Handoff on MBA Mid 2011

[venom466]

Hi all,

I know that is already open a topic on this matter, but is referred to MBP
Anyone knows if there is a trick to enable this feature on MBA?

Thaaaanks
Fabio

 

[bige12]

i was wondering the samething.

 

[zduhac]

Looks like it's not working for now. I just hope it will work once the final public version is released.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Handoff, in all of it's different features, will not be fully implemented until October with a subsequent release of iOS 8. That is per Apple.

 

[gamesetmatch]

I'm not able to receive phone calls in my Mac, even after signing in and out of iCloud, and making sure that Facetime, Messages and the Wi-Fi network is the same for my iPhone and Macbook.

Is this also of the features Apple pushed to October? I thought the SMS relay (which is also not working for me) was the only one set aside for the moment.

Maybe I am setting my devices in a wrong way?

Thanks for your help & suggestions.

 

[jeffg819]

I've got the same question. According to some stuff I've read, the mid-2011 MBAs have the right "LMP" version. That being said, the option to turn this on (System Preferences -> General) does not show the same option on my MBA as I find on my rMBP. I'm using the Beta 3 version on both machines.

I really like the feature as I've been able to use it on the rMBP.

 

[iolinux333]

I'm not able to receive phone calls in my Mac, even after signing in and out of iCloud, and making sure that Facetime, Messages and the Wi-Fi network is the same for my iPhone and Macbook.

Is this also of the features Apple pushed to October? I thought the SMS relay (which is also not working for me) was the only one set aside for the moment.

Maybe I am setting my devices in a wrong way?

Thanks for your help & suggestions.

Interestingly Google Hangouts yesterday handed off a phone call for me yesterday from my mid2011 MBA running Mavericks to my iPhone5 on 7.1.2. I know that's off topic, but it was totally unexpected and I was like "whoa!"

 

[zduhac]

I'm not able to receive phone calls in my Mac, even after signing in and out of iCloud, and making sure that Facetime, Messages and the Wi-Fi network is the same for my iPhone and Macbook.

Is this also of the features Apple pushed to October? I thought the SMS relay (which is also not working for me) was the only one set aside for the moment.

Maybe I am setting my devices in a wrong way?

Thanks for your help & suggestions.

It's working fine for me. I installed both iOS 8 and PB3 yesterday.

 

[AirJordan613]

I have a mid 2011 11" macbook air and just download the yosemite beta. I've read online where the handoff setting is supposed to be and mine is absent. Everything I've read also indicates that this computer should be compatible. It has bluetooth 4.0 LE. Handoff is enabled on my iPhone 5S. Any thoughts on this?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

for full functionality you need to install a wifi ac/bt4.0le card, while the 2011 has bt 4.0 le it doesn't have wifi ac.

Also regular texting thru continuity was pushed back till octoberish

Lastly iPhone 4s is not supported with handoff though it does send voice calls thru if you have the wifi ac/ bt 4.0le card installed.

I assure you I've been researching this for months and these are my findings.

 

[AirJordan613]

for full functionality you need to install a wifi ac/bt4.0le card, while the 2011 has bt 4.0 le it doesn't have wifi ac.

Also regular texting thru continuity was pushed back till octoberish

Lastly iPhone 4s is not supported with handoff though it does send voice calls thru if you have the wifi ac/ bt 4.0le card installed.

I assure you I've been researching this for months and these are my findings.

How hard is that to replace? Do you have a part number? Also I have a 5S not a 4S

 

[UncleSchnitty]

I put that "4s" in there just to cover if other people read this topic and had a 4s... just covering bases.
Here is a post I did on it awhile back for switching it out and how it looks...
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/19395638/

----------

the wifi card is the apple BCM94360CS2

 

[AirJordan613]

I put that "4s" in there just to cover if other people read this topic and had a 4s... just covering bases.
Here is a post I did on it awhile back for switching it out and how it looks...
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/19395638/

----------

the wifi card is the apple BCM94360CS2

So I would need to purchase that card. It looks like there's a couple floating on eBay. I can't gauge from your posted pictures how involved the install is. Can you elaborate? Also does this upgrade allow you to use handoff on your mid 2011 macbook air? Also do you think this feature will be brought back to computers still on wifi n? Trying to gauge whether the upgrade is even worth it if it'll be made available soon.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

So I would need to purchase that card. It looks like there's a couple floating on eBay. I can't gauge from your posted pictures how involved the install is. Can you elaborate? Also does this upgrade allow you to use handoff on your mid 2011 macbook air?

