With the release of iOS 27, iPhone users can look forward to a bunch of changes, improvements, and new features. One of those features is known as iPhone Handoff, so if you’re wondering what it is, here’s our breakdown.
What is iPhone Handoff?
For starters, the “Handoff” term isn’t new when it comes to Apple products. Apple has introduced a similarly-named feature in the past, which allows users to basically “handoff” tasks on one device to another.
Take for example you’re writing an email on your iPhone, but you’d rather do it on your Mac. So instead of typing up the email again, Handoff lets you pick up on your Mac where you left off on your iPhone. So what is this iPhone Handoff feature then? For the most part, it’s conceptually similar. The main difference is it’s slightly more focused. So instead of iPhone to Mac, Mac to iPad, and so on, this is a handoff between iPhones.
How iPhone Handoff works
When you set up iPhone Handoff, it designates one iPhone as your main device and the other as a companion. It uses the eSIM built into the iPhones. Apple gives the main iPhone the primary eSIM and hands the companion iPhone a matching companion eSIM. Whichever phone you unlock becomes the active one. A small message reading “Switched to this iPhone” confirms your number just moved.
Calls, texts, voicemail, and your Find My location all follow along automatically. Only one iPhone can be active with your number at a time. So don’t worry about both phones ringing when a call comes in. iPhone Handoff even works if you already run two numbers on one phone through Dual SIM, as long as both come from carriers that support it.
To set this up, both iPhones need iOS 27 and a Wi-Fi connection. They also need to share the same Apple Account, with Messages in iCloud, FaceTime, and iMessage all turned on. Apple lays out the full setup steps in its support documentation for the feature.
Not available for everyone yet
That being said, iPhone Handoff needs your carrier’s support, and right now that list is short. In the US, only T-Mobile offers it and the carrier is charging $5 a month for it. Deutsche Telekom customers in Germany can use it too.
Payment cards in your Wallet app and car keys work on both iPhones after setup. Some passes, like transit cards, IDs, or work badges, might only function on one device at a time. Your Apple Watch won’t automatically switch between the two iPhones either. It stays paired to whichever one you connect it to.
You can turn on iPhone Handoff in Settings under Cellular, either while setting up a new iPhone or anytime afterward. If you decide you don’t want it anymore, deleting the eSIM isn’t enough. You’ll need to call your carrier directly to cancel the service, or they may keep billing you.
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