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 same account and have the same sync settings. Then, any change 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 probably did this when you set up your iPhone and your Mac, but follow these steps if you didn’t.
How to Sign into iCloud on Mac
Sign in to the same iCloud account on your Mac to start syncing. You might have already done this at setup, but if not, it’s a quick process.
iCloud Syncing Options
Data that can be synced using iCloud includes Apple News, calendars, contacts, email, Homekit data, notes, reminders, Safari bookmarks and files, Siri data, Stocks, and usernames and passwords from your Keychain. (You also need to use Apple’s pre-installed apps for these data types.) Once both devices are signed in to iCloud, make sure the sync settings match. For instance, to use iCloud to keep your contacts in sync, check the Contacts box on Mac and move the Contacts slider to on/green on iPhone.
How to Connect iPhone to Mac Using Continuity
One of the great things about Apple devices is how well they work together. Apple’s Continuity features let you do things like answer iPhone calls using your Mac or write an email on a Mac and send it from your iPhone.
Continuity Features
Three of the coolest Continuity features that connect iPhone to Mac are:
Handoff. This lets you, well, handoff items between your devices. It can let 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 directions in the Mac Maps app and send them to iPhone for use while you drive.Making and answering phone calls. If your iPhone is in another room, you can answer its calls using your Mac. To enable 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 select 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, every device signed in to your iCloud account can paste it. So, if you copy any text on your iPhone, it’s also automatically copied to your Mac and can be pasted there.
Other Ways to Connect iPhone and Mac
Syncing isn’t the only way to connect the iPhone and Mac. Both devices include features for sharing services and content to make your digital life simpler. Some examples include:
Personal Hotspot: Set up Personal Hotspot to turn your iPhone into a Wi-Fi hotspot and share the internet connection with your Mac. AirDrop: Need to swap a few files between devices? Use AirDrop to wirelessly transfer files from your iPhone. iMessage: Did you know you can send and receive iMessages from your Mac? Just 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 bought 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 (open iTunes > iTunes menu > Preferences > General > check 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 simplest ways to connect it to an iPhone is iTunes. Syncing devices using iTunes lets you move music, video, books, files, and other 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 computer. Sync iPhone to Mac over Wi-Fi. This is a simple alternative to using a cable. If your Mac and your iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, they can sync wirelessly.