-You unscrew the back cover(you'll need a P5 screwdriver)
-once open you detach the 2 antenna wires, remove the screw holding your current wifi card in.
-remove 2 screws holding the motherboard along the edge just enough to pull the antenna wires out.
-remove screws from lid hinge on the right side and clip metal holding the antenna wires in place.
-replace hinge screws, insert new card, attach antenna wires and tuck them under the board, replace motherboard screws and you are good to go!

Seems a lot harder then it is, whole thing took me 10 min, then I undid it for pictures and put it back hah

Also yes everything works except regular text messaging, thats coming next month

 

[AirJordan613]

-You unscrew the back cover(you'll need a P5 screwdriver)
-once open you detach the 2 antenna wires, remove the screw holding your current wifi card in.
-remove 2 screws holding the motherboard along the edge just enough to pull the antenna wires out.
-remove screws from lid hinge on the right side and clip metal holding the antenna wires in place.
-replace hinge screws, insert new card, attach antenna wires and tuck them under the board, replace motherboard screws and you are good to go!

Seems a lot harder then it is, whole thing took me 10 min, then I undid it for pictures and put it back hah

Also yes everything works except regular text messaging, thats coming next month

Sounds great. How do the antenna wires attach? And do you think this functionality would be made available later for my macbook or should I go ahead and purchase the wifi card?

I believe this would be the correct card:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351143553371?lpid=82

Can you confirm? I've been a windows user for years and I just picked up this mac last week. Thanks

-Jordan

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Sounds great. How do the antenna wires attach? And do you think this functionality would be made available later for my macbook or should I go ahead and purchase the wifi card?

I believe this would be the correct card:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351143553371?lpid=82

Can you confirm? I've been a windows user for years and I just picked up this mac last week. Thanks

-Jordan

You just press them on real easy. And thats very cheap for that card (got mine for 35) so I would get that.

ps my name is also Jordan hah pleasure to help

 

[AirJordan613]

You just press them on real easy. And thats very cheap for that card (got mine for 35) so I would get that.

ps my name is also Jordan hah pleasure to help

Thanks Jordan I got it and the screwdriver on order. Seems simple enough, just routing the wires is all that concerns me.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Thanks Jordan I got it and the screwdriver on order. Seems simple enough, just routing the wires is all that concerns me.

That part panicked me a little but it really isn't bad, also clipping the hinge is scary but it all works out with very little hassle. The only reason you have to do those extra steps is because the ac/bt4.0le cards are about 1/2 inch longer. By clipping the attachment to the hinge it frees up that space.

On the bright side your air will have better wifi range and if you get a wifi ac router you'll have faster speeds. So there are a couple advantages to this upgrade. You'll get a few more years out of the very capable 2011MBA.

side note:if you have tmobile they just started giving out free ac routers that actually boost cell signals. Its a $200 wifi ac for free right now. I don't have Tmobile but I had a friend get one for me just for the wifi hah

 

[mrbyu]

for full functionality you need to install a wifi ac/bt4.0le card, while the 2011 has bt 4.0 le it doesn't have wifi ac.

Also regular texting thru continuity was pushed back till octoberish

Lastly iPhone 4s is not supported with handoff though it does send voice calls thru if you have the wifi ac/ bt 4.0le card installed.

I assure you I've been researching this for months and these are my findings.

Hi Jordan, as a fellow 2011 MBA user, I also thank you for the information you provided. I'm not sure if I am going to replace the wifi chip because to me Handoff functionality is very much secondary to Continuity (sms and phone call relay), but if I ever change mind it's good to know what's the case.

