iOS 27 Introduces “iPhone Handoff” to Let Two Devices Share One Number

Apple is set to roll out a new continuity feature called iPhone Handoff with the upcoming iOS 27 release, slated for later this month. The tool will allow users to move calls, messages and data between two iPhones while retaining a single phone number, effectively turning the two devices into a seamless extension of one another.

The capability was first hinted at during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June, when the keynote briefly displayed a slide referencing “Handoff” without further elaboration. A subsequent demo clip released by the company shows a user answering an incoming call on one iPhone, then transferring the same conversation to a second device with a single tap, all while the caller sees the same number on both ends.

Apple’s continuity ecosystem already lets users start an email on a Mac and finish it on an iPhone, or answer a FaceTime call on an iPad. iPhone Handoff expands that philosophy to the core telephony experience, addressing a long‑standing request from consumers who juggle multiple devices for work and personal use. By linking two phones to a single carrier‑assigned number, the feature could simplify scenarios such as a primary phone for business and a secondary device for travel or backup.

Technical details remain scarce, but the demonstration suggests that the phones will sync via Apple’s cloud services, likely leveraging the same encrypted pathways that power iMessage and FaceTime. Users will probably need to enable the feature in Settings and designate a “primary” device, after which the secondary phone would act as a satellite for calls and texts. Because the number remains unchanged, carriers should not need to issue new SIMs or modify existing plans.

Industry analysts note that the move aligns with Apple’s broader push toward tighter hardware integration. The ability to share a number could reduce reliance on third‑party call‑forwarding apps and make the iPhone more attractive to business customers who value seamless device handoff. It may also influence how carriers market multi‑line plans, as the distinction between “two phones” and “one line” blurs.

While Apple has not disclosed a timeline for broader rollout beyond the initial iOS 27 launch, the feature is expected to become available to all supported iPhone models through the standard software update. Users will likely receive prompts to pair devices and confirm carrier compatibility. If the implementation lives up to the demo, iPhone Handoff could become a standard part of Apple’s continuity suite, further cementing the ecosystem’s appeal for users who rely on multiple Apple devices throughout the day.