iPhone Handoff: How It Works, Supported Carriers and Cost

Switching between two iPhones usually means dealing with one frustrating question: what happens to your phone number? Apple is trying to make that process easier with iPhone Handoff, a new feature introduced with iOS 27. It allows you to use the same phone number across two iPhones, making it possible to move between devices without repeatedly transferring your cellular service.

For now, carrier support is limited. T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are the first carriers to offer iPhone Handoff, while Apple says Verizon and EE will add support later in 2026. AT&T has acknowledged potential in the feature but has not committed to supporting it. There is also a monthly charge, depending on the carrier. Here is what you need to know about iPhone Handoff, how it works, which carriers support it, and how much it costs.

What Is iPhone Handoff?

iPhone Handoff is an iOS 27 feature designed to let you use the same phone number on two iPhones. Instead of treating your second iPhone as a complete replacement for the first, the feature allows both devices to be associated with the same cellular number. That could be useful if you regularly switch between two iPhones, such as keeping one device at home and another for travel.

The feature is available through the iPhone's settings and requires a supported carrier. T-Mobile says iPhone Handoff is available on any iPhone running iOS 27 and is ready to use from day one on the new iPhone 18 Pro lineup and iPhone Duo. iOS 27 itself was released on September 14.

Which Carriers Support iPhone Handoff?

T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are currently the first carriers to offer iPhone Handoff. Apple has said Verizon and EE will add support later in 2026, although pricing details for those carriers have not been provided in the available information. AT&T has taken a more cautious position. The carrier said it sees potential in capabilities such as iPhone Handoff, but its current focus remains on existing eSIM activation and transfer options across compatible devices.

That means simply owning an iPhone running iOS 27 does not guarantee access to the feature. Carrier support is essential, so customers should check whether their particular plan and carrier are eligible before expecting Handoff to work.

How Much Does iPhone Handoff Cost?

In the United States, T-Mobile charges $5 per month for iPhone Handoff. The fee is in addition to the regular wireless plan. For someone who frequently switches between two iPhones, that monthly cost may be worthwhile for the convenience of keeping one number available on both devices.

Deutsche Telekom charges €6.95 per month, although there is an important difference. The carrier charges this fee only on plans that do not already include multi-SIM functionality. In other words, the cost depends partly on the type of plan the customer already has. Verizon and EE have not yet provided pricing information in the available details.

iPhone Handoff Is Different From a Traditional eSIM Transfer

It is important not to confuse iPhone Handoff with a standard eSIM transfer. An eSIM transfer generally moves your cellular service from one compatible phone to another. iPhone Handoff is designed around a different idea: keeping the same phone number available across two iPhones.

That distinction could make Handoff particularly useful for people who genuinely want to maintain two devices. Someone permanently replacing an old iPhone with a new one may only need a regular eSIM transfer. Someone who wants to alternate between two iPhones has a different requirement, and that is where Handoff is intended to fit.

You Still Need to Move Your Personal Data

Having the same phone number on two devices does not mean that everything on one iPhone automatically appears on the other. Your photos, videos, contacts, documents, and other personal files are a separate part of the setup process.

This is where a dedicated transfer tool can be helpful. Smart Transfer can assist with moving and sharing personal content between compatible devices, which can be useful when setting up another phone. For example, contacts files transfer can help you move important information, while wifi files sharing provides another way to transfer photos, videos, and other files between supported devices over a local connection.

That makes the distinction fairly simple: iPhone Handoff deals with your cellular number, while a phone transfer process can help with the personal content stored on your devices. If you are setting up a second iPhone, both sides of the transition are worth considering so that your new device is not only connected but also contains the information you actually need.

Why iPhone Handoff Could Be Useful

The appeal of iPhone Handoff is fairly straightforward. Some people have legitimate reasons to use two phones, whether they keep one as a secondary device, alternate between devices for different situations, or simply want the flexibility to switch without repeatedly activating cellular service.

Previously, moving a number between phones could involve eSIM transfers, carrier settings, or other activation steps. Handoff is designed to reduce that friction for supported users by allowing the same number to remain associated with two iPhones. Instead of thinking about one phone as the active device and the other as something that needs to be activated separately, the feature creates a more flexible setup.

What to Check Before Using iPhone Handoff

Before trying the feature, make sure both iPhones meet the iOS requirements and that your carrier supports iPhone Handoff. You should also check the pricing and plan conditions because the service is not automatically included simply because your phone can run iOS 27.

T-Mobile currently charges $5 per month, while Deutsche Telekom charges €6.95 per month on plans without included multi-SIM functionality. Verizon and EE are expected to support the feature later in 2026, while AT&T has not announced a rollout. It is also worth remembering that your cellular number and your personal data are separate parts of the setup. Even if Handoff handles your phone number, you may still need to transfer your contacts, photos, videos, and other files separately.

Final Thoughts

iPhone Handoff is one of the more practical additions in iOS 27 because it addresses a very specific problem: using one phone number across two iPhones. T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom currently support the feature, Verizon and EE are expected to join later in 2026, and AT&T has expressed interest without committing to a launch. T-Mobile charges $5 per month, while Deutsche Telekom charges €6.95 per month on plans that do not already include multi-SIM functionality.

For people who regularly move between two iPhones, Handoff could make that experience considerably easier. Just remember that cellular service is only one part of changing devices. Your contacts, photos, videos, and other personal files still need their own transfer or synchronization process. As more carriers adopt the feature, iPhone Handoff could become a more familiar part of using multiple Apple devices.