From The Verge · Terrence O'Brien · · 1 min
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.
In brief
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 home while staying reachable on a backup device. Originally reported by The Verge.
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.”
The essence
iPhone Handoff lets you leave your primary phone at home while staying reachable on a backup device.
