Handoff Breakdown With Activation Tool

[kolvorok]

I'm now reinstalling Yosemite and will report back if things works.

Reinstalling from Recovery didn't do any difference. I run CAT 1.1.2, but Bluetooth is still missing. Must be a bad card - and it's the second I install for the third time. I'm shure it's CAX because I've been through with the 4AX before

Edit: Recovery placed Yosemite beta 5 on my MBP and I had to upgrade to beta 6 and 10.10.1. CAT did not help this time either, so I still suspect the card to be defect.

 

[ct1211]

Motorola "handoff" feature for Android

Is that a Motorola thing or an Android thing? What is it called? Does it need bluetooth or do everything through WiFi?

Sorry, I don't get here often. The Handoff like feature for Android I am using is called CONNECT. Now it may also be an add on to Google Chrome.

I just orders a new Moto X 2014 custom build Black face, Gray Metal trim with a Cognac leather back - Too cool... Motorola had a one day sale cyber Monday of $140.00 off a Moto X (so you get an unlocked GSM Phone, Pure Android, 5.1" screen always on Google commands (Similar to what the iPhone 6 will let you do if your phone is plugged in so sort of useless) At the end of the day putting any design or IOS likes dislikes aside - Its what my phone can do for me as a frequent traveller (I use a lot of Google maps and search features) You just cant beat what Google has added to functionality. Google has done two major upgrades to Google maps this week (Android only) that are out of this world for finding things, getting rerouted etc. I hope they bring some of this to you people still on iPhone.

So, if anyone is interested, I had put in for two of the Google discount codes for $140.00 off the Moto X - They expire December 6th! Let me know if you want the code via PM. Also, i used some Marriott travel points to order a gray iPhone 6 64GB phone (Ships with T-Mobile simm, can also use AT&T) - when it arrives around December 11 - Just so you know iPhone does not do simultaneous phone and data on Verizon or Sprint - (They wouldn't spring for the 49 cent extra Antenna) Which is why I was willing to switch to AT&T - I will be selling it if anyone is interested. My wife wants me in AA - Apple Android Anonymous!

 

[garry0325]

I finished the instructions above, but not sure if it is right or not, because I can't see anything appears on the bottom left of the lock screen on iPhone. I'm afraid that something wrong in the scripts.
But Instant Hotspot works.
Do I have to manually connect my iPhone to the Mac via bluetooth???
or it just works when both bluetooth is on???
because I failed to connect with each other via bluetooth, it says "not supported" on iPhone.

 

[schrecky]

1.The usb isn't for powering the card its actually information lanes. But yes we are looking to see under system report if the card is picking up the usb side.

2. The card will use the 2 antennas just fine but you may get more range if you mount 1 or 2 more under the top case.

3. yup thats it!

Hi @UncleSchnitty,

The card finally arrived and it is indeed a little too high/thick for my Macbook Pro Early 2008. But nevertheless I inserted it and I might even be able to fit it in with some tweaking.

With the new card, Wifi worked without any problems but I am not sure, wether bluetooth is running over the new or the old card.

Here is a screenshot of my system profiler BEFORE the new card was inserted:

and here it is with the new card inserted:

The only difference is, that is says "Handoff and Instant Hotspot supported YES" after I inserted the new card. But in both cases it keeps saying "Bluetooth Low Energy NO".

Two questions:

1) Does that mean the new card doesnt get usb-power to use its own bluetooth?

2) All I really wanna do is write SMS over my iMessages app on my Mac. Would that be possible?

Here is one more picture of how it looks at the moment

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Hi @UncleSchnitty,

The card finally arrived and it is indeed a little too high/thick for my Macbook Pro Early 2008. But nevertheless I inserted it and I might even be able to fit it in with some tweaking.

With the new card, Wifi worked without any problems but I am not sure, wether bluetooth is running over the new or the old card.

