iOS 27 Introduces New 'iPhone Handoff' Feature

[MacRumors]

Apple has added a new "iPhone Handoff" feature to iOS 27 that will allow you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device.

This functionality was briefly mentioned during the WWDC 2026 keynote in June, on a slide that listed hundreds of new features coming in iOS 27 and corresponding software updates, but Apple never shared any further details at the time.

MacRumors forum member pdfu today shared a video that demonstrates how the feature will work, using two simulated iPhones running in Xcode 27's Device Hub.

"iPhone Handoff" can be set up from the Settings app, under the Cellular menu. During the setup process, you can choose which iPhone you want to be the main device that you use most often and which one you want to be the companion device.

Apple says a user's main eSIM will remain on the main iPhone, while the companion iPhone will receive a companion eSIM, and this will enable you to switch between the devices back and forth while using the same phone number.

All cellular settings are managed on the main iPhone, and location sharing is based on whichever iPhone is actively using the phone number.

In addition to needing two iPhones running iOS 27, "iPhone Handoff" will seemingly require carrier support. The forum post mentions that T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany might be among the first carriers to offer the feature.

Following three months of beta testing, iOS 27 is expected to be released later this month, so we will likely hear more about this feature soon.

Article Link: iOS 27 Introduces New 'iPhone Handoff' Feature

 

[Edgecrusherr]

This is going to be life changing for cheating spouses and drug dealers.

 

[deathcab]

I know Apple doesn't want to step on the carriers' toes, but still hoping someday they'll offer a way to "park" your number with Apple and then just use data plans (that are number agnostic) to run talk, text, and data.

Numbers being "locked" to a specific carrier (and requiring porting to move) is a huge lock-in that increases price and decreases competition. Having numbers be more independent of carrier plans would be massive.

 

[ps3zocker]

They're clearly setting things up for you to actually buy two iPhones. Like a Pro & Air combo, or Pro & Fold.

 

[janderland]

What’s the use case for this?

Buy two iPhones and make Apple more rich?

 

[zakarhino]

What’s the use case for this?

Buy two iPhones and make Apple more rich?

I’m the use case. I’ll be using both the 18 Pro Max and the Fold together. The Pro Max as my “camera” and durable phone, the Fold for everything else.

 

[svish]

Can be a useful feature. However since this requires carrier support, rollout will be slow and don't know when it will be available outside US.

 

[Jakol]

What’s the use case for this?

Buy two iPhones and make Apple more rich?

I'm curious as well.

 

[zapmymac]

debuting in spy movies in 2027

 

[eclipse01]

I’m the use case. I’ll be using both the 18 Pro Max and the Fold together. The Pro Max as my “camera” and durable phone, the Fold for everything else.

Money is no object for this guy!

 

[cs455]

Would there be a fit here for corporate workers who have a corporate-only device? Silo all work data to the 'companion' phone, but have one number?

 

[mikes63737]

Very useful feature, looking forward to it.

Use case: do not buy a second phone, but use your newest iPhone as normal, with all your apps, everything. Keep an older iPhone that is your knockaround phone: just phone number, music, maybe email. No passwords, banking, work apps. Very useful for a day at the beach, traveling, out for a run...

 

[SirROM]

Scenario: one phone with all the stuff I want secure and an older phone with only the basic needs for when I go to the bar or travel through US airports. If I lose or have to hand it over, good luck getting any info from it

Mikes63737 beat me to it just above because I'm a slow typer, lol

 

[tshane]

Money is no object for this guy!

It's literally two objects. 😉

 

[TJunkers]

I would love to have an iPhone 13 mini for the weekends and the upcoming ultra for weekdays. I love the idea of having a small phone that I am less tempted to use when I am with my family and away from work. That said, this probably won't come to the 13 mini in which case I have no use for it. 😆

 

[gloss]

Very useful feature, looking forward to it.

Use case: do not buy a second phone, but use your newest iPhone as normal, with all your apps, everything. Keep an older iPhone that is your knockaround phone: just phone number, music, maybe email. No passwords, banking, work apps. Very useful for a day at the beach, traveling, out for a run...

This honestly makes me more useful to splurge on an iPhone Ultra - I can keep my 13 mini around as a backup/activity phone.

 

[Phonzoxd]

This is perfect for someone like me that doesnt want their personal phone associated with their work phone (outlook, teams, etc), and do not want to pay for 2 plans.

I already have a 2nd phone with no plan on it to receive these notifications via wifi.

 

[joecomo]

I would love to have an iPhone 13 mini for the weekends and the upcoming ultra for weekdays. I love the idea of having a small phone that I am less tempted to use when I am with my family and away from work. That said, this probably won't come to the 13 mini in which case I have no use for it. 😆

this is exactly what I thought immediately after hearing of this feature - a mini would be a great alternative device

 

[AppleTO]

will seemingly require carrier support

It sounded good, until this.

 

[BC2009]

They're clearly setting things up for you to actually buy two iPhones. Like a Pro & Air combo, or Pro & Fold.

exactly what I immediately thought. switch between your iPhone Ultra and iPhone Pro Max.

almost assuredly though, both phones will need to be on the same Apple Account. which may diminish the festure’s ability to run a spare phone with minimal data and no Apple account.

 

[repoman016]

Based on the comments, this is going to be a very lucrative feature for Apple when everyone has a "weekend" phone 😂

 

[Spinarelo]

I could see carriers monetizing this and rolling it out as a paid feature… unless I’m missing something

 

[Jakol]

This is going to be life changing for cheating spouses and drug dealers.

Gone are the days when you had to drive downtown to meet your guy.

 

[applesith]

Interesting feature for sure. It will also be interesting to see how carriers adopt this.

This is good for using two phones for different needs with 1 number, as other pointed out. I wish this would work with a cellular iPad so I can use the same data plan without paying monthly for another line.

 

[mrat93]

If this includes iMessage staying in sync, I could see myself using a primary iPhone Ultra alongside a 13 mini with USB-C case.

Also, T-Mobile has offered this for years as a feature called DIGITS, so it would make sense that they’re expected to support it. I wonder if it’ll be a paid feature.