iOS 27 introduces 'iPhone Handoff' for users who carry two phones
Anyone with a second iPhone will definitely want to take advantage of this game-changing new iOS feature, as 'iPhone Handoff' allows you to easily switch between devices while retaining the same phone number.
It might not be a feature that everyone can take advantage of – especially as the cost of buying an iPhone has only increased in the last year – yet for those who have two phones this could be an incredible addition.
As reported by MacRumors, this particular feature was briefly mentioned by Apple back at the WWDC 2026 keynote earlier this year, but it's only now that we're finally getting a better look at what it can offer those with multiple devices.
It takes advantage of the growing popularity of eSIMs, letting you seamlessly transition between a 'main' and 'secondary' device without hassle, making this especially viable for people who need an additional device for work.
How does iPhone Handoff work?
Demonstrated by a user on the MacRumors forums, the new iPhone Handoff feature set to arrive in iOS 27 allows you to link two devices with one serving as the 'main' that hands over its eSIM capabilities to a secondary phone.
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From the shared video, it looks like you'll want to head into the 'Carrier' section of your iPhone's settings, where there will be an option to enable the handover either on the device that you're using or through another primary iPhone.
You're then asked to choose your main device, with the currently activated iPhone using your cellular plan, alongside being the device that features like Location Services are pulled from when requested by others.
It does appears as if the feature only works for carriers that support this, meaning that there's a chance not everyone with a second phone will be able to take advantage of this.
Reports have suggested that T-Mobile will be the first to offer this in the United States – which makes sense considering the existing compatibility for satellite messaging through the network – with Deutsche Telekom in Germany also mentioned as another option.
When is iOS 27 set to release?
iOS 27 is expected to officially launch this month following the much-anticipated Apple Event on September 9, with the tech giant showing off everything that users will be able to explore in the latest iteration.
People who want to get a sneak peek at some of the upcoming features can currently opt for the Public Beta where a number of major features are currently being tested — although you will need to be careful as you can't revert back to the current release version once you've downloaded and installed this.
There's a good chance that not everything arriving alongside iOS 27 will be featured in this Public Beta too, with Apple likely holding back some of its most exciting features to be shown off in the upcoming event.
iPhone owners will have the long-awaited Siri upgrade to look forward to alongside a number of other major AI features, and there's bound to be countless quality of life changes that make your experience using the phone all the better.