Do you know by any chance if my inability to use the instant hotspot feature is also connected to this issue or is that something I might be able to use later without swapping the wifi chip?

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Hi Jordan, as a fellow 2011 MBA user, I also thank you for the information you provided. I'm not sure if I am going to replace the wifi chip because to me Handoff functionality is very much secondary to Continuity (sms and phone call relay), but if I ever change mind it's good to know what's the case.

Do you know by any chance if my inability to use the instant hotspot feature is also connected to this issue or is that something I might be able to use later without swapping the wifi chip?

Yup thats because of no wifi ac, this would be fixed with the upgrade. Again unless you have a iPhone 4s then it just doesn't work.

 

[AirJordan613]

That part panicked me a little but it really isn't bad, also clipping the hinge is scary but it all works out with very little hassle. The only reason you have to do those extra steps is because the ac/bt4.0le cards are about 1/2 inch longer. By clipping the attachment to the hinge it frees up that space.

On the bright side your air will have better wifi range and if you get a wifi ac router you'll have faster speeds. So there are a couple advantages to this upgrade. You'll get a few more years out of the very capable 2011MBA.

side note:if you have tmobile they just started giving out free ac routers that actually boost cell signals. Its a $200 wifi ac for free right now. I don't have Tmobile but I had a friend get one for me just for the wifi hah

Do you think you could post some marked up pictures of where exactly you clipped and where components needed to be lifted, moved, etc? I saw the others you posted in a different thread but I feel like some arrows and circles might be easier to follow.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

Do you think you could post some marked up pictures of where exactly you clipped and where components needed to be lifted, moved, etc? I saw the others you posted in a different thread but I feel like some arrows and circles might be easier to follow.

Without taking my air apart again I really can't and it really wouldn't help since I already did it, but I will try to be more clear with the pictures I had posted....

In this picture you see on the bottom left two black screws, thats the display hinge unscrew what and just clip out the middle piece.

once you replace the hinge and screw it together your antenna cable will look like this where it was attached (silver part in-between antenna wires, kinda looks like solder but its the clipped out piece)

This picture is a closer picture of the hinge screws on the other side, while you don't have to touch that side it is a clear picture of what the hinge screws look like. also you can see the motherboard screw in this picture off to the left, its out in this picture but you can see the antenna wire tucks behind it.

I hope that helps, any other questions just ask. Like I said its harder to explain then it is to perform.

 

[zduhac]

@UncleSchnitty Don't you think you've jumped the gun a bit? iPhone 5S doesn't support 802.11ac neither, and it is working fine with other Macs. So why would it need a Mac with 802.11ac?
Maybe Handoff will be enabled in the final release, at least that's what I'm hoping for.

 

[UncleSchnitty]

@UncleSchnitty Don't you think you've jumped the gun a bit? iPhone 5S doesn't support 802.11ac neither, and it is working fine with other Macs. So why would it need a Mac with 802.11ac?
Maybe Handoff will be enabled in the final release, at least that's what I'm hoping for.

Anything is possible but Ive been doing my research on this since Yosemite DP1. While they could add support by public launch its HIGHLY unlikely. Just from the computer side continuity/handoff does a check for certain wifi/bluetooth card to enable features. Apple would have to pay developers to create more compatibility. I say highly unlikely because Apple is a hardware company and older machines not having a feature is just another way to get people to upgrade.

Im not saying "absolutely not and anyone who doesn't agree is wrong" Im just stating my opinion based off a lot of research and time spent on this. So sure you can wait and see and if they don't add support my instructions are here for you if you need them.

Also whats the downside if they in a off chance do make it work? You have a higher speed/ longer range wifi card for $20? Also I have nothing to gain from any of this except helping others.

 

[rmercier]

Uncle, what do you mean by "clipping"? will these procedures not get the job done?

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2011+AirPort-Bluetooth+Card+Replacement/6360