New iOS 27 feature lets a single phone number move between a main and companion iPhone, pending carrier support.
Apple is preparing a new iOS 27 feature called iPhone Handoff that allows a single phone number and cellular plan to be used across two iPhones, according to reporting from MacRumors and other outlets published between September 2 and September 4, 2026. The feature designates one device as the main iPhone and a second as a companion iPhone, letting the active phone number move between them without manually transferring an eSIM.
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Setup Process and Device Roles
According to MacRumors and Gadgets360, iPhone Handoff is configured through Settings > Cellular, where users select their active carrier line and see a new iPhone Handoff option. During setup, users choose which iPhone serves as the main device, keeping the primary eSIM, while the second iPhone receives a companion eSIM tied to the same number and plan, as described by iGeeksBlog and Softonic. A MacRumors forum explanation notes the number switches to whichever iPhone is unlocked, though cellular settings such as plan changes and roaming remain centralized on the main device.
Carrier Support Remains Limited
Carrier backing is the central constraint on rollout. PhoneArena and MacRumors report that T-Mobile is positioned as a likely first U.S. carrier, with Deutsche Telekom's Telekom.de flagged in Germany, based on carrier bundle data found in iOS 27 betas. However, a MacRumors forum post states that T-Mobile's enrollment server "currently returns" a feature-disabled response, meaning the option cannot yet be activated on live accounts as of early September 2026. No carrier has issued a public statement confirming a commercial launch date, and outlets including Pasquale Pillitteri note that other eSIM-supporting carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, EE, O2, Vodafone and Three have not confirmed timelines.
Android Authority reported that developer pdfu spotted the feature in iOS 27 beta 8, describing the dual-eSIM setup flow visible in the Settings app. Apple Gadget Hacks noted that Apple referenced the capability without a formal public demonstration, meaning most detail has come from beta interface text and carrier bundle discoveries rather than an official Apple press statement. The Verge reported the feature is expected to launch as part of iOS 27 later in September 2026, though exact carrier activation dates remain unconfirmed.
