TL; DR
- iPhone Handoff lets you use the same phone number across two iPhones without manually transferring the eSIM.
- One iPhone acts as the main device, while the other uses a companion eSIM linked to the same number.
- Unlocking either phone switches the active number to that device.
- Both phones need iOS 27 or later, Wi-Fi and the same Apple Account.
- Apple has not confirmed any Indian carrier support yet, so it’s unclear whether the feature will be available in India at launch.
Apple quietly introduced iPhone Handoff with iOS 27, a feature that lets users switch the same phone number between two iPhones. It could be particularly useful for people who carry two iPhones, including those planning to use the new iPhone Duo alongside another model.
How Does iPhone Handoff Work?
The feature works by assigning one iPhone as the main device and the other as a companion. Your primary iPhone keeps its regular eSIM, while the second phone receives a companion eSIM tied to the same number through your carrier. When you unlock either iPhone, the number switches to that device, with a notification confirming the change.
This is different from Apple’s existing Handoff feature, which lets you continue activities between devices. iPhone Handoff is specifically designed around cellular service and which iPhone is currently active for your number.
To use it, both iPhones need to run iOS 27 or later, connect to Wi-Fi and use the same Apple Account. FaceTime, iMessage and Messages in iCloud also need to be enabled. Some carrier settings, including Call Forwarding, Caller ID and account management, remain tied to the main iPhone. The active iPhone also determines the location used for location sharing.
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iPhone Handoff Usecases
The feature arrives in the same iPhone cycle as the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable. Apple is now selling a phone designed for people who may want a second iPhone for a different purpose, whether that’s a Pro model for its cameras and the Duo for its larger display.
There are plenty of other ways to use it. Someone could keep a second iPhone for travel, use a simpler device when they don’t want to carry their main phone, or give a secondary iPhone to a child while keeping the same number available when needed.
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Will iPhone Handoff Work in India?
Apple has not confirmed support from any Indian carrier yet. iPhone Handoff requires carrier-side support for the companion eSIM and number switching, so having iOS 27 alone won’t make the feature work.
T-Mobile in the US and Deutsche Telekom in Germany have been linked to the feature during testing, but Apple has not published a list confirming supported carriers in India.
So, for now, there’s no confirmation that iPhone Handoff will work with Jio, Airtel, Vi or other Indian carriers. We’ll need Apple or the carriers themselves to confirm support before knowing whether Indian users can actually use the feature.
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