Want to use Handoff without buying a new Mac? Check out the ‘Continuity Activation Tool’

By Matthew S. Smith December 24, 2014

OS X Yosemite continuity 3 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The release of OS X 10.10, also know as Yosemite, brought innovative cross-device text, call and application sharing features to people who own a Mac and an iPhone or iPad. Well, some people; the feature doesn’t work with older systems that lack compatibility with Bluetooth 4.0.

That caused some ruckus, as you might expect, and enterprising Apple fans began to explore ways the feature might be unofficially brought to unsupported devices. After a bit of research a post on the MacRumors forums put together a guide for getting Continuity features to work on old Macs.

Related: Check out our full review of OS X Yosemite

Not ready to stop there, other fans further bolstered support by putting together the “Continuity Activation Tool,” which has the ability to add Handoff, Instant Hotspot and the latest version of Airdrop to some unsupported Macs. It works with Bluetooth 4.0 USB dongles, which means “many Macs from 2008 and later” can now use Continuity.

The oldest Macs supported are in fact from mid-2007; the iMacs released that year will work alongside an AirPort Extreme. Remaining models supported by the software mostly work in conjunction with a Bluetooth 4.0 dongle, an AirPort Extreme, or both (whichever you choose). The 2011 MacBook Air and Mac Mini work simply by running the tool, no additional hardware required.

The Continuity Activation Tool is not official software and developed by enterprising fans in their spare time, so it’s not guaranteed to work and comes with the typical recommendation that user back up files before installing. From what users who’ve tried it say, though, it appears to be quite stable. And it’s free, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t give it a whirl – after you’ve backed up your files, of course.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Matthew S. Smith

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…

Computing

Best Buy has a refurbished MacBook for $580, and it’s a good buy

Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Typically, refurbished MacBook deals, or most refurbished laptop deals for that matter, aren't worth the cost. You can buy a brand-new system for about the same price, especially thanks to the best MacBook deals out there. But that's not the case with a deal Best Buy has available right now. You can get a Geek Squad Certified and refurbished MacBook Air, with an Intel 8th Gen Core i5, for just $580 -- that saves you $320 off the usual $900 price. A newer model MacBook Air is going to cost you over $900, especially when you factor in taxes and shipping. This is the 2019 model, so while it is a few years old, you're still getting a laptop that can go the distance, as Apple's software updates usually keep older systems performing well.

Why you should buy this refurbished MacBook Air deal at Best Buy
Generally, we only recommend buying refurbished or renewed products straight from the manufacturer, but Best Buy's Geek Squad is the exception to that rule. That's because all refurbished and certified products go through rigorous testing, with detailing, sanitization, and cosmetic grading for the finished product done before they're put up for sale. In other words, they take their time to make sure they certify only good products in reasonable condition. Even if a bad egg slips by, they offer a 90-day warrant with extended warranty protection available -- if you're worried about extended coverage. Although extended warranties are available on an item-by-item basis, some may not qualify.

Computing

Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook

Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple makes some of the most popular tech on the planet. Apple devices offer premium hardware and designs, and its software ecosystem makes work and play easier, more convenient, and often more fun. Apple devices regularly earns spots among the best smartwatches, best laptops, best wireless earbuds, and best tablets. All of these devices offer a great opportunity to save right now, as some of the best Apple deals we’ve seen are currently available to shop. We’ve rounded them all up into one place for your convenience, so if you’re in the market for a new MacBook, Apple Watch, iPad, or something else made by Apple, read onward for more information on the best Apple deals taking place right now.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $83, was $99

Insert the Apple AirTag into your bag, gadget, or any item that you may misplace, so that you can track it if you lose it. The Apple AirTag is one of the best Bluetooth trackers if you're using an iPhone or iPad because not only does it offer a one-tap setup, but it can utilize the millions of devices in Apple's Find My network to help you find your stuff if it goes beyond the Bluetooth range of 30 feet. It's powered by a replaceable battery that can last for more than a year before you need a new one.

Computing

Which color MacBook should you buy? Here’s how to pick

The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

Apple’s MacBook laptops come in a range of colors, and selecting which is right for you can be a tricky business. Sure, it’s perhaps not as important as deciding which chip to pick or how much memory you should buy, but it’s still a vital part of the equation. After all, you’re going to see that color every time you reach for your MacBook. You don’t want it to be something that fills you with regret.

But how should you pick a MacBook color? And what do the colors even look like in the first place? We’ve got the answers to those questions in this guide. We’d also advise you to go to an Apple Store to take a look at the MacBook colors in person, as some can be hard to appreciate just by browsing Apple’s website.