Handoff Breakdown With Activation Tool

[hu171]

hi UncleSchnitty, I did enter the recovery mode, however, when I click "Reinstall OS X" option and click "Continue", it asks me to contact AppleCare. I am wondering do I need applecare for reinstall my system???

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Would it be helpful if I use Disk Utility in the recovery mode to do the permission repair?? I tried several times, but it seems like useless.

Hi guys, i used recovery mode to reinstall Yosimite again, However, it didnt work. the problem is still. ANYONE HAS IDEA how to recover it???? I just followed the step3 and it made my laptop complete useless.

 

[score4fps]

Old Kexts?

Hi,
After successful implementation, what should I do with the Kexts on the desktop? Trash 'em?
Thanks!

 

[windywalks]

Hi,
After successful implementation, what should I do with the Kexts on the desktop? Trash 'em?
Thanks!

You can store them in another folder for future reference so as not to have to repeat the whole procedure again if Apple decides to modify them in an update.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Hi,
After successful implementation, what should I do with the Kexts on the desktop? Trash 'em?
Thanks!

I also suggest putting them on a disk somewhere and if a update knocks off handoff then you can just kext drop those in. That way you won't have to start all over.

 

[slgarza]

Excellent tutorial, many thanks really appreciate it!
i have a question, which parts are compatible with my early 2011 MBP? can i buy them online or should i go ask for a new bluetooth module at an Apple store?

 

[zduhac]

There are a ton of threads about this and I just wanted to put all the findings in one place with the updated procedures since there have been a lot of modifications recently.

Basically Handoff requires a built in Bluetooth 4.0 LE card to work but Apple has blacklisted some of the models that came standard with BT4.0LE so a modified Kext is required. If your system does not have BT4.0LE you will need to replace the card (and possibly modify Kext) to get handoff to work.

Breakdown:

Macbook Air:Early 2008-2010: Requires new bluetooth/wifi card and modified Kext.

Macbook Air:Mid 2011:Requires modified kext only

Macbook Air:Mid 2012-2014: Works OTB

cMacbookPros:Mid 2009-Mid2012 requires new bluetooth/Wifi card and Modified Kext.

RetinaMacBook Pros: Works OTB.

cMacPros:Early2008-2013 requires new bluetooth/Wifi only

NMacPros:Works OTB .

MacMini:Early 2009-2010 requires new bluetooth/Wifi Card and modified Kext.

MacMini:Mid 2011-2012 Only requires Modified Kext

iMac:Mid 2007-2011 requires bluetooth/Wifi Card and Modified Kext

iMac:Late 2012-2013 works OTB

I will also update the list above if someone lets me know that something is off. Since I don't have access to all these machines I cant try them all out to know 100%


Kext Mod. TUTORIAL
Modified from Dokterdok’s original

1. Download and install 0xED in your Applications folder, you can get it from here:
http://www.suavetech.com/0xed/

2. Download and install KextDrop in your Applications folder, you can get it from here:
http://www.cindori.org/software/kextdrop/

3. Repair your disk permissions. Go-> Utilities-> Disk Utility, then First Aid, Repair Permissions.

Then open Terminal and type :

sudo nvram boot-args="kext-dev-mode=1"

4. Restart your machine.

5. Open Finder, type CMD+Shift+G and go to /System/Library/Extensions/

6. Copy the files below to your desktop and then delete the originals. Make an extra backup copy of the 2 files in a separate folder just in case something doesn't work.
Code:
IO80211Family.kext
IOBluetoothFamily.kext

7. Go to Terminal, and type:exactly as below:

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

then

sudo kextcache -system-caches

8. Reboot (At this point your wifi will not be working)

9. Go to Terminal, and type: (exactly as below)

ioreg -l | grep "board-id" | awk -F\" '{print $4}'

10. Your result should look like : Mac-742912EFDBEE19B3, (yours might be different.). Copy it to your clipboard (Select and CMD+C). Don't close terminal yet.

11. Open Finder and hit CMD+Shift+G, go to ~/Desktop/IO80211Family.kext/Contents/Plugins/AirPortBrcm4360.kext/Contents/MacOS
Note: if you have a different OS language, you might need to replace "Desktop" in the path with your local translation.

12. Right Click on AirPortBrcm4360, and choose OPEN WITH: OTHER: 0XED

13. In the upper right hand corner under “search text" search for "Mac-" (without the quotes).

14. Look at the first result, for example, it might be Mac-00BE6ED71E35EB86

15. Delete the numbers after Mac- and Manually type your Mac- numbers (from step 8 be very careful not to delete anything else just the numbers.

16. Press down arrow till you get to the last Mac- (should look like Mac-2E6FAB96566FE58C)

17.Delete the numbers after Mac- and Manually type your Mac- numbers (from step 8 be very careful not to delete anything else just the numbers.

