GoKawiilSoon iPhone owners will be able to split their phone numbers between devices.
When iOS 27 launches next week, it will include a new feature called iPhone Handoff, which allows you to use the same number on two different phones, Apple said at Wednesday’s Surprise and Shine event. The announcement came alongside the reveals of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max and the long-rumored, foldable iPhone Duo.
The feature was first mentioned briefly in June on a slide at the Worldwide Developers Conference, but the company didn’t give many details at the time. Reddit users reported seeing the feature on their devices last month, and a MacRumors user shared a video last week showing how the feature works. Apple says the feature will be available with the iOS 27, which will be released on Sept. 14.
“iOS 27 improves connectivity with smarter transitions between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, and introduces iPhone Handoff that lets you use a single phone number across two iPhones,” an Apple speaker said. “The number is instantly active on whichever iPhone you pick up.”
But there is a catch: Apple says the iPhone Handoff feature will only be available initially with T-Mobile and Telecom Germany. Verizon and EE will get support by the end of the year, with “more carriers to follow.”
Once it’s available, you’ll be able to set up the Handoff feature in the Cellular section of the iPhone’s settings, according to the video posted to MacRumors. You’ll be prompted to hold the phones close to each other and pick which one keeps the main eSIM and which one gets the companion eSIM. Only the phone with the main eSIM will be allowed to change the Cellular Settings after that.