This article explains how to connect iPhone to Mac using iCloud, Continuity, and iTunes. Instructions apply to iPhones running iOS 11 and up and Macs running macOS 10.13 and up, except where noted.
Whatever your reason to connect your iPhone to your Mac, You may wish to sync, backup, erase data, or use the continuity features; you can easily do it by linking an iPhone to a Mac. Whether you are using a cable to make the connection or the airwaves to do it wirelessly, each process is easy. So let’s jump to the next section.
How to connect iPhone to Mac Using iCloud
To sync your iPhone and Mac with iCloud, make sure your Mac and iPhone are signed in to the corresponding account and have the same sync settings. Then, any modification to the data on one device will be synced up to iCloud and then down to the other device, so they’re always in sync.
How to Sign In To Icloud on Iphone
Sign in to iCloud using your Apple ID. You apparently did this when you set up your iPhone and your Mac, but follow these steps if you didn’t.
- Go to Settings.
- Hit your name at the top of the screen.
- Tap iCloud.
- Sign in with your Apple userID and password
How to Sign Into Icloud on Mac
Sign in to the same iCloud account on your Mac to begin syncing. You might have already done this at setup, but if not, it’s a fast process.
- Hit the Apple menu in the top left corner.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click iCloud.
- Sign in utilizing your Apple ID username and password.
- Follow the onscreen prompts to set up iCloud.
Icloud Syncing Options
Data that can be synced utilizing iCloud includes Apple News, notes, calendars, contacts, email, Homekit data, reminders, Safari bookmarks and files, Siri data, Stocks, and usernames and passwords from your Keychain. (You also require to use Apple’s pre-installed apps for these data types.)
Once the devices are signed in to iCloud, make sure the sync settings match. For instance, to use iCloud to keep your contacts in sync, monitor the Contacts box on Mac and move the Contacts slider to on/green on iPhone.
ICloud can also sync images between your devices and turn on Photo Stream and iCloud photo sharing. This is great, but the image syncing options are more complex than for other types of data.
How to connect iPhone to Mac Using Continuity
One of the great things regarding Apple devices is how well they work together. Apple’s Continuity features let you do things like answer iPhone calls on your Mac or write an email on a Mac and send it from your iPhone.
- Be signed in to the same iCloud account on all the devices.
- Have all the devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- Turn on Handoff on both devices. On a Mac, enter to System Preferences > General, and check Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.
- On an iPhone, enter to Settings > General > Handoff > move the Handoff slider to on/green.
Continuity Features
Three of the most fantastic Continuity features that connect iPhone to Mac are:
- Handoff. This lets you, well, hand off things between your devices. It can allow you: transfer a web page you’re viewing on your Mac to your iPhone; start writing an email on one device, then finish and send it on the other; get ways in the Mac Maps app and send them to iPhone for use while you drive.
- You are making and answering phone calls. If your iPhone is in different room, you can answer its calls using your Mac. To allow this option, on your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices > move the Allow Calls on Other Devices slider to on/green. To choose which of your devices can make and receive these calls, move the sliders in the list below to on/green.
- Universal Clipboard. When you copy text, images, and other data, each device signed in to your iCloud account can paste it. So, if you copy any text on your iPhone, it’s automatically copied to your Mac system and can be pasted there.
Continuity and Handoff go on iOS 8 and up, and macOS 10.10 Yosemite and up. Universal Clipboard requires macOS 10.12 Sierra or newer.
Other Ways to Connect iPhone and Mac
Syncing isn’t the only method to connect the iPhone and Mac. Both devices cover features for sharing services and content to make your digital life more straightforward. Some examples include:
- Personal Hotspot. This turns your iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot and shares its data connection with your Mac.
- AirDrop. Require to swap a few files between devices? Use this quick wireless file-transfer tool.
- iMessage. Did you know you can send and get iMessages from your Mac? Simply open Messages on the Mac and sign in to your iMessage account.
- ICloud Music Library. If you subscribe to Apple Music or iTunes Match, or purchased music at the iTunes Store, all of your devices can have the same music using iCloud Music Library. Just enable the option on your iPhone (Settings > Music > move the iCloud Music Library slider to on/green) and your Mac system (open iTunes > iTunes menu > Preferences > General > review the iCloud Music Library box).
How to connect iPhone to Mac Using iTunes
If you have a Mac running macOS 10.14 Mojave or older, one of the easiest ways to connect it to an iPhone is iTunes. Syncing devices using iTunes lets you move music, video, books, files, and different content. There are two ways to sync using iTunes:
- Connect iPhone to Mac with a cable. Just take the cable that came with your iPhone, plug one end into the phone, and the other into a USB port on your Mac. Then you can sync your iPhone to your system.
- Sync iPhone to Mac over Wi-Fi. This is an easy alternative to using a cable. If you’re Mac and your iPhone are connected to the similar Wi-Fi network, they can sync wirelessly.
FAQs
Final Words
Generally, users are not aware of connecting the iPhone to other devices like Mac or PC. They mostly depend on USB connections only. However, there are various faster & smooth ways to connect iPhone to Mac.
Now, you know how many options you have to connect your iPhone to Mac, such as Airdrop, Wifi sync, and personal hotspot when you want to link wirelessly. This guide will let you know all the possible ways; if you experience any issues, feel free to contact us.