Here is a screenshot of my system profiler BEFORE the new card was inserted:
Image

and here it is with the new card inserted:
Image

The only difference is, that is says "Handoff and Instant Hotspot supported YES" after I inserted the new card. But in both cases it keeps saying "Bluetooth Low Energy NO".

Two questions:

1) Does that mean the new card doesnt get usb-power to use its own bluetooth?

2) All I really wanna do is write SMS over my iMessages app on my Mac. Would that be possible?

Here is one more picture of how it looks at the moment
Image
Image

That means that the usb data isn't coming thru the card. Unfortunately on laptops there is no easy fix for this, the only thing you can really do is figure out a way to run usb data.

If all you wanted was SMS over iMessage then you didn't have to do any of this just follow this link.

 

[schrecky]

That means that the usb data isn't coming thru the card. Unfortunately on laptops there is no easy fix for this, the only thing you can really do is figure out a way to run usb data.

If all you wanted was SMS over iMessage then you didn't have to do any of this just follow this link.

My goal was to enable the instant-hotspot and sms feature. Making calls over the macbook pro would be interesting, but isnt necessary at the moment.

But for the instant hotspot I need the new card as it looks, right?
And once I am trying to use the new one, BLE would of course be great. So is there any way to lay a cable to some usb point?

My plan was to remove the pci express slot underneath the wifi card and put the wifi card there instead then. I would have to turn it 90° and solder some sort of connector-cable, since I cannot move the original connector which is mounted fix on the board.

 

[dokterdok]

Continuity Activation Tool 2.0

I'm pleased to release the Continuity Activation Tool 2.0 which now also supports a selection of old Macs just by adding a USB Bluetooth 4.0 dongle.

The currently known upgrade options are detailed in the chart below.

Feedback welcome.

 

[TomH TX]

Dok: Amazing. You have done a wonderful thing. I have been using CAT with the CAX card on my early 11 15" since you first came out with it. You have now made these features available to even more people. Bravo!

 

[VolceOntra]

I'm pleased to release the Continuity Activation Tool 2.0 which now also supports a selection of old Macs just by adding a USB Bluetooth 4.0 dongle.

The currently known upgrade options are detailed in the chart below.

Image​

Feedback welcome.

Is there a chance that support for USB Dongles for iMac's with Atheros Wifi card in the feature? Amazing work, regardless.

 

[rgranger]

replaced dongle with ...4CAX version and no wifi

do I need to rediscover hardware? I haven't seen anyone else do this. The other thing I noticed is most of the pictures posted have a silver square on one side, mine has the same markings on the board side but it is all black on the back side with the antenna plugs. Any ideas? I put the old card back in because I need the wifi.
Thanks
rob
I am sorry, I accidentally posted this on another thread thinking it was this one.

 

[dokterdok]

Is there a chance that support for USB Dongles for iMac's with Atheros Wifi card in the feature? Amazing work, regardless.

I'm afraid not.
The Atheros Wi-Fi drivers that come with Yosemite don't include the technology (called AWDL - Apple Wireless Direct Link) required to make Handoff, new Airdrop, and Instant Hotspot work. Therefore the tool can't activate anything there unfortunately.

 

[VolceOntra]

I'm afraid not.
The Atheros Wi-Fi drivers that come with Yosemite don't include the technology (called AWDL - Apple Wireless Direct Link) required to make Handoff, new Airdrop, and Instant Hotspot work. Therefore the tool can't activate anything there unfortunately.

Thank you for your reply

 

[jlblodgett]

I am excited to see that my Late 2009, 27" iMac is now supported.

Is there a preferred bluetooth dongle?


EDIT: Followed the link and saw that there are some listed.

Thank you!

 

[Richdmoore]

I'm afraid not.
The Atheros Wi-Fi drivers that come with Yosemite don't include the technology (called AWDL - Apple Wireless Direct Link) required to make Handoff, new Airdrop, and Instant Hotspot work. Therefore the tool can't activate anything there unfortunately.

I don't know if you are building a more granular database, but my 2011 21.5” iMac uses the Atheros wifi, so it is a no-go for the easy option of using a dongle.

