Continuity features and requirements for Apple devices

Continuity features make it seamless to move between your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro devices that meet the system requirements.

AirDrop

Use AirDrop to send documents, photos, videos, websites, map locations and more wirelessly from one Apple device to another:

Use AirDrop on iPhone or iPad

Use AirDrop on Mac

Use AirDrop on Apple Vision Pro

AirPlay to Mac

After you’ve set up your Mac to be an AirPlay receiver, you can stream or mirror content to your Mac from an iPhone, iPad or other Mac:

  • macOS Ventura or later: choose Apple menu  > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click AirDrop & Handoff on the right. Turn on AirPlay Receiver.

  • macOS Monterey: choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, click Sharing, then select AirPlay Receiver in the sidebar.

AirPlay to Mac works with these devices and operating systems.

iOS 14 or later

iPadOS 14 or later

macOS Monterey or later

  • iPhone 7 or later

  • iPad Pro (2nd generation) or later

  • iPad (6th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (3rd generation) or later

  • iPad mini (5th generation) or later

  • MacBook introduced in 2018 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2020 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2019 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

You can AirPlay to Mac at lower video resolutions from older iPhone, iPad and Mac models and operating systems if the AirPlay Receiver setting is turned on and the adjacent “Allow AirPlay for” setting is configured to allow AirPlay either for everyone or for anyone on the same network.

You can also use AirPlay to Mac to mirror your view on an Apple Vision Pro to your Mac.

Apple Pay

Use Apple Pay on your Mac to shop online, then complete your purchase using Apple Pay on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Set up Apple Pay

Make purchases using Apple Pay

Auto Unlock

Use Auto Unlock with your Apple Watch to get instant access to your Mac when wearing your Apple Watch, or approve other requests quickly to enter your Mac administrator password. This feature works with these devices and operating systems.

watchOS 3 or later

macOS Sierra or later

  • Apple Watch (all models)

  • MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in late 2013 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2014 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2013 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

To use Auto Unlock with Apple Watch Series 3 or later, your Mac needs macOS High Sierra or later.

To use Auto Unlock to approve requests for your Mac administrator password, your Apple Watch needs watchOS 6 or later, and your Mac needs macOS Catalina or later.

If you're not sure whether your Mac supports Auto Unlock, press and hold the Option key while choosing Apple menu  > System Information. Select Wi-Fi in the sidebar of System Information. On the right-hand side, look for ”Auto Unlock: Supported”.

Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac

Use your iPhone as a webcam for Mac. This feature works with these devices and operating systems.

iOS 16 or later

macOS Ventura or later

To use as a webcam:

  • iPhone XR or later (all iPhone models introduced in 2018 or later)

To also use the Center Stage feature:

  • iPhone 11 or later

To also use the Desk View feature:

  • iPhone 11 or later, excluding iPhone SE models

To also use the Studio Light feature:

  • iPhone 12 or later

To also use the Reactions feature:

  • iPhone 12 or later with iOS 17 or later

To also make manual framing adjustments:

  • iPhone XR or later

To also use the background replacement feature:

  • iPhone 12 or later with iOS 18 or later

To use with iPhone as a webcam:

  • Mac using macOS Ventura or later

To also use the Reactions feature or make manual framing adjustments:

  • Mac using macOS Sonoma or later

To also use the background replacement feature:

  • Mac using macOS Sequoia or later

Continuity Camera: use iPhone or iPad as a webcam for Apple TV

Use your iPhone or iPad as a webcam for Apple TV. This feature works with these devices and operating systems.

iOS 17 or later

iPadOS 17 or later

tvOS 17 or later

To use as a webcam:

  • iPhone XR or later (all iPhone models introduced in 2018 or later)

To also use the Center Stage feature:

  • iPhone 11 or later

To also use the Reactions feature:

  • iPhone 12 or later

To use as a webcam:

  • iPad Pro 11-inch (all models)

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) or later

  • iPad (8th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (3rd generation) or later

  • iPad mini (5th generation) or later

To also use the Center Stage feature:

  • iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) or later

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (5th generation) or later

  • iPad (9th generation) or later

  • iPad mini (6th generation)

To also use the Reactions feature:

  • iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) or later

  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (4th generation) or later

  • iPad (10th generation) or later

  • iPad mini (6th generation)

Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) or later

Continuity Camera: use iPhone or iPad to take photos or scan documents on Mac

Use your iPhone or iPad to take photos and scan documents. This feature works with these devices and operating systems.

iOS 12 or later

iPadOS (all)

macOS Mojave or later

  • iPhone

  • iPod touch

  • iPad

  • MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup

Use Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup with your iPhone or iPad to add sketches, shapes and other markup to a Mac document, and see the changes live on your Mac. Both features work with these devices and operating systems.

iOS 13 or later

iPadOS (all)

macOS Catalina or later

  • iPhone 6s or later, including iPhone SE models

  • iPod touch (7th generation) or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (5th generation) or later

  • iPad Air 2 or later

  • iPad mini 4 or later

  • MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

Handoff

Use Handoff to start work on one device, then switch to another nearby device and pick up where you left off. This feature works with these devices and operating systems:

iOS 8 or later

iPadOS (all)

OS X Yosemite or later

watchOS (all)

  • iPhone 5 or later

  • iPod touch (5th generation) or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (4th generation) or later

  • iPad Air or later

  • iPad mini or later

  • MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2012 later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

  • Apple Watch (all models)

To hand off a FaceTime call, your devices need macOS Ventura, iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later.

