Verizon plans iPhone handoff support by year end

Verizon is planning to support Apple’s iPhone Handoff feature by the end of the year, positioning the carrier as the second major U.S. provider to back the service. The feature allows a single phone number to remain active on two iPhones simultaneously, with the number transferring to whichever device is unlocked to take calls.

T-Mobile Leads Rollout

T-Mobile became the first U.S. carrier to launch the service, adding a $5 monthly fee to the phone bill for customers who opt in. Apple announced the iPhone Handoff feature last month, prompting users with multiple devices to evaluate carrier options and associated costs.

While T-Mobile’s rollout is underway, the carrier has specified that the secondary iPhone should not have any other service attached to it. Additionally, the feature cannot be used with a T-Mobile business account at launch, limiting its immediate availability for certain users.

Market Dynamics

Verizon has not yet announced a specific price for the service, leaving the cost question unresolved for its customers. Meanwhile, AT&T is not expected to support the feature, according to the reporting. This carrier split means the market for iPhone Handoff is currently being defined as much by individual carrier policies as by Apple’s technology.

Apple describes the setup as having one main phone and one secondary phone. When either device is unlocked, the number becomes active on that specific phone, allowing it to receive calls. The timing of Verizon’s planned support is significant as users attempt to determine which carriers will facilitate this multi-device functionality and what the financial implications will be.