Move an active FaceTime call to your Mac while staying on the line

You can hand off an active FaceTime call from your iPhone to your Mac without dropping the connection. When you start a call on your iPhone, a notification appears on your Mac asking if you want to continue there. Tap the notification, and the call transfers to your Mac — your iPhone stops ringing and the audio switches over. This works only if both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to the same cellular account.

The handoff feature is built into FaceTime and requires no setup beyond having both devices logged in. If you don't see the option to transfer, check that Handoff is turned on in your device settings and that both devices meet the basic requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • FaceTime calls can transfer from iPhone to Mac through a notification that appears on your Mac when a call starts on your iPhone.
  • Both devices must be signed into the same Apple ID and connected to the same network or cellular account for handoff to work.
  • You can also start a new FaceTime call directly on your Mac by opening the FaceTime app and selecting a contact.
  • If handoff isn't working, verify that Handoff is enabled in System Preferences on Mac and Settings on iPhone, and that both devices have Bluetooth turned on.

Requirements for transferring FaceTime between devices

Both your iPhone and Mac need to meet specific conditions for handoff to work. They must be signed into the same Apple ID, have Bluetooth enabled on both devices, and be on the same Wi-Fi network or share the same cellular account. If you use different Apple IDs on each device, handoff won't function.

Your Mac must be running macOS 10.10 or later, and your iPhone must be running iOS 8 or later. Most devices updated in the past several years meet these requirements. If your devices are older, check your current OS version in Settings on iPhone or System Preferences on Mac.

How to enable Handoff on your Mac

Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs) and click General. Look for the "Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices" checkbox and make sure it is checked. Close the window — the setting takes effect immediately.

If you don't see this option, your Mac may not support Handoff. Handoff requires a Mac with Bluetooth 4.0 or later, which includes most Macs from 2012 onward. Check your Mac model and OS version if the setting doesn't appear.

How to enable Handoff on your iPhone

Go to Settings, then General, then scroll down and tap AirPlay & Handoff. Toggle on "Handoff" if it is off. Your iPhone will now send notifications to your Mac when you receive a call.

Make sure Bluetooth is also enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and verify the toggle is on. Without Bluetooth, the devices cannot communicate to trigger the handoff notification.

What to do when the handoff notification appears

When someone calls you on your iPhone, a notification slides in from the bottom of your Mac screen showing the caller's name and a green phone icon. Tap the notification to accept the call on your Mac. The audio and video (if it's a video call) immediately switch to your Mac, and your iPhone stops ringing.

If you ignore the notification or don't tap it within a few seconds, the call continues on your iPhone as normal. You can still answer on your iPhone instead — the notification disappears and the call stays on your phone.

Starting a FaceTime call directly on your Mac

You don't have to wait for an incoming call to use FaceTime on your Mac. Open the FaceTime app, click the plus icon or "New FaceTime" button, type the contact's name or phone number, and press Enter. The call rings on their device, and you can speak or video chat once they answer.

Your Mac stores your recent contacts in the FaceTime app, so you can also click a name from the list to call them again. If the person uses an iPhone, they'll see the call coming from your phone number or Apple ID depending on your FaceTime settings.

Troubleshooting when handoff isn't working

If the notification doesn't appear on your Mac when you get a call on your iPhone, first check that Handoff is enabled on both devices and that Bluetooth is on. Restart both devices — turn them off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. This clears temporary connection issues.

Verify that both devices are signed into the same Apple ID by going to Settings on iPhone and System Preferences on Mac. If you recently changed your Apple ID password, sign out and sign back in on both devices. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network or connected to the same cellular account. If you're on different networks, handoff won't work.

If handoff still doesn't work after these steps, check that your Mac model supports Handoff (2012 or later with Bluetooth 4.0) and that both devices are running current OS versions. Some older Macs cannot use this feature regardless of settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a call that's already in progress on my iPhone?

Yes. When a call is active on your iPhone, look for a green phone icon at the top of the screen. Tap it to see the option to switch to your Mac. The call transfers immediately without dropping.

What if I'm on a cellular call, not Wi-Fi?

Handoff works on cellular calls if both devices share the same cellular account (usually the case with iPhone and Mac on the same plan). Your Mac must be on Wi-Fi or connected to the same network for the handoff to complete, but the call itself can originate from cellular.

Does the person I'm calling know I switched devices?

No. The call stays connected the entire time. From their perspective, they're still talking to you — they won't see or hear any indication that you moved from iPhone to Mac.

Can I transfer a call from Mac back to iPhone?

FaceTime handoff works one direction: from iPhone to Mac. If you want to move a call from Mac to iPhone, you'll need to end the call on Mac and answer it on iPhone when it rings there, or use your iPhone to call the person back.

Why does my Mac show the handoff notification but won't complete the transfer?

Check that both devices are still on the same network and that Bluetooth hasn't turned off. If the notification appeared but tapping it didn't work, try restarting both devices. If the problem persists, sign out of your Apple ID on both devices and sign back in.