Just to make sure I understand correctly, if I can replace the wifi card with an updated model, I do not need your program, it will just work, correct?

 

[VolceOntra]

I don't know if you are building a more granular database, but my 2011 21.5” iMac uses the Atheros wifi, so it is a no-go for the easy option of using a dongle.

Just to make sure I understand correctly, if I can replace the wifi card with an updated model, I do not need your program, it will just work, correct?

You'll also need a Bluetooth 4 adapter I believe.

----------

I'm afraid not.
The Atheros Wi-Fi drivers that come with Yosemite don't include the technology (called AWDL - Apple Wireless Direct Link) required to make Handoff, new Airdrop, and Instant Hotspot work. Therefore the tool can't activate anything there unfortunately.

I was thinking, would it be possible with a USB wifi dongle + Bluetooth dongle?

 

[Richdmoore]

You'll also need a Bluetooth 4 adapter I believe.

----------



I was thinking, would it be possible with a USB wifi dongle + Bluetooth dongle?

The official apple ac card includes the Bluetooth. Reading the iMac thread, there were issues with routing cable and such, so maybe the new wifi compatible card (ignoring the Bluetooth) with a Bluetooth usb would be a good solution.

I read forum posts from macvidcards, when it was first discovered in the beta about the ac card requirements he said it was not possible to simply replace it with a usb one. Hopefully someone with more knowledge can chime in and explain why or why not that is correct.

 

[cscheat]

I'm pleased to release the Continuity Activation Tool 2.0 which now also supports a selection of old Macs just by adding a USB Bluetooth 4.0 dongle.

The currently known upgrade options are detailed in the chart below.

Image​

Feedback welcome.

hi dokterdok !

tq for the tool

is this meaning macbook pro early 2011 can just install this tool and enable continuity without hardware changes???

Please advice

 

[erpetao]

I tried the activation tool for the first time after upgrading to Yosemite in my mid 2011 macbook air.

First issue I encountered is that as soon as I enabled handoff, my bluetooth mouse starting to act very slow, with massive lags when moving the pointer around the screen. That was with a Belkin bluetooth mouse, so I replaced it with a magic trackpad to see if it was better, but same problem, massive lag and very difficult to use the pointer.

Reading online somebody suggested resetting the pram. Here is when I found the second (and much more serious) issue, after I reset the pram and rebooted, the wifi icon had a cross and it said "no hardware available". Which essentially left me without wifi.

It was really hard to research what to do as I had to use my iphone (obviously as I didn't have wifi in my MBA so no internet) so I ended up running again the activation tool and selecting the "uninstall" option. After a reboot, wifi was back on, and the bluetooth mouse and trackpad were both responsive again.

So to me, it is not worth enabling handoff in my MBA, perhaps that's why Apple didn't allow it in the first place?

 

[dokterdok]

hi dokterdok !

tq for the tool

is this meaning macbook pro early 2011 can just install this tool and enable continuity without hardware changes???

Please advice

Hi, to get Continuity on your MBP you either have to add a USB BT4.0 dongle or replace the AirPort Extreme card, as is described in the compatibility chart. I'd recommend you read the GitHub page to understand the pro's and con's of these upgrade options.

 

[dokterdok]

I tried the activation tool for the first time after upgrading to Yosemite in my mid 2011 macbook air.

First issue I encountered is that as soon as I enabled handoff, my bluetooth mouse starting to act very slow, with massive lags when moving the pointer around the screen. That was with a Belkin bluetooth mouse, so I replaced it with a magic trackpad to see if it was better, but same problem, massive lag and very difficult to use the pointer.

Reading online somebody suggested resetting the pram. Here is when I found the second (and much more serious) issue, after I reset the pram and rebooted, the wifi icon had a cross and it said "no hardware available". Which essentially left me without wifi.

