The monthly charge applies specifically to T-Mobile users in the U.S. Deutsche Telekom users in Germany will also gain access to iPhone Handoff at launch, though T-Mobile has confirmed it will charge customers for the convenience of running one number across two compatible iPhones.
Why Handoff Needs Carrier Buy-In
iPhone Handoff isn’t something Apple can switch on alone. It explicitly requires carrier support, and at launch, T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom are the only two providers offering it. Once set up, switching between a primary and secondary iPhone is as simple as unlocking whichever device you want active.
Apple plans to release iOS 27 to the public on Monday, September 14, with new iPhone 18 Pro models following on Friday, September 18. To use Handoff, both iPhones need to run iOS 27 or later, connect to Wi-Fi, and sign into the same Apple Account, with FaceTime, iMessage, and Messages in iCloud all active.
What Actually Transfers Between Devices
Calls, texts, data, and even Scam Shield protection work across both devices, but not everything moves seamlessly. Payment cards and car keys generally function on both iPhones without issue. Some Wallet items tell a different story though:
- Transit passes may remain tied to a single device
- Corporate badges can face the same limitation
- Apple Watch pairing does not transfer between the two iPhones at all
Full details on what does and doesn’t carry over are available in Apple’s support documentation.
Dual SIM Setup Adds Another Layer
The feature also supports Dual SIM configurations, as long as both eSIMs come from Handoff-compatible carriers. Both eSIMs switch simultaneously whenever the iPhone unlocks, though each one still requires its own separate setup process beforehand.
T-Mobile’s fee is the first concrete example of a carrier charging directly for an Apple software feature rather than bundling it into an existing plan, and it raises an open question for the rest of the industry: whether other U.S. carriers follow with similar charges once their own networks support Handoff.
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