Firefox on macOS: Continuity, Handoff, and Share Sheets

This article provides a complete overview of how the Mozilla Firefox web browser integrates with core Apple ecosystem features on macOS. It covers how Firefox handles Continuity and Handoff for cross-device workflows, how it utilizes the native macOS share sheet for content distribution, and how Mozilla’s built-in tools complement these native Apple features.

Handoff Integration

Apple’s Handoff feature allows you to start a task on one Apple device and pick it up on another. Firefox supports Handoff, allowing you to pass web pages between your Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

To use Handoff with Firefox, both your Mac and iOS devices must be signed into the same Apple ID, have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled, and have Handoff turned on in system settings.

  • From iOS to Mac: If you are browsing in Firefox on your iPhone, a Firefox icon (or your default Mac browser icon) will appear on the far left of your Mac's Dock. Clicking this icon opens the exact webpage on your Mac.
  • From Mac to iOS: If you are using Firefox on your Mac, you can swipe up to open the App Switcher on your iPhone or iPad. A banner will appear at the bottom of the screen allowing you to open the webpage on your mobile device.
  • Default Browser Requirement: Handoff passes the URL, not the specific browser state. For the smoothest experience, Firefox must be set as your default web browser on both macOS and iOS. Otherwise, Handoff may try to open your Firefox link in Safari.

Continuity Features

macOS Continuity encompasses several features beyond Handoff, and Firefox supports the most essential ones for daily browsing.

  • Universal Clipboard: This feature works seamlessly in Firefox with zero configuration. You can copy text, links, or images inside Firefox on your Mac and immediately paste them into any app on your iPhone or iPad, and vice versa.
  • SMS and Verification Codes: Unlike Safari, Firefox cannot natively auto-fill two-factor authentication (2FA) codes received via Apple Messages directly from the macOS notification banner. You must copy and paste the code manually or use a dedicated password manager extension.
  • Continuity Camera: Firefox does not support the native "Import from iPhone or iPad" right-click context menu inside web pages. However, when uploading a file to a website in Firefox, you can use the Finder pop-up window to access Continuity Camera functions if you select the desktop or another system folder first.

Native macOS Share Sheets

Firefox integrates directly with the native macOS Share menu. This allows you to send links to other Apple apps and nearby devices without copying and pasting URLs manually.

You can access the native Share Sheet in Firefox in two ways:

  1. Click File in the top macOS menu bar and select Share.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) on any open browser tab, hover over Share, and select your destination.

Using the native share sheet in Firefox gives you direct access to:

  • AirDrop: Instantly beam the current webpage to a nearby Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
  • Messages and Mail: Generate a new iMessage or Apple Mail draft with the webpage URL automatically inserted.
  • Notes and Reminders: Save the active Firefox link directly to an Apple Note or attach it to a specific Reminder to read later.
  • Third-Party Apps: Any macOS application installed on your system that registers a share extension (such as Things, Bear, or Pocket) will also appear in Firefox's share menu.

Firefox Sync as an Alternative

To bridge the gaps where Apple restricts third-party browser access, Mozilla provides its own cross-device ecosystem called Firefox Sync.

If you are signed into a Mozilla account on both your Mac and mobile devices, you can bypass Apple's Handoff entirely. By right-clicking a tab or a link on your Mac and selecting Send Tab to Device, Firefox will push that webpage directly to Firefox on your iPhone or iPad. Unlike Apple's Handoff, this method does not require the devices to be near each other or on the same Wi-Fi network, and it works even if Firefox is not set as your default system browser.