iOS 27 will let one phone number work across two iPhones. A new iPhone Handoff feature will soon allow you to swap your cellular line between a main and a companion device, with no SIM swap required.
The feature got the barest mention at WWDC 2026 in June, with zero explanation from Apple. Now, a leaked demo video finally shows how the setup could actually work.
Setting up iPhone Handoff, step by step
Sharing one phone number between two iPhones could be especially useful for people who regularly carry separate devices for work and personal use. Instead of maintaining two numbers or swapping an eSIM, someone could keep their regular number active on both phones and use whichever device is most convenient.
And that’s exactly what’s going to be possible with iOS 27. We know much more about how we’ll use the upcoming feature, thanks to a demo video posted on the MacRumors forum. It shows exactly how the feature works, using two simulated iPhones running inside Xcode 27’s Device Hub.
The setup lives in Settings under the Cellular menu. You pick one iPhone as your main device, and the other one becomes a companion device.
iPhone Handoff keeps your primary eSIM on the main iPhone, and the companion needs its own eSIM, tied to the same number. That’s what lets you switch between devices without missing calls or texts.
Cellular settings stay locked to the main iPhone throughout. But location sharing follows whichever device is actively holding the line, so your contacts can always see you on the phone you’re using.
Note that the second device also needs to have service with the same wireless carrier, and use the same account. iPhone Handoff doesn’t allow someone to use two devices while only paying for one.
Carrier support could limit availability
The new iPhone Handoff feature reportedly needs carrier support to work. And it won’t be available everywhere on day one.
T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany seem to be the first carriers lined up. But enrollment doesn’t appear to be fully live on these two networks.
When to expect iPhone Handoff
iOS 27 has been in beta for roughly three months and is expected to start rolling out to everyone later this month. Apple might share more details about the feature once the update goes public.
Until then, it’s a small but genuinely useful upgrade for anyone juggling two iPhones. Travel phones, work devices, or backups — they all get a lot less annoying once your number can follow you.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
