Hands-On Apple 214: Continuity Features You May Have Missed

Host: Micah Sargent
Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Hands-On Apple, Micah Sargent delves into some lesser-known Apple Continuity features that allow seamless integration between Macs, iPads, and iPhones. He provides a practical walkthrough focusing on Continuity Sketch, Continuity Markup, and Continuity Camera, demonstrating how these tools can enhance workflow and productivity by bridging the gap between Apple devices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What is Apple Continuity?

• Definition: Continuity is Apple’s set of features that enables devices—Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even HomePod—to work together cohesively.
• Examples: Pick up Safari tabs, transfer phone calls or music between devices, and create a personal network of device interactivity.
• Requirements:
  • Devices must have WiFi and Bluetooth enabled.
  • Devices must be signed into the same Apple ID account.
  • Devices need to be within 30 feet of each other.
  • Sometimes, initial pairing may require physically connecting devices and confirming trust prompts.

  "Both of the devices that you're using need to have WiFi and Bluetooth turned on. They need to be signed into the same Apple account, and they need to be within 30ft of each other." (Micah Sargent, 02:02)

Continuity Camera

• Accessing the Feature:
  • On macOS, right-click on the desktop or within Finder and select “Import from iPad” (or iPhone, depending on your available devices).
• Options: Take photo, scan documents, add sketch.
• Workflow Demonstration:
  • Selecting “Take Photo” on Mac triggers camera UI on iPad/iPhone.
  • After taking a photo, selecting “Use Photo” immediately transfers the image to the Mac.
  • Works across Desktop, Finder, Pages, Numbers, etc.
  • Scanning produces PDFs with multiple pages if needed.
• Noteworthy Use Case:
  • Acts as an effective replacement for traditional desktop scanners.

  "The built in scanner functionality that your iPad or your iPhone has is actually quite capable as a replacement for a traditional scanner." (Micah Sargent, 11:07)

Continuity Sketch

• How It Works:
  • On Mac, choose “Add Sketch” (requires iPad or iPhone with drawing capability).
  • Users can draw on their device—finger or Apple Pencil supported.
  • Sketch is transferred instantly (in .png format with transparency) to the Mac and can be edited or moved as needed.
• Real-World Application: Great for annotating images, creating quick diagrams, and inserting visual notes.

Continuity Markup

• Feature Introduction:
  • Enables live annotation of documents or images on Mac using iPad/iPhone.
• How to Use:
  • Right-click on an image and go to “Quick Actions”, then select “Markup”.
  • Select the device to use for markup; image immediately appears on iPad/iPhone for editing.
  • Edits and sketches are transmitted live back to the Mac.
• Live Collaboration Feel:

  "While I'm doing this on the iPad...it's updating there as I do it. So then I could do some pencil sketches. And you'll notice that it's popping up over there on...Mac OS as I am writing this on my iPad." (Micah Sargent, 09:41)

Easy Integration and Accessibility

• Right-click access in many Mac applications, including Finder, Pages, Numbers, and more.
• Useful for both document workflow and creative expression.
• Less obvious than Continuity Camera and easily overlooked by many users.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Pairing Devices

  "If yours still aren't working, as was the case with me, what I needed to do was plug in my device to the other device. So again, with macOS, I have an iPad that I'm going to be showing these features on. I needed to plug that iPad into the Mac and then have the iPad kind of pop up the prompt that says, do you want to trust this device?" (Micah Sargent, 02:37)

• On Convenience

  "The idea that in many of the places on your Mac, whether you're in a pages document, you are, you know, in the finder, wherever you happen to be, just simply right clicking and being able to import those in—very handy." (Micah Sargent, 10:53)

• On Replacing Old Tech

  "I gestured...because I have a scanner over to the side. You don't know that, you can't see that, but now you do." (Micah Sargent, 11:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:26] Introduction to Continuity features and prerequisites
• [02:30-05:45] Live walkthrough: Taking photo, scanning documents, adding sketches with Continuity Camera & Sketch
• [08:40] Transition to Continuity Markup demo
• [09:15-10:40] Live demonstration: Using iPad to annotate/markup documents on Mac in real-time
• [11:07-11:22] Discussion on how these features can replace traditional office equipment

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Micah’s teaching style is energetic and hands-on, keeping the demonstration accessible and focused on real-world utility. He reassures users that the features are easy to access, may require minimal setup the first time, and can streamline daily tasks—especially for those working across multiple Apple devices. The episode is peppered with light humor and practical advice, making it both informative and approachable.

Final Thoughts

This episode shines a light on Apple continuity features that might go unnoticed, especially for those who tend to use their devices separately. For anyone invested in the Apple ecosystem, these tricks not only save time but can add a creative and collaborative layer to daily tasks. If you rely on scanning documents, quick markups, or integrating visual sketches and diagrams into your workflow, these features are worth a try.