Apple is rolling out a new feature called iPhone Handoff with iOS 27, allowing the use of the same phone number across two compatible iPhones. However, T-Mobile wants $5 every month from customers in the U.S. who want to use the feature.
Your number can follow you between two iPhones
iPhone Handoff is designed for people who use two iPhones and don’t want to maintain separate numbers for each device. With the feature enabled, one iPhone becomes your main device while the other acts as the secondary. Your number can move between them automatically when you unlock the phone you want to use.
Calls, texts, voicemail, mobile data, and other supported services can follow you to whichever iPhone is active. According to T-Mobile, features including Mobile Hotspot, Scam Shield, and T-Satellite will also work on both devices with an eligible plan.
One limitation here is that both iPhones can’t use the same number at the same time. Only one device is active at any given moment. Apple is also building the feature directly into iOS 27, so switching phones does not involve the usual eSIM gymnastics every time you want to change devices.
Keep in mind that at launch, T-Mobile customers in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany will be the only users able to access the feature through their carriers. The feature requires carrier support, which means Apple can’t simply flip a switch and make it available everywhere.
Setting it up
Both iPhones need to be running iOS 27 or later and signed into the same Apple Account. They also need to be connected to Wi-Fi, with FaceTime, iMessage, and Messages in iCloud turned on.
You can set up Handoff when activating a new iPhone or later through the Settings app. On the new iPhone, you’ll need to go to “Cellular” under “Settings.” Choose “Set Up Cellular” or “Add eSIM,” select the iPhone option and follow the prompts on both devices.
Once everything is configured, you simply unlock the iPhone you want to use. A message saying “Switched to this iPhone” confirms that your number has moved over. And once activated, iPhone Handoff stays enabled until you contact your carrier to turn it off.
A few catches
iPhone Handoff isn’t quite a magic clone of your old phone. Payment cards and car keys in Apple Wallet can work across both iPhones, but Apple warns that some items including certain transit passes, IDs, and corporate badges may only work on one device at a time.
Apple Watch also does not automatically jump between the two iPhones. The feature does support Dual SIM, but both eSIMs need to come from carriers that support iPhone Handoff. When you unlock either phone, the eSIMs switch together.
Apple is set to release iOS 27 on September 14, while the new iPhone 18 Pro models are scheduled to arrive September 18. So, if you have ever wished your second iPhone could just be in sync with your first one without the hassle of juggling numbers, Apple finally has an answer. You just have to part with $5 for it to work.