iOS 27 is out, and Apple introduced iPhone Handoff so you can use one phone number on two iPhones. Unlock the iPhone you want to use, and your calls, voicemail, messages, and Find My location move to it. Only one iPhone is active on the network at a time.
This is useful if you want to keep a newer iPhone for everyday use and an older or smaller one for workouts, travel, or a day out. You don’t need a second number, but your carrier must support iPhone Handoff.
How iPhone Handoff works
You choose a main iPhone and add a companion eSIM to a second iPhone. Unlock either device to make it active; the other iPhone becomes inactive. A "Switched to this iPhone" message confirms when the number moves.
Calls, voicemail, iMessage, RCS, SMS and MMS, and your Find My location follow the active iPhone. Other data synced with iCloud continues to update across both devices. Third-party apps handle their own syncing, so some may sign you out on one phone or ask you to approve a new sign-in, especially banking apps.
Some carrier settings stay tied to the main iPhone. You can manage your carrier account, Call Forwarding, and Caller ID from that device, so make the iPhone you use most often your main one.
Set it up on an iPhone that’s already set up
Both iPhones need iOS 27 or later, Wi-Fi, and the same Apple Account. Turn on Messages in iCloud and sign in to iMessage and FaceTime with that account. The phone number also needs an eSIM from a participating carrier.
During a new iPhone’s setup, choose Use Number on This iPhone and Another on the Set Up Cellular screen. If both phones are already set up, keep them near each other, then follow these steps on the iPhone you’re adding:
- Open Settings and tap Cellular.
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Select Use Number on This iPhone and Another, then tap Continue.
- Follow the prompts on both iPhones and choose which one should be the main device.
The second phone gets a companion eSIM, so this is different from a regular eSIM transfer between iPhones, which moves the plan from one device to another.
This is different from regular Handoff
Apple also uses Handoff for continuing an activity, such as a Safari page or email, on another device. iPhone Handoff switches cellular service and your phone number between iPhones. The two features share a name but do different jobs.
Carrier support is limited
At launch, Apple listed T-Mobile in the U.S. and Telekom in Germany. Check with your carrier about availability before relying on it; installing iOS 27 alone won’t make the option appear in Settings.
iPhone Handoff also works with Dual SIM if both eSIMs come from supporting carriers. You must set up each number separately, and both lines switch to the iPhone you unlock.
iPhone Handoff is available with iOS 27
You can use iPhone Handoff now if your two iPhones meet Apple’s requirements and your carrier offers the service. For the wider update, see the iOS 27 feature roundup.
If you later stop using iPhone Handoff, ask your carrier to cancel the service. Also, your Apple Watch stays paired to one iPhone, and some Wallet items, such as transit passes or IDs, may only work on one device at a time.
