UK Carrier EE Sets Pricing for Apple iPhone Handoff Feature
EE becomes the first UK carrier to disclose costs for Apple’s iPhone Handoff, offering it free on top plans or for £5 monthly on others.
Key points
- EE is the first UK mobile operator to publish pricing for Apple’s iPhone Handoff service.
- The feature is included free with EE’s Full Works Plus plan or costs £5 per month on other contracts.
- Apple stated iPhone Handoff will be available to customers by the end of the current year.
UK mobile carrier EE has become the first telecommunications provider in the United Kingdom to announce specific pricing for Apple’s iPhone Handoff feature. According to a report by 9to5Mac, EE revealed these costs alongside its preorder announcement for the iPhone Duo. This disclosure provides the first concrete details for UK consumers regarding the financial impact of using the same eSIM across multiple devices.
Apple introduced iPhone Handoff at its September keynote event, describing it as a capability that allows users to share one eSIM between two iPhones. The service requires carrier support to function. During that same event, Apple confirmed that T-Mobile, Verizon, EE, and Deutsche Telekom would enable the feature for their subscribers. T-Mobile and Verizon have already announced their respective fees in the United States.
Context and Background
Verizon recently confirmed it will charge customers $10 per month to use iPhone Handoff. As Threat Times reported on 2026-10-17, this fee doubles the $5 monthly charge that T-Mobile has set for the same add-on service. These US announcements established a precedent for carriers monetizing the eSIM flexibility feature. EE’s UK pricing mirrors T-Mobile’s lower tier, though it offers a free inclusion option.
Apple’s definition of iPhone Handoff emphasizes the ability to switch between two iPhone models while retaining the same mobile number. The company states that users can choose the device best suited for a specific activity, such as running or hiking, without missing calls or messages. Contacts, calls, and notifications are designed to move seamlessly between the paired devices, ensuring continuous connectivity regardless of which phone is currently in use.
Who is Affected
EE customers on the Full Works Plus plan will receive iPhone Handoff at no additional cost. This plan already includes Fast Lane service, which prioritizes data traffic during network congestion. For subscribers on other EE plans, the feature will cost £5 per month on a rolling contract basis. This pricing structure affects all UK users who wish to utilize the dual-device eSIM capability once the service launches.
The service is described by EE as "coming soon," aligning with Apple’s broader timeline. Apple announced that iPhone Handoff will be available to the public by the end of the year. Until then, UK customers cannot activate the feature, even though preorder announcements for compatible hardware like the iPhone Duo are already underway. This delay means current billing cycles do not yet reflect these new charges.
What should you do?
Users should review their current EE plan details to determine if they qualify for the free inclusion via Full Works Plus. If on a different plan, customers should calculate whether the £5 monthly fee fits their budget before the service launches. It is advisable to monitor official announcements from EE and Apple for the exact launch date and any changes to plan eligibility requirements.
What to do and how to stay safe: Apple
- Review your current mobile contract to see if you are enrolled in a premium tier that might include the feature for free.
- Estimate the annual cost of the add-on fee if you are on a standard plan to determine if the feature is financially viable.
- Monitor official carrier communications for the specific launch date and technical requirements for enabling dual eSIM usage.
- Check if your current iPhone model supports the necessary iOS version for Handoff before committing to the additional monthly charge.
Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
How much does iPhone Handoff cost on EE in the UK?
It is free for customers on the Full Works Plus plan and costs £5 per month on other rolling contracts.
When will iPhone Handoff be available to UK customers?
Apple stated the feature will be available by the end of the current year, though EE describes it as coming soon.
Which carriers have announced pricing for iPhone Handoff?
T-Mobile charges $5/month, Verizon charges $10/month, and EE charges £5/month or offers it free on top plans.