You can also hand off a FaceTime call from Apple Vision Pro.

Instant Hotspot

Use Instant Hotspot to connect to the Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) from your Mac, iPad or another iPhone, without entering a password. This feature requires one of these devices and operating systems.

Requirements for the device providing the Personal Hotspot

iOS 8.1 or later

iPadOS (all)

  • iPhone 5 or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (4th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (all models)

  • iPad mini (all models)

The device must have an activated network provider plan that offers Personal Hotspot service.

Requirements for the device connecting to the Personal Hotspot

iOS 8 or later

iPadOS (all)

OS X Yosemite or later

visionOS (all) 

  • iPhone 5 or later

  • iPod touch (5th generation) or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (4th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (all models)

  • iPad mini (all models)

  • MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

  • Apple Vision Pro

iPhone Mobile Calls

Use iPhone Mobile Calls to make and receive calls from your Mac or iPad when those devices are on the same network as your iPhone. This feature requires any iPhone using iOS 8.1 or later and an activated network provider plan. You can then relay calls to and from that iPhone from these devices:

  • Mac using OS X Yosemite or later (Mac mini and Mac Pro require an external microphone or headset)

  • iPhone, iPad or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later

iPhone Mirroring

Use iPhone Mirroring to wirelessly interact with your iPhone and its apps and notifications from your Mac. Your iPhone stays locked, so no one else can access it or use it to see what you’re doing.

iPhone widgets on Mac

Use widgets from your iPhone directly on your Mac, without needing the corresponding app to be installed on your Mac.

  • Mac using macOS Sonoma or later

  • iPhone using iOS 17 or later

Mac Virtual Display

Use Mac Virtual Display to use Apple Vision Pro as a private, portable 4K display for your Mac.

  • Mac using macOS Sonoma or later

  • Apple Vision Pro

Mirror My View

Use the Mirror My View feature on Apple Vision Pro to mirror what you see on Apple Vision Pro to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible smart TV.

  • Apple Vision Pro

  • iPhone with iOS 17.2 or later, iPad with iPadOS 17.2 or later, Mac that supports AirPlay to Mac, Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or AirPlay-compatible smart TV

Sidecar

Use Sidecar to use your iPad as a second display that extends or mirrors your Mac desktop, or as a tablet input device to draw with Apple Pencil in Mac apps. This feature works with these devices and operating systems.

iPadOS 13 or later

macOS Catalina or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (6th generation) or later

  • iPad mini (5th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (3rd generation) or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or later

  • MacBook introduced in 2016 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2017 or later, or iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2019

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

Text Message Forwarding

Use Text Message Forwarding to send and receive text messages from your iPhone on your Mac or iPad. This feature requires an activated network provider plan on any iPhone using iOS 8.1 or later. You can then send and receive text messages from these devices:

  • Mac using OS X Yosemite or later

  • iPhone, iPad or iPod touch using iOS 8 or later

  • Apple Vision Pro

Universal Clipboard

Use Universal Clipboard to copy content such as text, images, photos and videos on one Apple device, then paste the content on another Apple device. This feature works with these devices and operating systems when copying text, images, photos and videos from one Apple device to another.

iOS 10 or later

macOS Sierra or later

visionOS (all)

  • iPhone 5 or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (4th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (all models)

  • iPad mini 2 or later

  • iPod touch (6th generation) or later

  • MacBook introduced in 2015 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2012 or later

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

  • Apple Vision Pro

To use Universal Clipboard to copy entire files from one Mac to another, each Mac requires macOS High Sierra or later.

Universal Control

Use Universal Control to use the keyboard, mouse or trackpad of your Mac to control up to two other nearby Mac or iPad devices, and work between them seamlessly. This feature works with these devices and operating systems.

iPadOS 15.4 or later

macOS Monterey 12.3 or later

  • iPad Pro (all models)

  • iPad (6th generation) or later

  • iPad Air (3rd generation) or later

  • iPad mini (5th generation) or later

  • MacBook introduced in 2016 or later

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2016 or later

  • MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later

  • Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later

  • iMac introduced in 2017 or later, plus iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)

  • iMac Pro

  • Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later

  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later

To use your Mac computer’s keyboard and trackpad to work on your Mac within Apple Vision Pro, use Mac Virtual Display instead.

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