default, but checking the switch is worthwhile after a software update, account change, or device reset.
How to use Handoff in practice
- Open a Handoff-capable app on the sending device and leave the item you want to continue visible. Examples include a particular Safari page, an unfinished Mail message, or a document in Pages.
- Move close to the receiving device. Keep both devices awake long enough for the Continuity signal to be recognized.
- On a Mac, look in the Dock for the Handoff prompt at the edge associated with the originating device. Select it to open the task.
- On an iPad, look at the Dock for the Handoff icon. On an iPhone, open the App Switcher and select the Handoff banner when it appears.
- Continue editing or reading on the receiving device. If the prompt disappears, return to the source app and leave the task in the foreground before trying again.
The receiving device may open the app first and then restore the specific activity. If the app is not installed on the receiving device, there is no matching destination for the task.
Apple Watch Handoff limitations
Apple lists every Apple Watch model and every watchOS version for Handoff, but the Watch is not an independent endpoint in the same way as a Mac or iPad. Apple describes Watch Handoff as passing a task to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. The Watch must be connected to the iPhone with which it is paired.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
A Watch configured for a family member cannot use Handoff. This restriction applies even though the hardware itself is in the all-models category. When diagnosing a Watch, check the pairing relationship and connection status before treating the watchOS version as the problem.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Why a compatible device may not show Handoff
The model is below Apple’s cutoff
An iPhone older than the iPhone 5, an iPod touch older than the fifth generation, an iPad outside the listed families and generations, or a Mac introduced before its family’s year cutoff cannot be made compatible through a setting. For Macs, open Apple menu > About This Mac and use the displayed introduction year rather than the purchase date.
The operating system is too old
Supported hardware still needs the minimum software in Apple’s table. An eligible Mac running an OS X release earlier than Yosemite, or an eligible iPhone running an iOS release earlier than iOS 8, is outside the baseline requirement. FaceTime-call handoff needs the newer iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or macOS Ventura 13 floors even when ordinary Handoff works.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
The devices are on different accounts
Handoff is not a nearby-device sharing mode for arbitrary Apple Accounts. Open the account area in Settings on iPhone or iPad and the Apple Account pane in Mac system settings, then make sure the sign-in identity matches exactly.
Connectivity or proximity is missing
Turn on both Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, bring the devices close together, unlock the source device, and retry with the task visible. A device connected only through cellular data does not satisfy the normal setup requirement.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The app does not implement Handoff
Test with a listed Apple app such as Safari, Notes, Mail, or Calendar. If Handoff appears there but not in another app, the missing capability is likely app support rather than hardware. Install the same app on both devices and update it when the developer provides a compatible release.
Best Value
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. ProMotion technology. Always-On display. Titanium with textured matte glass back. Action button
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A17 Pro chip with 6-core GPU
- Pro camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide| Telephoto. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. Up to 10x optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 29 hours video playback. USB-C, Supports USB 3 for up to 20x faster transfers. Face ID
The Watch is using Family Setup
For Apple Watch, verify that it is paired directly with the iPhone you are using. A family-member configuration is an explicit Handoff restriction, not a symptom fixed by toggling Bluetooth.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A quick compatibility decision process
- Identify both endpoints. Record the exact iPhone, iPad generation, Apple Watch arrangement, or Mac family and introduction year.
- Check ordinary Handoff eligibility. Compare each endpoint with Apple’s model list and minimum operating system.
- Decide which feature you mean. App-task continuation uses the baseline table; FaceTime calls require the newer software versions and may include Vision Pro.
- Check the app. Confirm the same Handoff-capable app is installed on both devices.
- Check the connection state. Use the same Apple Account, enable Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and Handoff, and keep the source task open nearby.
- Test with a simple Apple app. Safari or Notes can show whether the Continuity setup works before you troubleshoot a third-party app.
Should you replace a device to get Handoff?
A replacement is necessary only when the hardware or operating system falls outside Apple’s requirements, or when the device cannot be updated to the required version. If your devices meet the table and the problem is limited to one app, changing hardware is unlikely to help; investigate the app’s Handoff support and the account, connectivity, and setting checks first.
Apple’s requirements and setup pages were current on October 13, 2026, and are dated March 30 and June 23, 2026 respectively. Apple can revise compatibility tables when it releases new operating systems or products, so recheck those support pages if your model or software is near a cutoff.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
