During the 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple teased an iOS 27 feature allowing two iPhones to share a single phone number. While we wait for the official rollout, a developer has given us our first look at how it actually works.
How iPhone Handoff works
The feature isn't live yet. | Image by pfdu
Dubbed "iPhone Handoff," the feature will let you easily switch between two iPhones while using the same number.
MacRumors community member pdfu managed to simulate two iPhones running inside the Xcode development environment to demonstrate iPhone Handoff.
You will soon be able to use the same number on two iPhones. | Image by pfdu
It can be set up by tapping on Cellular in the Settings app. Enabling it will allow you to use the same number on two iPhones that belong to the same carrier account. The number will switch to whichever iPhone is unlocked.
Cellular settings will be managed from whichever device you set as the primary iPhone, which will hold the main eSIM, while the other device will get a companion eSIM.
A Dynamic Island notification will confirm the service transfer. Location sharing will rely on the active device.
How useful would this feature be to you?
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T-Mobile leads the charge
T-Mobile might be the first to deploy the feature. | Image by Redes Móveis Fixas
The feature will be carrier-dependent, and T-Mobile appears to have enabled beta support. However, the feature is not yet available to users, though the company reportedly briefly opened enrollments last month.
The feature is being tested. | Image by Reddit user ArtisticComplaint3
Expect more details when Apple launches iOS 27 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro later this month.
For those who use multiple iPhones but don't want to go through the hassle of juggling multiple SIMs, this is a pretty handy feature. It's especially useful for phone reviewers and developers who test devices for a living.
Niche appeal
While being able to use the same line on two iPhones seamlessly will appeal to some users, most people carry one device at a time. Still, for customers who might be interested in something like this, it will be further proof of T-Mobile's technological lead. The company already offers a comparable feature called DIGITS that lets you use your number on multiple devices.
What might be even more useful is allowing customers to transfer numbers between Android and iOS phones.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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