Set up iPhone Handoff

iPhone Handoff lets you use one phone number between two devices, so you can switch between them whenever you want. It makes it easy to move back and forth between devices optimized for the moment — like weekday business or weekend adventures.

About iPhone Handoff

When you use iPhone Handoff, your calls¹, voicemail, messages (iMessage, RCS, or SMS/MMS), and Find My location automatically move to whichever iPhone you're using at the time. This allows you to pick up either device and stay reachable on the same number. Simply unlock whichever device you want to use and you're ready to go. Other data synced with iCloud will automatically update across your devices. Third-party apps work across both devices, following each app's own syncing behavior².

You can set up iPhone Handoff during or after your new iPhone setup. Carrier fees might apply when enrolling in iPhone Handoff. Contact your carrier for more details.

What you need

• Two devices running iOS 27 or later that are:

  • Connected to Wi-Fi

  • Sharing the same Apple Account

  • Using Messages in iCloud to ensure messages sync

  • Signed into FaceTime and iMessage with the same Apple Account

• An eSIM from a carrier that supports iPhone Handoff:

  • USA: T-Mobile

  • Germany: Telekom

Set up iPhone Handoff

You can set up iPhone Handoff when setting up a new iPhone, or later in Settings.

After iPhone Handoff is set up, one iPhone becomes the main iPhone and the other iPhone becomes the secondary iPhone that shares the number. Your main iPhone should be the one you use most often. Some carrier services, like Call Forwarding and Caller ID, and carrier account management can only be managed on your main iPhone. Contact your carrier for more details.

To move between your main iPhone and secondary iPhone, simply unlock the device that you want to start using — your phone number will automatically become active on that device. The message “Switched to this iPhone” will display at the top of your screen to confirm it’s now active. Your phone number will only be active on one iPhone at a time when using iPhone Handoff. To stay in control of which iPhone is active, keep a passcode enabled on your iPhone and keep it private.

You can add payment cards to Wallet during setup and they work on both devices. You can add a car key after setup and then share it across devices. Some Wallet items, such as certain transit passes, IDs, or corporate badges, might only work on one device at a time.

Set up iPhone Handoff during new iPhone setup

When setting up a new iPhone, you can choose to activate iPhone Handoff. Following setup, your new iPhone becomes the main iPhone and your current iPhone becomes the secondary iPhone sharing that number.

Before you start, place your main iPhone next to your secondary iPhone so that you can see the prompts from both devices.

1. Start the main iPhone setup and follow the prompts.

2. On Set Up Cellular, select Use Number on This iPhone and Another, and tap Continue.

3. Review the iPhone Handoff details and tap Continue.

4. Follow the onscreen prompts on both devices.

   • If you pair your Apple Watch to your current phone, follow the prompts. You can either migrate your Apple Watch to the main iPhone or keep your Apple Watch paired to your secondary iPhone. Pair your Apple Watch to the iPhone you use the most.

If you’re setting up two new devices, you can choose which iPhone becomes your main device. Complete eSIM setup on the first iPhone by selecting "Use Number on this iPhone". When setting up your second iPhone, skip the Cellular setup step. Once setup is complete, follow the steps in the Set up iPhone Handoff in the Settings app after new iPhone setup section.

Set up iPhone Handoff in the Settings app after new iPhone setup

In this setup, you choose which iPhone becomes your main device — the one you use most often.

Before you start, place your new iPhone next to your current iPhone so that you can see the prompts from both devices.

1. On your new iPhone, open the Settings app and tap Cellular.

2. Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.

3. Select Use Number on This iPhone and Another, and tap Continue.

4. Tap Continue to start iPhone Handoff setup.

5. Select an iPhone and tap Continue.

   • To keep the main eSIM on your current iPhone, select Other iPhone.

   • To transfer the main eSIM to your new iPhone, select This iPhone.

6. On your current iPhone, tap Continue.

7. Follow the onscreen prompts on both devices.

Replace an iPhone that uses iPhone Handoff

If you want to replace either iPhone, you must transfer the eSIM from either device to the replacement device. After you transfer your eSIM to the replacement device, the eSIM deactivates on the iPhone from which you transferred. Contact your carrier if you need help transferring your eSIM.

Before you start, place your new iPhone next to your existing devices that are set up on iPhone Handoff so that you can see the prompts from all devices.

1. On your new iPhone (replacement), open the Settings app.

2. Tap Cellular and then tap Set up Cellular or Add eSIM.

3. Select an iPhone and tap Continue.

4. Tap Transfer. If your carrier doesn't support eSIM transfer from a companion iPhone, you must enroll in iPhone Handoff again:

   1. On your iPhone that you are transferring the eSIM from, tap Continue, and follow the onscreen prompts.

5. Tap Continue.

6. Follow the onscreen prompts on both devices.

Using Dual SIM

iPhone Handoff works with Dual SIM as long as both eSIMs are from carriers that support iPhone Handoff. Once set up, both eSIMs switch together simultaneously when you unlock your iPhone.

To set up, both eSIMs must be set up for iPhone Handoff separately, one at a time. During new iPhone setup, you can set up iPhone Handoff for one of your numbers. After setup, add the second number in Settings.

Turning off iPhone Handoff

You must contact your carrier to turn off iPhone Handoff. If you delete an eSIM from your iPhone, your carrier may continue to charge you until you request them to turn off the service. Contact your carrier for more details.