iOS 27’s ‘iPhone Handoff’ Feature Make the Same Phone Number Available on Two iPhones

iOS 27, which Apple is expected to release later this month following its September 9 iPhone event, will introduce a new ‘iPhone Handoff’ feature that will allow users to use the same phone number across two different iPhones. Apple listed the new feature among other iOS 27 updates during its WWDC keynote in June, but a MacRumors forum member just shared more details about how it will work after testing it via Xcode 27’s Device Hub.

In practice, iPhone Handoff will need to be enabled at the carrier level. As of this writing, there are traces of T-Mobile US and Telekom.de supporting the new feature, which will need to be enabled via Settings > Cellular > SIMs. iPhone Handoff will appear as an option when users try to add an eSIM on their iPhone.

The configuration process will require users to choose a main iPhone for managing their Cellular settings. The main iPhone is the one that will keep the eSIM, and the second iPhone will create a companion eSIM that will enable number switching between the two devices. The setup process also indicates that only the iPhone with the active number will be used when sharing location with family and friends.

When iPhone Handoff is enabled on the two iPhones running iOS 27, the shared phone number will become active on the iPhone that is currently unlocked. A notification will also appear on the iPhone where the phone number becomes active.

Overall, iPhone Handoff seems like a handy addition for people using multiple iPhones, though its usefulness will all depend on carrier support. Still, it should be a nice complement to the existing feature that lets users in the Apple ecosystem receive phone calls and messages on Apple Watches, iPads, and Macs connected to the same Apple account.