iPhone Handoff Not Working - How to Fix

Handoff requires the same Apple ID everywhere:

• iPhone: Settings → [Your Name] → Check Apple ID
• Mac: System Settings → Apple ID
• iPad: Settings → [Your Name]
• Make sure iCloud is signed in on all devices
• Two-factor authentication must be enabled

On iPhone/iPad:

• Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff
• Toggle Handoff ON

On Mac:

• System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff
• Check Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices

On Apple Watch:

• Open Watch app on iPhone
• General → Enable Handoff

Handoff needs both wireless radios:

• Turn Bluetooth ON on all devices
• Turn Wi-Fi ON on all devices
• Devices should be on the same Wi-Fi network
• Keep devices within Bluetooth range (~30 feet)

Reset the Handoff connection:

1. Turn OFF Handoff on all devices
2. Restart all devices
3. Turn Handoff back ON on each device
4. Wait 1-2 minutes for connection to establish

Refresh your iCloud connection:

On iPhone:

1. Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out
2. Keep copies of data when prompted
3. Restart iPhone
4. Sign back into iCloud

Repeat on Mac and iPad if needed.

To receive iPhone calls on Mac/iPad:

On iPhone:

• Settings → Phone → Calls on Other Devices
• Toggle Allow Calls on Other Devices ON
• Enable each device you want to ring

On Mac:

• Open FaceTime
• FaceTime menu → Settings → Calls from iPhone

If copy/paste doesn't work between devices:

• Universal Clipboard uses Handoff — ensure it's enabled
• Try copying plain text first (images can fail)
• Wait a few seconds after copying before pasting
• Check that Bluetooth is connected between devices
• Large clipboard items may take longer or fail

Software updates fix Handoff bugs:

• iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → Software Update
• Mac: System Settings → General → Software Update
• Apple Watch: Watch app → General → Software Update

As a last resort on iPhone:

• Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings
• This clears Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings
• Reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-pair devices