18. Click Save (the red circle)

19. Open Finder and hit CMD+Shift+G to open the "Go to" popup, and go to ~/Desktop/IOBluetoothFamily.kext/Contents/MacOS

20. Right Click on IOBluetoothFamily, and choose OPEN WITH: OTHER: 0XED.

21. In the SEARCH field (upper right corner) type:MacBookAir then enter.

22. You will find a block of text containing
Code:
'MacBookAir4,1''MacBookAir4,2''Macmini5,1''Macmini5,2''Macmini5,3'
Manually replace the numbers with ones only so they all look like:
Code:
'MacBookAir1,1''MacBookAir1,1''Macmini1,1''Macmini1,1''Macmini1,1'
Important: Be careful not to add any character while doing the replacement.

23. Click SAVE (the red circle button) and quit 0xED.

24. Open KextDrop, and Drag and drop the IO80211Family.kext that you modified into the window.

25. Click INSTALL.

26. Repeat steps 24 and 25 but for your modified IOBluetoothFamily.kext

27. Go Back to Terminal, and type the following commands. Wait for each one to finish.

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

You should see:
kext-dev-mode allowing invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext IOBluetoothFamily.kext

kext-dev-mode allowing invalid signature -67061 0xFFFFFFFFFFFEFA0B for kext AirPortBrcm4360.kext

sudo kextcache -system-caches

Nothing should show here.
Finally

nvram -p | grep "kext-dev-mode" | awk -F'=' '{print $2}'

If printout says "1" then you are in kext dev mode and your new kexts will be allowed to run.


28. Reboot. Make sure you have an Internet connection for the next steps.

29. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> GENERAL, at the bottom click ENABLE HANDOFF.
(if this is not available then something went wrong and you have to use KextDrop to put your old kexts back in then run

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

sudo kextcache -system-caches

again, repair your permissions and start over)

30. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> ICLOUD, click on SIGN OUT.

31. On your iOS Device, go to SETTINGS> ICLOUD and SIGN OUT.

32. Restart your Mac and iOS device.

33. Go to > SYSTEM PREFERENCES> ICLOUD, and enter your credentials to sign in. (make sure keychain is active)

34. On your iOS Device, go to SETTINGS> ICLOUD and SIGN IN.(make sure keychain is active)



Troubleshooting:

1:Make sure your keychain is enabled under Preferences-> iCloud on both devices.

2:Make sure you iDevices have a charge over 25% (sometimes it turns handoff off if battery is too low)

3:Make sure Handoff is enabled under Settings-> General-> Handoff on iDevices

4:Make sure they are on the same wifi network and bluetooth is on on all devices.

5:Make sure you aren't pairing your devices under bluetooth.


Hopefully this can be one place to get all the facts strait.
Goodluck!
Thanks to DokterDok,MacVidCards, mikecwest, Lem3ssie and anyone else I forgot...

Can someone help me out, please. I installed a fresh copy of Yosemite on my MBA 2011 and followed the tutorial to the letter. Everything is working great, except for AirDrop. It won't let me send files from iOS to MBA, but is working great the other way round. This little thing is driving me crazy!

 

[Bassaxoharp]

Handoff works Macbook Air to iPad and iPhone, but not vice versa

HI

I completed the steps and when I completed the steps everything works beautifully (for some reason I can't get my macbook air to take or make calls), but for handoff this fix works for my late mod 2011 macbook air.

The problem is once I log off of the computer, the macbook air does not recognize the handoff of my iOS devices. In order to get it to recognize it again, I have to start with the steps of installing the kext and doing the final steps again. I should not have to do this each time I reboot my computer.

Any fixes? Any one else experience this. Again, no matter if I restart or not, the handoff works Macbook Air to iOS devices, but not iOS to Macbook air.

 

[jh1985]

UncleShnitty, can you send me the original files as well? I made one copy of the files...not two, like a dummy. Ready to send email after you see this thread.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Excellent tutorial, many thanks really appreciate it!
i have a question, which parts are compatible with my early 2011 MBP? can i buy them online or should i go ask for a new bluetooth module at an Apple store?

You need the BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX. order it online but make sure that is the exact model they are sending you, and when you get it double check and make sure. Ive seen a lot of people who ordered them and were sent the older card.

I don't think you can get it at an apple store to be honest.

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HI

I completed the steps and when I completed the steps everything works beautifully (for some reason I can't get my macbook air to take or make calls), but for handoff this fix works for my late mod 2011 macbook air.

The problem is once I log off of the computer, the macbook air does not recognize the handoff of my iOS devices. In order to get it to recognize it again, I have to start with the steps of installing the kext and doing the final steps again. I should not have to do this each time I reboot my computer.

Any fixes? Any one else experience this. Again, no matter if I restart or not, the handoff works Macbook Air to iOS devices, but not iOS to Macbook air.

Thats strange, I have not seen that issue before. Ill look into it and if I find something Ill let you know. Normally when it works it just works.

UncleShnitty, can you send me the original files as well? I made one copy of the files...not two, like a dummy. Ready to send email after you see this thread.

Whats your email ill send them to you.

