Can't get Handoff or continuity working

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Wyvern

91 posts

Master Geek

#154109 18-Oct-2014 08:13

I was running the last version of the Yosemite public beta but have now upgraded to the full release version in the App store. Neither version was/ is giving me the option to turn on handoff in System Preferences/ General tab.

Although at an earlier Yosemite Public beta version (can't remember which one sorry) I did manage receive and make calls from my Mac (via iPhone) so at some point it did work.

I have a mid 2011 Macbook air (according to Apple this is compatible) and have checked the System Report / Bluetooth and confirmed that the LMP version is 0x6, so again thats compatible. I am signed in to iCloud on both Mac and iPhone. My iPhone 6 is running iOS 8.02 and had bluetooth turned on

Anyone know what might be wrong?

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

MikeB4

18435 posts

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#1157284 18-Oct-2014 08:23

Check in System Report if your machine has Bluetooth 4.0, LMP Version 0x6. It needs Bluetooth LE to work.

edit; sorry just read this again with my glasses on and seen you have already checked BT version.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#1157285 18-Oct-2014 08:25

May need iOS 8.1 next week.

Wyvern

91 posts

Master Geek

#1157296 18-Oct-2014 08:38

iOS 8.1 only required for SMS features. The problem seems to be with Yosemite not iOS as I don't have the setting for Handoff showing in System Preferences at all. Its supposed to be under the General option.

myopinion

938 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1157309 18-Oct-2014 08:57

Are you signed into iCloud in OS X?

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#1157312 18-Oct-2014 09:07

Wyvern: iOS 8.1 only required for SMS features.

Ahh. I knew it was needed for some part of it!

Wyvern

91 posts

Master Geek

#1157315 18-Oct-2014 09:20

Yes I am signed into iCloud on both devices

Wyvern

91 posts

Master Geek

#1157518 18-Oct-2014 16:04

ok so I have found this... http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/

That is pretty clear that macbook air mid 2011 wont work when it talks about handoff feature. Strange thing is thought there is heaps of major sites (cnet, gizmodo, cultofmac etc) out there saying that mid 2011 is ok and that Bluetooth 4.0 LME 0x6 is the minimum - and the mid 2001 air has that.

Even stranger is that when I was running earlier version of Yosemite public beta, it was working fine then. I was making and receiving calls on my mac. So suspect that Apple is now playing mean and trying to force people to upgrade Mac Air hardware.. grrrr. that really annoys me.

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gehenna

8495 posts

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#1157882 19-Oct-2014 14:16

Yeah I've run into this too. I definitely have the right and supported Bluetooth version but the option to turn things on/off in System Preferences is gone. So this means allowing this feature is arbitrary on the part of Apple, not just based on supported hardware as they've said all along. Pretty disappointing to be honest.

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#1159071 21-Oct-2014 10:20

I have a Macbook Pro, but its a mid-2010 and I was really looking forward to Continuity features. I have however read that some people have managed to get USB Bluetooth adapters working with Continuity, so I am looking into this.

One question for the wider audience - as my Macbook Pro has an SD Card slot, does anyone know of a Bluetooth LE SD Card?

By the way - Engadget seems to have the best definition (that I have read so far) of the requirements for Continuity here http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/16/os-x-yosemite-review/

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#1159722 22-Oct-2014 08:41

Continuity is supposedly not supported for USB BT devices.

I've upgraded my 2008 Mac Pro with a combo Wifi\BT card from a modern MacBook which gives it all the relevant capabilities.

You can see if your system has the required hardware by going into the System Profiler and in the Bluetooth section look for "Handoff Supported".

Supported hardware: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6337?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

@KnightNZ