Do you need BlueTooth 4.0 for SMS message integration?

[carmine782]

I read that you need a Mac with BlueTooth 4.0 in order to use the new handoff features in MAC OS X Yosemite. I was wondering if anyone knows what the requirements are for the SMS messaging integration that allows you to see SMS messages (from friends who use other devices) on all your devices?

Do you need a Mac with Bluetooth 4.0 for that feature?


Also, For my IOS 8.1 devices, does my iPhone 6 need to be connected to Wifi in order for the SMS messages to appear on my iPad Air and my Mac.


Write back
Thanks!
Carmine

 

[gamesetmatch]

Handoff and Continuity are not the same thing.

You need Bluetooth enabled to have the Handoff features across your devices.

SMS Text Forwarding/iMessages/FaceTime do NOT require Bluetooth. This feature is called Continuity and is Bluetooth-independent.

I have a Mac that doesn't support Handoff but handles Continuity in a good way.

Hope this helps,

Mark.

 

[carmine782]

Great Thanks!!!!

One quick thing, does my iPhone need to be connected to WiFi in order for the SMS messaging forwarding, FaceTime, Phone Call integration to work?

Carmine

 

[gamesetmatch]

Hi Carmine,

Your iPhone, and your other devices as well, need ALL to be connected to the SAME WiFi network and using the same iCloud account to work in synch.

-Mark.

 

[c0LdFire]

It does have to be on the same WiFi network for call continuity to work.

It does NOT seem to have to be on the same WiFi network for SMS continuity to work - both devices just need to have a data connection. I'm able to use this feature without WiFi even being enabled on my phone. Hell, I'm able to use this feature when remoting in to my Mac from 15 miles away at work.

 

[zoemacuser]

Okay, so if Bluetooth 4.0 isn't required to send SMS from Messages on a Mac running 10.10... How do you send SMS?

I go to Messages, chose a phone number for someone without an iOS device, and the number turns red, and the message won't send. It is as if nothing has changed from 10.9.

YES both my iPhone and MBP are on the same WiFi network. YES I can call out of my MBP and/or receive calls on the MBP. That works fine.

I just cannot message people without iOS devices using Messages on the MBP.

Is there a setting somewhere to enable this?

 

[zoemacuser]

UPDATE: I am guessing that whoever said that Bluetooth 4.0 isn't required to share SMS was wrong. Everything I read online says that in order to send and receive SMS on my MBP under Yosemite I need to go to the General pane in System Preferences and enable Handoff.

Since Handoff requires BT 4.0, SMS must as well. Since I don't have BT 4.0... No SMS sharing.

Disappointing, but I'll get over it.

 

[swordfish5736]

You are all missing a very important piece of the puzzle....iOS 8.1, once that is released you will be able to use SMS relay.

 

[zoemacuser]

Ah, well, that would be important yes. Nice of Apple to include that in the support documentation. The pages I read all said it was a feature of Yosemite, just pop on into Messages and start using SMS. Nothing was said about needing 8.1.

Maybe I need to watch the video from yesterday's product launch. I might pick up on other little tidbits.

Thanks!

 

[c0LdFire]

I've specifically tested it with WiFi and Bluetooth both disabled on my phone.

I'm pretty sure it just routes everything through your iCloud account. If your iPhone has a data connection, regardless of where it's sitting, you can relay SMS messages through it.

 

[maclove4life]

Handoff and Continuity are not the same thing.

You need Bluetooth enabled to have the Handoff features across your devices.

SMS Text Forwarding/iMessages/FaceTime do NOT require Bluetooth. This feature is called Continuity and is Bluetooth-independent.

I have a Mac that doesn't support Handoff but handles Continuity in a good way.

Hope this helps,

Mark.

continuity is phone calling, right?

 

[simon48]

continuity is phone calling, right?

Not really... Continuity is a umbrella term for a bunch of features. Take a look at Apple's page for Continuity.

 

[maclove4life]

Not really... Continuity is a umbrella term for a bunch of features. Take a look at Apple's page for Continuity.

after looking at it...ok i see what you saying..phone call is part of it.

 

[carmine782]

Does SMS Relay in Yosemite require Bluetooth 4.0 ?

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro without Bluetooth 4.0. Just wondering if SMS Relay will work or does it require Bluetooth 4.0 like the handoff features. I'm getting conflicting answers on this. Just want to make sure.

thanks!
Carmine

 

[gamesetmatch]

I have a 2009 MacBook Pro without Bluetooth 4.0. Just wondering if SMS Relay will work or does it require Bluetooth 4.0 like the handoff features. I'm getting conflicting answers on this. Just want to make sure.

thanks!
Carmine

SMS relay is part of the Continuity feature and all you need is to have iOS 8.1 installed on your devices. No Bluetooth is needed for SMS relay, Phone calls and iMessages.

iOS 8.1 will be released on Monday, October 20 -- you'll be able to send SMS to people who don't have iPhones via Messages app on your Mac. When someone you wanna text does not have an iPhone, the "To" field will become green, as opposed to bright blue (indicator of iMessage).

Bluetooh is required for Handoff, which is not the same as Continuity.

I hope I made myself clear.

--Mark.