# Apple’s iPhone Handoff Shares One Number Across Two Phones

> iOS 27 will let you link a primary iPhone with a secondary companion device using a single phone number.
- Title: Apple’s iPhone Handoff Shares One Number Across Two Phones
- Summary: iOS 27 will let you link a primary iPhone with a secondary companion device using a single phone number. iPhone Handoff lets you leave your primary phone at…
- Keywords: apple, ios 27, iphone, mobile, tech news, technology, culture, Handoff, Shares, One, Number, Across
- Source: The Verge — https://theverge.com/tech/990868/iphone-handoff-ios-27
- Author: Terrence O'Brien
- Published: 2026-09-05T20:53:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, ios 27, iphone, mobile, tech news, technology, culture
## One number, two iPhones
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 update will introduce iPhone Handoff, allowing users to seamlessly share a single phone number across two active devices.
## Setting up a companion
A demo clip inside Xcode 27 shows how users can pair two iPhones together, designating one as the primary device and the second as a companion.

> It lets you pair two iPhones, using one as your main device and the other as its “ companion .”
## Timing with the Ultra
The feature lands right before the rumored foldable iPhone Ultra launch, addressing times when taking out a bulky, costly flagship phone isn't ideal.

> People might not always want to take a chunky and extremely expensive device out with them.
## New life for old devices
Handoff makes it easy to switch to a cheaper or older model, like a spare iPhone 13, for workouts, festivals, or travel without losing connectivity.
## Carrier support required
Sharing a mobile number across two devices isn't fully automatic. Code leaks confirm it requires carrier backing, with early support spotted for T-Mobile US and Telekom.de.

> The feature will require carrier support, however.
## Key takeaway

iPhone Handoff lets you leave your primary phone at home while staying reachable on a backup device.