 

[jh1985]

jonfhoffman at gmail dot com. Thanks

 

[Bassaxoharp]

You need the BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX. order it online but make sure that is the exact model they are sending you, and when you get it double check and make sure. Ive seen a lot of people who ordered them and were sent the older card.

I don't think you can get it at an apple store to be honest.

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Thats strange, I have not seen that issue before. Ill look into it and if I find something Ill let you know. Normally when it works it just works.


Whats your email ill send them to you.

Thanks from Bassaxoharp: And yes, like right now, I can tell the bluetooth is connected, to my device and whatever I do on my MacBook Air handoff to the iOS, but not vice versa. Strange. Anyone know why I can't take calls though??

 

[simonsi]

emailaddress @ gmail.com. Thanks

You will be wondering why you get a lot of spam....

 

[StevenWalker]

HI

.....(for some reason I can't get my macbook air to take or make calls)

Mine works perfect... HOWEVER, there is a catch...

The phone must not be sleeping/idle, it has to be unlocked and sitting there, before the Air will connect to it and make a call.

Likewise for AirDrop.... you cant send anything if the ios device is locked... they must be unlocked and 'waiting'...

 

[jh1985]

Yeah...couldn't find a private message function, and I'm an idiot that didn't space that out more. Oh well.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Thanks from Bassaxoharp: And yes, like right now, I can tell the bluetooth is connected, to my device and whatever I do on my MacBook Air handoff to the iOS, but not vice versa. Strange. Anyone know why I can't take calls though??

How can you tell that the bluetooth is connected?

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Yeah...couldn't find a private message function, and I'm an idiot that didn't space that out more. Oh well.

To be fair you can't PM as a "macrumors newbie" Ive just been having people who can't pm and need to contact me post email and then delete it once they get my email.

 

[Scrumpditty]

Perfect

Followed the OP's first post step by step on my Mac Mini mid-2011 and it worked flawlessly, thank you!

After signing out and signing back into iCloud on all my devices, it did take a bit for all of them to start working. I think it just takes a min or so for the bluetooth on all the devices to set themselves and start communicating, but it's worked without a hitch since.

 

[ftgibson]

Mid-2011 iMac?

Anyone have any luck with this? I see OP lists the 2011 iMac as supported with bluetooth/wifi card and kext edit - but the mid-2011 uses two cards for these things - different than the rest of you folks with the one card. Thoughts?

 

[pcdoc]

Successful, but doesn't work

I followed the post to the letter and everything worked perfectly, the Handoff check box is now present and checked on my Mid 2011 Macbook Air. I also followed all the steps to turn iCloud off on all devices and then turn back on, including keychain.

However, there is no handoff between my Macbook Air and my iPhone 6 plus. It just is not working. Any help?

 

[StevenWalker]

Fix permissions and reboot Air

 

[Bassaxoharp]

From Bassaxoharp

How can you tell that the bluetooth is connected?



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To be fair you can't PM as a "macrumors newbie" Ive just been having people who can't pm and need to contact me post email and then delete it once they get my email.

Hey, it shows at the top that it is connected to my iPad via the bluetooth symbol in menu bar. And like I like I said, I am able to handoff from Macbook Air to either my iPad or iPhone, but can't from my iOS to the Macbook. Just strange.

 

[powerbook911]

I followed the steps, seemed to go well, but I cannot make it work.

Do you have to do Safari iCloud syncing?

I'm trying to make things like Pages app work.

I am trying to enable a 2011 mini Server to iPhone 6.

 

[pcdoc]

Still no go

Fix permissions and reboot Air

Did this and still no indication of handoff either way.

 

[powerbook911]

Thanks a bunch! I did the additional permission repair, and it now works for me!!!

Terrific! Thanks. A shame you need such new devices to use this.

So, anytime Apple does a OS X update, I will lose this feature again? Is that correct?

It's fun to try it out, hopefully it will be a while until the next update.

 

[truncj]

Just wanted to say thanks for such an in-depth tutorial! Airdrop is working and Handoff works minus some bugs with Handoff itself. All on a 2011 MBA...I knew there weren't hardware limitations..

 

[logname]

Thank You!

Hopefully this can be one place to get all the facts strait.

Perfect! Thank you very much! I tried to follow other posts first, but they were missing important steps. Started over with the backed up kext files using the steps you posted and Handoff is now working perfectly on my Mid 2011 MBA!

In fact, it's working so well, I'm puzzled at this point as to why Apple excluded Mid 2011 MBAs from the Yosemite release. Maybe it's a work in progress and there's still something that's not exactly right with older Macs, but in my case I'm not seeing an issue at all.

I really like Handoff and I'm quite pleased you helped me get this working.

BTW: Some seem confused about what this change does. This change enables Handoff and AirPlay to Apple TV via Bluetooth, not the Phone and SMS features. Those work over WiFi without this change. If you just want the phone and SMS features of Continuity, I had the phone calls to/from Mac feature working with Yosemite 10.10 GM on my Mid 2011 MBA and iOS 8.02 on my 4S. Once I updated to iOS 8.1 the SMS feature started working too.