Mobile carrier EE has just unveiled how it will charge customers for iPhone Handoff in the UK — the feature that lets users run two iPhones under one number via eSIM. This makes EE the first operator in Britain to publish concrete pricing for the feature.
What Is iPhone Handoff?
Introduced by Apple during its September keynote, iPhone Handoff enables someone to sync their phone number, calls, messages and notifications between two iPhone models using the same eSIM. Users can transition between phones seamlessly — for example, switching for a run or running a backup device — without losing any communication. The feature requires carrier support, and Apple confirmed that EE, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Deutsche Telekom will support it. Initial rates from U.S. carriers have been made public, with T-Mobile pricing it at $5/month and Verizon at $10/month.
EE’s UK Pricing Plans
EE’s offerings split based on the plan in use. Its flagship “Full Works Plus” plan — which includes perks like Fast Lane priority — will include iPhone Handoff free of charge. This means customers will enjoy the flexibility of using Handoff without extra fees if subscribed to that premium tier.
For all other EE plans, iPhone Handoff comes at £5/month on a rolling contract. These plans do not carry the additional benefits of Full Works Plus but allow users to add this flexibility-oriented feature if they wish.
Though Apple has stated that iPhone Handoff will launch by the end of the year, EE hasn’t yet specified an exact release date. Customers on EE can expect the feature “coming soon.”
It’s worth noting the varying pricing strategies by carriers globally. In the U.S., one carrier chose $5/month, another $10. In the UK, EE splits between a free inclusion in its premium plan and a moderate £5/month elsewhere. Whether other UK carriers adopt similar tiered pricing remains to be seen.
Bottom line: For EE customers wanting to use iPhone Handoff, Full Works Plus offers full access at no additional cost. For those on standard contracts, it’s a small monthly add-on. Either way, the arrival of Handoff adds a new level of flexibility to how people use their iPhones.
What this means: EE’s dual-tier pricing positions premium plan holders especially well, rewarding high-value customers with no extra cost for Handoff. UK users will want to weigh the benefits of Full Works Plus against the modest monthly fee on cheaper plans. Other carriers’ pricing approaches will set important benchmarks, and whether those fees align with value delivered will decide how broadly this catches on.
