iOS 27 Introduces New 'iPhone Handoff' Feature

[Apple_Robert]

As someone who uses 2 iPhone Airs every day, it would be nice to go down to one phone. The problem is Apple doesn’t seem to believe in allowing us to keep personal and business contacts separate, not to mention I wouldn’t like business tied to my personal Apple ID.

 

[macMD]

Sounds cool if you like to carry two phones or switch between them frequently.

Needing carrier support, well trust eliminates US carriers especially Verizon.

I mean spectrum mobile (using Verizon towers) supports eSIM swap between devices and Verizon wants $35 to activate that phone each time.

 

[bushman4]

First let’s see if the carriers all adopt this feature
How much will they charge extra per month as this is not going to be free
Next do both iPhones have to be on the same users Apple account?
Cost and hassle may outweigh this features usefulness

 

[turbineseaplane]

First let’s see if the carriers all adopt this feature
How much will they charge extra per month as this is not going to be free
Next do both iPhones have to be on the same users Apple account?
Cost and hassle may outweigh this features usefulness

It's a good point.
I can already see some the "Phone Number Unity" additional fee of $9.99 per month.

 

[Quixotic3]

You guys could just hold a phone while driving, and that doesn’t affect your ability to quickly avoid an accident etc?

How is that only being implemented now lol

you can't touch a phone while driving, so if your phone is ringing and on a holder and you swipe it to dismiss the call its an infraction. Do I think a cop is going to ticket me? no, but a flock camera might.

 

[It’s always something]

you can't touch a phone while driving, so if your phone is ringing and on a holder and you swipe it to dismiss the call its an infraction. Do I think a cop is going to ticket me? no, but a flock camera might.

Shockingly you can make and receive phone calls while driving in Texas 😬 except in school and construction zones. Texting is illegal while driving, but you can change a music playlist 🤷‍♂️

 

[Knightcastle]

Yep! Same devices that can run iOS 26 can run 27 too. Goes back to 11-series phones.

Wow, I just presumed because the watch got shafted that phones that old must be out by now.

 

[Blowback]

It sounded good, until this.

🤣

 

[Apple_Robert]

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.

With this feature, both phones have to use the same Apple account.

 

[007Spydie]

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

I would like to see this work between an iphone and an android, for those of us who like learn about and play with both.

 

[RaoulDuke42]

This is obviously laying the groundwork for the triumphant return of the Mini. Switch between your mini and pro max whenever the mood strikes.

The return of the mini would indeed be triumphant!