Apple decided not to support all Bluetooth 4.0 capable Macs for its new Continuity features in OS X Yosemite for undisclosed reasons, but it is possible to get the feature up and running on some older, unsupported Macs. Previously it required a bit of manual tinkering, but now a utility called OS X Continuity Activation Tool makes the process much easier.
It’s an all-in-one app to activate and diagnose OS X 10.10 Continuity (Handoff/Instant Hotspot/Airdrop iOS<->OSX) on older Mac configurations. I’ve been working on it for the past few weeks and tested it successfully on various Mac models. It should be stable enough now.
Continuity features like Handoff and Instant Hotspot for seamlessly switching between Macs and iOS devices are currently only officially supported by Apple on MacBook Air (Mid 2012 and later), MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 and later), iMac (Late 2012 and later), Mac mini (Late 2012 and later), and Mac Pro (Late 2013). Some Continuity features, such as phone calling and SMS, work with any Mac running OS X Yosemite as they only rely on a Wi-Fi network as opposed to requiring Bluetooth as well.
While the creator notes the tool has been tested successfully on various Macs, there are a few warnings to proceed at your own risk. The tool supports the Macs with Bluetooth 4.0 built-in that aren’t supported by Apple, but not those using a Bluetooth 4.0 USB dongle. The creator previously published the list below noting which Macs require a new Bluetooth card or modifications to work:
-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
The tool and its source code are available on GitHub.
Guides
Apps
Lead the curve on tomorrow’s iOS and Mac app hits while being the first to hear news and updates on yesterdays app sensations (and flops).
and Macbook Unibody late 2009 ?😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the same macbook, but I haven’t found a wifi/Bluetooth card that works for this model😦
LikeLike
Does this work on a 27inch iMac, Late 2009. 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo?
LikeLike
It says “iMac:Mid 2007-2011 requires bluetooth/Wifi Card and Modified Kext”
LikeLike
so meaning its super hard to do cause you have to take apart the whole machine, correct?
LikeLike
Won’t let me replay directly to you robertstoll but you can buy a usb bluetooth 4.0 adapter.
LikeLike
it says “The tool supports the Macs with Bluetooth 4.0 built-in that aren’t supported by Apple, but not those using a Bluetooth 4.0 USB dongle.”
LikeLike
Is there an instruction, with which parts it is necessary to upgrade a mid 2011 iMac from bluetooth 2 to 4 to get continuity in full range?
LikeLike
Does anyone know where I can purchase the WiFi and bluetooth card?
LikeLike
AWESOME! Worked like charm on my Mac Mini Mid 2011!!!
LikeLike
I’ve tried this also, but it just doesn’t work! Same machine (mid 2011 mini). All messages read OK in therminal, but no new features.. Did you do anything after the script ran?
LikeLike
Worked great on my Mid 2011 Macbook Air. Hint: repair permissions first before attempting.
LikeLike
What do you mean “repair permissions first”?
LikeLike
When you’re installing it is says its need repair permission and its ask for reboot to fix this and after reboot its working.
LikeLike
seems have a problem ?
— OS X Continuity Activation Tool 1.0.0 —
by dokterdok
— Initiating system compatibility check —
Verifying Mac model reference… OK
Verifying OS X version… OK
Verifying Bluetooth hardware… OK
Verifying Mac board-id… OK
Verifying active AirPort drivers… OK
Verifying OS kext protection… nvram: Error getting variable – ‘boot-args’: (iokit/common) data was not found
NOT OK. OS is protected against changes. Please reboot to automatically fix this, then relaunch the script.
???
thx
LikeLike
oups…the script is now ok for my MBA mi-2011 but I can use hand-off only with my iPad & iPhone. Not with my MBA😦
Phone calling and SMS, work fine !🙂
LikeLike
It’s working now (Handoff + SMS + AirDrop + Phone Calling) !!!
Another hint :
On your iPad, iPhone, Mac… :
Turn-off Bluetooth, wifi, Handoff settings (general settings), logout iCloud (on your Mac) then reboot your devices & reactivate all functions…
Hope this msg can help you ! (& sorry for my english)
LikeLike
I can see Hand-off option now and air drops works fine after the this activation tool .. But still safari or mail app
from my iPhone or iPad not shown near the dock in my mac ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not working for me!
LikeLike
I have replaced the Bluetooth cards in my MacBook and iMac. Where can I find the kext files?
LikeLike
So happy My mid-2011 Macbook Air 11″ works now as advertised with the new features. Just waiting for Apple to prevent the tool from working on the next Yosemite update … I hope not! I also hope omitting earlier Bluetooth LE machines from working was some stupid oversight.
LikeLike
If handoff works with your equipment, VisuLauncher is good companion app for your iPhone to scan websites, email addresses, phone numbers, map addresses and launch an appropriate app on your phone. You can then continue “on the big screen” on your Mac.
LikeLike
Worked perfectly on my mid 2011 MacBook air. I did however miss the part about logging out of iCloud and logging back in. Once that was done the MacBook air worked just as well as my 2012 Retina MacBook Pro. I don’t understand why Apple didn’t enable this by default.
LikeLike
Is there a site or youtube video that explains in from beginning to end how to set everything up? I just ordered my BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX Carte Airport WIFI+BT Bluetooth 4.0 Macbook A1278 A1286 A1297, but I don’t know what do after I get it.
LikeLike
Go to ifixit.com for instructions to install the hardware, then just run the program. Don’t forget to log out of iCloud and log back in.
LikeLike
oh ok, thank you. One more question, what program?
LikeLike
Go to the last line of the article and click on the GitHub link. You’ll be able to download it from there.
LikeLike
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
No problem.🙂
LikeLike
I’ve rushed and tried this tool now i aint complaining but the drivers for my macbook pro 2009 unibody is missing how do i get these drivers back so that i can have wifi working
Please and thanks in advanced!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check out the latest version of the tool which includes an uninstaller, use this to restore your lost driver.
LikeLike
2008 Mac Pro 3,1. It says Airport card detected is not a Broadcom one. So close!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Guys? Can anyone help me? Does this work on Macbook 13” Late 2008 (aluminium unibody) with BT/wf card?
LikeLike
I don’t see any MacBooks listed in the compatibility chart, though inquiring at the GitHub site couldn’t hurt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Macbook Pro Late 2008?
LikeLike
Thank you very very much !!!
works on MacBook Air mid 2011!
LikeLike
Ok Everywhere I search I find that My Mac Mini 2010 needs a new wifi card to run BT4.0 “-MacMini:Early 2009-2010 requires new bluetooth/Wifi Card and modified Kext” But does anyone know what the part # of that board is so I can find it ?
Thanks
LikeLike