New MacBook Air and Mac Studio Offer Easy Setup With a Nearby iPhone

Apple today said it will be easier than ever to set up the new MacBook Air and Mac Studio models with a nearby iPhone or iPad.

MacBook Air Hello
Once the new MacBook Air or Mac Studio are updated to macOS Sequoia 15.4, which is set to be released in April, users will be able to simply bring their iPhone or iPad close to the Mac to quickly sign in to their Apple Account. This will simplify the process of getting the user's files, photos, messages, passwords, and more on to the new Mac.

An excerpt from Apple's press release for the new MacBook Air:

Next month, macOS Sequoia 15.4 will make it easier than ever to set up the new MacBook Air with iPhone. By simply bringing iPhone close to Mac, users can quickly and conveniently sign in to their Apple Account to get their files, photos, messages, passwords, and more on their new MacBook Air.

Apple's press release for the new Mac Studio has a nearly-identical paragraph.

We previously discovered that this feature might extend to at least some existing Mac models with the macOS Sequoia 15.4 update.

The nearby iPhone or iPad must be updated to iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or newer. Those updates will also be released in April.

All of the software updates are currently in beta.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
crossbody strap

iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Thursday August 28, 2025 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu." Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...

Top Rated Comments

jz0309 Avatar
26 weeks ago
I mean easier is better, but it is unclear how that would apply when you upgrade from an existing Mac.
For folks who get their first Mac or maybe don’t want to transfer from old to new this seems very helpful.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
26 weeks ago

Does anybody actually use Windows any more?

The people who have used it for decades and are too stubborn to switch to Mac. Believe me, there’s a longtime Windows user in my family that tried out an iMac but came back to PC.

I don't think I'm particularly stubborn, I prefer my Macs for some things, Windows for others. People are so judgy here
I am OS fluid..

Sometimes I am a Mac.

Sometimes I am a PC and sometimes I am even a Linux ?

I am tying this on a PC.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
26 weeks ago

Once the new MacBook Air or Mac Studio are updated to macOS Sequoia 15.4, which is set to be released in April, users will be able to simply bring their iPhone or iPad close to the Mac to quickly sign in to their Apple Account.

The nearby iPhone or iPad must be updated to iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or newer. Those updates will also be released in April.

Will be testing this out next Monday when I pick up my 15" MBA M4.

:cool:
Next Monday is April?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chungry Avatar
26 weeks ago

The people who have used it for decades and are too stubborn to switch to Mac. Believe me, there’s a longtime Windows user in my family that tried out an iMac but came back to PC.
I don't think I'm particularly stubborn, I prefer my Macs for some things, Windows for others. People are so judgy here
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
awshucks Avatar
26 weeks ago
Take that, Windows!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfzen21 Avatar
26 weeks ago
Wow!!!

I remember the old days when you needed a Mac to setup your iPhone.

This reverse setup BEFORE reverse charging on the iPhone is crazy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)