Verizon has put a price on iPhone Handoff.
In its October 16, 2026 announcement, Verizon said the feature is "coming soon" to its network and will cost $10 a month. Engadget reported the price on October 17. T-Mobile already offers Handoff in the U.S. for $5 a month. AT&T has not said it will support it at all.
Here is what Handoff does, what each carrier charges and who should pay.
What is iPhone Handoff?
iPhone Handoff is a new eSIM feature in iOS 27. It lets two iPhones share one phone number. Only one phone has the number active at a time. You choose which one, and you can switch whenever you like.
When you switch, your calls, messages and Find My location move to the phone you are using. To switch, you just unlock the phone you want. You see a "Switched to this iPhone" message.
What you need:
- Two iPhones, both running iOS 27 or later
- The same Apple Account on both
- Wi-Fi on both phones
- Messages in iCloud turned on
- A carrier that supports the feature
To set it up, go to Settings > Cellular > Set up Cellular or Add eSIM on the newer phone. Then pick iPhone, tap Continue, then Transfer. Apple advises putting a passcode on both phones, so you stay in control of which one holds your number.
Key dates
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Mid-September 2026 | iOS 27 released. T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom launch Handoff. |
| September 23 | AT&T tells CNET it sees potential but points to its normal eSIM tools |
| October 16 | Verizon announces Handoff is "coming soon" at $10 a month |
| Late 2026 | Apple says Verizon and EE support will arrive "later this year" |
Verizon has not given an exact launch date.
Carrier prices side by side
| Carrier | Handoff status | Monthly price | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile (U.S.) | Available now | $5 | $60 |
| Verizon (U.S.) | Coming soon, no date | $10 | $120 |
| AT&T (U.S.) | No commitment, no timeline | Not announced | n/a |
| Deutsche Telekom (Germany) | Available now | 6.95 euros | about 83 euros |
Verizon's price is double T-Mobile's for the same feature. We found no reason given for the gap. Prices on both carriers could also change before Verizon launches.
One more warning from MacRumors: deleting the eSIM from your iPhone may not stop the carrier from billing you. To cancel, contact the carrier.
Limits to know about
- Apple Watch pairing does not move with the number. Pair it with the phone you use most.
- Some Wallet items, such as certain transit passes and IDs, may only work on one device.
- Call Forwarding, Caller ID and account management stay tied to your main iPhone.
- Both phones must be iPhones. Android phones and iPads are not part of this.
Which carrier gives the better deal?
- T-Mobile is cheapest and already live. If you are a customer and want Handoff today, it is $5 a month.
- Verizon will cost twice as much and has no date. Wait for the launch before you plan around it.
- AT&T has said nothing firm. If you are an AT&T customer and need two phones on one number, you will have to use its standard eSIM transfer for now. That moves service from one phone to the other. It does not keep the number ready on both.
Which should you buy?
- Pay for Handoff if you carry a work iPhone and a personal iPhone and want one number on both. Also if you keep a sturdier or smaller iPhone for nights out or trips.
- Pay for Handoff on T-Mobile if you are buying a second iPhone, like the new iPhone Duo, and want to move your number between it and your main phone.
- Skip it if you only replace your iPhone every few years. A standard eSIM transfer to a new phone is free and does the job.
- Skip it on Verizon unless you switch phones often. $120 a year adds up fast.
- Wait if you are on Verizon. The price and launch date could still change, and early reports from real users will show how well it works.
Planning to add a second iPhone? Read iPhone Duo sold out, ships January 2027: wait or buy a Galaxy Z Fold8? or use our phone compare tool to line up your options.
Other tech news this week
- Apple's iPhone Duo pre-orders opened on October 16, and Verizon says the foldable reaches stores on October 23.
- E Ink announced its Kaleido 4 color ePaper screen, with the first e-readers using it expected in 2027.
- Honor will launch its WIN 2 gaming phone in China on October 21 with a 10,100mAh battery.
Sources
- Engadget: Verizon will charge you $10 a month for iPhone Handoff
- MacRumors: iPhone Handoff in iOS 27, how it works, pricing and carrier support
- MacRumors: iOS 27's iPhone Handoff feature expanding to more carriers this year
- 9to5Mac: AT&T iPhone Handoff support
- PhoneArena: iPhone Handoff feature and Verizon fee
Image: MacRumors (iPhone Handoff feature graphic).
