Verizon Will Charge $10 a Month for iPhone Handoff

Verizon plans to charge customers $10 per month for the iPhone Handoff feature that Apple added in iOS 27.

Verizon announced its iPhone Duo service on June 12 2025, adding a $10 per month charge for the iPhone Handoff feature that Apple introduced in iOS 27. The feature lets a single phone number ring on two iPhones simultaneously, using carrier‑provided settings rather than Apple’s iCloud Handoff. Verizon will provision the capability through a carrier settings update that activates automatically for subscribers who opt in. The fee appears as a separate line item on the monthly bill and does not require a long‑term contract.

If you already use two iPhones with the same number, your next Verizon bill will include an additional $10 charge for the Duo add‑on. The fee applies regardless of whether you use the feature heavily or only occasionally. Customers who do not opt in will continue to receive service on their primary line at no extra cost. The change takes effect for billing cycles starting July 1 2025.

Historically carriers have offered Apple’s continuity features such as Handoff and Universal Clipboard at no extra cost, treating them as part of the network experience. Verizon’s move mirrors earlier attempts by AT&T to levy fees for FaceTime over cellular and by T‑Mobile to charge for Wi‑Fi calling on select plans. Industry analysts note that carriers are increasingly looking to monetize software capabilities that were once free differentiators. Insiders say Verizon tested the $10 price point in a pilot with 50 000 business lines before the public rollout.

Verizon will disclose uptake and revenue from the Duo add‑on in its Q3 2025 earnings release scheduled for October 28 2025. Apple is expected to address carrier‑specific Handoff limitations in iOS 28, which could affect how the feature works across networks. Regulators in the Federal Communications Commission have signaled they may review whether such fees constitute unfair billing practices. Surprisingly, internal data shows that fewer than 8 percent of eligible Duo subscribers actually activate the Handoff feature after opting in.