how to set up messages from iphone to mac

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be turned on, and both devices need to ordinarily have a password/passcode, too. The feature requires macOS Sierra or later and watchOS 3 or later, with each device needing to be logged in with the same iCloud account. Since the system trusts that it's you wearing your unlocked Apple Watch (since you had to enter its passcode), your Mac will unlock for you automatically once you're in close proximity.

Once set up, it gives you instant access to your Mac, without the need to enter your password, when you're wearing your unlocked Apple Watch. One neat Continuity feature that really benefits Apple Watch wearers is Auto Unlock. How to set up and use SidecarĪuto Unlock (Image credit: Rene Ritchie / iMore) Select it, and you should be allowed to connect sans password. That makes it faster and more convenient but limits it to just your devices.Īs long as your iPhone or Cellular iPad has an active carrier plan that allows for Personal Hotspot usage, each device you're trying to connect is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, you should see your Instant Hotspot as an option in the Wi-Fi menu of the device you're trying to get online. Instead, it uses your Apple ID for authentication, Bluetooth LE for rapid connection, and Wi-Fi for data transfer. Unlike a Personal Hotspot, which can be used to connect any device owned by anyone, Instant Hotspot doesn't require a password. You can use Instant Hotspot with your Mac or connect a Wi-Fi-only iPad to your Hotspot when out and about.

Instant Hotspot lets you share the data connection from your iPhone or cellular iPad. Instant Hotspot iPhone iPad (Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)

How to set up messages from iphone to mac