IOS 27 Allows Two iPhones to Share a Single Phone Number

During the Worldwide Developers Conference 2026, 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

Dubbed "iPhone Handoff," the feature will let you easily switch between two iPhones while using the same number. A MacRumors community member, pdfu, managed to simulate two iPhones running inside the Xcode development tool to demonstrate iPhone Handoff.

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.

T-Mobile might be the first to deploy the feature, and 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.

iOS 27: More to Look Forward To

Expect more details when Apple deploys iOS 27 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro later this month. Other exciting features include new camera features, a better texting experience, and an improved Siri.

Niche Appeal and Future Possibilities

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. It's especially useful for phone reviewers and developers who test devices for a living. For customers interested in this feature, it will be further proof of T-Mobile's technological lead. What might be even more useful is allowing customers to transfer numbers between Android and iOS phones.