It was really hard to research what to do as I had to use my iphone (obviously as I didn't have wifi in my MBA so no internet) so I ended up running again the activation tool and selecting the "uninstall" option. After a reboot, wifi was back on, and the bluetooth mouse and trackpad were both responsive again.

So to me, it is not worth enabling handoff in my MBA, perhaps that's why Apple didn't allow it in the first place?

It would be interesting to see if the laggy Bluetooth accessories can be reproduced on other Mac configurations to understand if this is isolated or not.

Regarding the PRAM-reset, this is indeed a limitation of CAT and I have a fix in the pipeline (no ETA). The tool depends on instructions written in the PRAM, which causes issues if you reset it manually or use a Time Machine backup on another machine. Resetting the PRAM re-enables the default OS X drivers protection which has the effect of blocking usage of the wireless drivers modified by CAT.

If you encounter problems with the tool the recommendation is to use the uninstall feature and report the issue details on the GitHub page (if it hasn't already been already reported).
Cheers

 

[matrix07]

First issue I encountered is that as soon as I enabled handoff, my bluetooth mouse starting to act very slow, with massive lags when moving the pointer around the screen. That was with a Belkin bluetooth mouse, so I replaced it with a magic trackpad to see if it was better, but same problem, massive lag and very difficult to use the pointer.

I'm also using Macbook Air 2011 and I don't have any problem with the trackpad. It's as smooth as in Mavericks.

The only problem I have is on iOS side, like it took some time before my iPhone 6 or iPad Air 2 to recognise my Macbook in AirDrop.

 

[kroser]

I'm pleased to release the Continuity Activation Tool 2.0 which now also supports a selection of old Macs just by adding a USB Bluetooth 4.0 dongle.

The currently known upgrade options are detailed in the chart below.

Image​

Feedback welcome.

My MacBook Pro 17" is missing from this chart and I'd like to know its level of compatibility and where it would fall on the chart.

It is a MacBookPro8,3, late 2011.
The integrated WiFi is:
Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0xD6)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.24)
The integrated Bluetooth is:
Name: Mac2
Address: xxxx
Bluetooth Low Energy Supported: No
Handoff Supported: No
Instant Hotspot Supported: No
Manufacturer: Broadcom
Transport: USB
Chipset: 2070B0
Firmware Version: v42 c847
Bluetooth Power: On
Discoverable: On
Connectable: Yes
Auto Seek Pointing: On
Remote wake: On
Vendor ID: 0x05AC
Product ID: 0x821A
HCI Version: 0x4
HCI Revision: 0x34F
LMP Version: 0x4
LMP Subversion: 0x422A
Device Type (Major): Computer
Device Type (Complete): Mac Portable
Composite Class Of Device: 0x38010C
Device Class (Major): 0x01
Device Class (Minor): 0x03
Service Class: 0x1C0
Auto Seek Keyboard: On

 

[dokterdok]

My MacBook Pro 17" is missing from this chart and I'd like to know its level of compatibility and where it would fall on the chart.

It is a MacBookPro8,3, late 2011.

Hi Kroser
Check the axis: late 2011 and MBP 17" meet in a lime color zone. Lime color = Works with Bluetooth 4.0 USB dongle OR new AirPort Extreme card. It's up to you to decide which one you want. Good luck!

 

[s.wei]

ipad not detecting mac on airdrop

First off a great big thank you and kudos to the team for all their work.

Managed to install and get it working on my Mid 2011 Mac mini, just having an issue sending files from my iPad mini with retina display to my mac though.

Mac > iPad works just fine. With my iPad's icon showing up in the Airdrop finder window, the permission dialog box on iOS and all.

Wondering if I should have done anything else? Rebooted and logged out and logged into iCloud on both devices. Running Mac OS X 10.10.1 and iOS 8.1.2.

Regards,
wei

 

[macvinc6]

I have a problem with my Macbook Pro late 2008 (5,1 Version) and a Asus BT400 USB dongle

After using Cat 1.1.2 my wifi card get deactivated.
My system is Yosemite 10.10.1.
Any suggests?