Apple is adding a new iPhone Handoff feature in iOS 27 that will allow you to use the same number on two iPhones and swap between them as needed. iPhone Handoff requires carrier support, and Apple says there may be carrier fees when setting it up.
The new iPhone Handoff option was mentioned during today’s event and in the iPhone Duo press release, and it turns out it will be limited at launch. Apple says it will only be available on T-Mobile in the US and Deutsche Telekom in Germany when iOS 27 is released.
To use iPhone Handoff, you need two iPhones running iOS 27 or later, connected to Wi-Fi, and signed in to the same Apple account with FaceTime, iMessage, and Messages in iCloud enabled.
iPhone Handoff can be enabled when setting up the new iPhone or in the Settings app. When you set up a new iPhone, you can make your current iPhone your secondary iPhone.
When iPhone Handoff is enabled, one iPhone is the primary iPhone and the other iPhone is the secondary iPhone that shares the same number. Some carrier services such as call forwarding, caller ID, and account management can only be managed on the primary iPhone. iPhone Handoff also doesn’t swap your Apple Watch from one iPhone to another.
Moving between a primary iPhone and a secondary iPhone happens automatically when you unlock one of the devices. Apple says your phone number will automatically become active and you’ll see the “Switched to this iPhone” message to confirm.
A phone number can only be active on one iPhone at a time when using iPhone Handoff. Payment cards in the Wallet app and car keys can work on both iPhones, but Apple warns that some Wallet items such as transit passes, IDs or company badges may only work on one iPhone at a time.
iPhone Handoff works with Dual SIM as long as both eSIMs are from carriers that support iPhone Handoff. Both eSIMs will switch simultaneously when you unlock your iPhone. Each eSIM must be configured separately.
Once set up, iPhone Handoff remains enabled until you contact your carrier to disable it. More information can be found in Apple’s support document for this feature.
iOS 27 is expected to launch on Monday, September 14. T-Mobile has not announced pricing for the iPhone Handoff.
