Ever wondered how Apple makes its devices work so smoothly together? Here’s your ultimate guide to using the best “Continuity” features to effortlessly bridge your iPhone with other Apple products.
Requirements
Before we get started, note that for most of these features to work, your devices should be near one another, logged into the same Apple ID, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and have bluetooth enabled. You’ll also need the latest software updates for some of these features.
Instantly continue tasks on another device
Handoff lets you pick up exactly where you left off, even when switching between devices. For example, if you’re drafting an email or viewing a webpage on your iPhone, look for the app icon at the left side of your Mac’s Dock or at the bottom of your iPad’s app switcher – it will appear automatically when Handoff is active. Just click or tap that icon, and you’ll instantly continue your activity on the new device.
Copy and paste seamlessly between devices
Universal Clipboard enables you to effortlessly copy text, photos, or videos on your iPhone and paste them directly onto your Mac or iPad. Simply highlight and copy your content as you normally would (tap and hold on iPhone, or use Command+C on Mac). Then switch to your other device, tap or click where you want to paste, and select Paste (tap and hold again on iPhone/iPad, or Command+V on Mac).
Use your iPhone as a high-quality webcam
Continuity Camera transforms your iPhone into an impressive webcam for your Mac. Perfect for video calls, meetings, or capturing quick snapshots into documents. To activate, ensure your iPhone is unlocked and nearby, then open an app like FaceTime or Zoom on your Mac. In the app’s camera settings, select your iPhone from the camera source dropdown. Your Mac will instantly switch to your iPhone’s powerful camera, delivering much higher-quality video than most built-in webcams.
Answer phone calls on your Mac or iPad
If your iPhone rings while you’re busy working on your Mac or iPad, you can answer without grabbing your phone. Incoming calls display notifications at the top-right corner of your Mac screen or as a standard call notification on your iPad. Simply click or tap to accept the call. To make outgoing calls, open FaceTime or Contacts, choose the contact, and select the phone icon. Activate the feature through your iPhone’s Settings by navigating to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices.
Mirror your iPhone’s screen effortlessly
Quickly display your iPhone’s screen on your Mac for presentations, troubleshooting, or just a bigger view. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open your iPhone’s Control Centre, tap the Screen Mirroring icon (two overlapping rectangles), and choose your Mac from the list of available devices. After a brief pause, your Mac will start displaying exactly what’s shown on your iPhone.
Extend your Mac screen using your iPad
With Sidecar, your iPad becomes a portable second monitor for your Mac, ideal for multitasking or creative work. To enable Sidecar, open your Mac’s Control Centre (top-right menu bar), click Display, and select your iPad under the “Connect to” menu. You can then drag applications directly onto your iPad’s screen, use Apple Pencil for precise tasks, and enjoy additional touchscreen capabilities right alongside your Mac desktop.
Troubleshooting
Having trouble connecting your devices? First, as mentioned earlier, double-check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled across all your devices and that you’re signed into the same Apple ID. If features don’t activate immediately, sometimes simply restarting your devices can resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that features like Universal Clipboard can occasionally experience a slight delay – if pasting doesn’t immediately work, wait a few seconds and try again. Also, newer Continuity features such as Continuity Camera and Sidecar require more recent software versions, so older hardware or outdated iOS/macOS versions might not support them.