Apple has added a new "iPhone Handoff" feature to iOS 27 that will allow you to switch between two iPhones while using the same phone number on each device.


This functionality was briefly mentioned during the WWDC 2026 keynote in June, on a slide that listed hundreds of new features coming in iOS 27 and corresponding software updates, but Apple never shared any further details at the time.

MacRumors forum member pdfu today shared a video that demonstrates how the feature will work, using two simulated iPhones running in Xcode 27's Device Hub.

"iPhone Handoff" can be set up from the Settings app, under the Cellular menu. During the setup process, you can choose which iPhone you want to be the main device that you use most often and which one you want to be the companion device.

Apple says a user's main eSIM will remain on the main iPhone, while the companion iPhone will receive a companion eSIM, and this will enable you to switch between the devices back and forth while using the same phone number.

All cellular settings are managed on the main iPhone, and location sharing is based on whichever iPhone is actively using the phone number.

In addition to needing two iPhones running iOS 27, "iPhone Handoff" will seemingly require carrier support. The forum post mentions that T-Mobile in the U.S. and Deutsche Telekom in Germany might be among the first carriers to offer the feature.

Following three months of beta testing, iOS 27 is expected to be released later this month, so we will likely hear more about this feature soon.
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Apple today shared a short video featuring an Apple Watch user named Amanda who says her device saved her life.


In 2024, Amanda began receiving alerts about an abnormal heart rate. Her watch alerted her about changes to her resting heart rate and her overnight vitals, prompting her to visit her doctor.

She ended up being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive cancer. After treatment, she is in remission.

"I absolutely believe that if it wasn't for my Apple Watch, I wouldn't be talking to you," she said.

The Apple Watch regularly monitors heart rate and can send alerts when a high heart rate is detected during rest. It also notes low heart rates and irregular heart rhythms, plus the ECG app can detect atrial fibrillation.
This article, "'I Wouldn't Be Talking to You': Apple Shares Apple Watch Survival Story" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Recently, Daring Fireball's John Gruber resurfaced an old tip that lets you quickly access the settings menu for the currently opened app on your iPhone. If you find it a hassle digging through the Settings app to find the associated app menu, this solution saves you the bother.

It uses a simple Shortcut – made conveniently downloadable courtesy of Quinn Nelson – that you can add to Control Center (or better yet the Action button) by using the "Run Shortcut" control. We couldn't not highlight it here because it's so useful.
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Amazon has introduced the first cash discounts on Apple's brand new Mac mini, with discounts including two of the M6 models as well as the M5 Pro model. All of these deals are pre-order discounts on the 2026 Mac mini, which officially launches on September 22.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can get the 16GB RAM/256GB SSD Mac mini for $879.99, down from $899.00, and the 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model for $1,069.99, down from $1,099.00. Both of these devices come with the new M6 chip, and Amazon also has $29 off the M5 Pro Mac mini right now.





In terms of upgrades, Apple said the Mac mini with the M6 chip delivers up to 40% faster CPU performance, up to 4× faster performance for AI tasks in particular, up to 2× faster graphics performance, and up to 2× faster storage speeds compared to the previous-generation model with the 10-core M4 chip, 32GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Apple's New Mac Mini Already Discounted - See the Pre-Order Deals" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Starting today, Oklahoma residents can add a digital version of their driver's license to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch. The digital ID can be used to display proof of identity or age at TSA checkpoints in select airports, at select businesses, and in select apps, but the number of places where it is accepted is still quite limited.


Oklahoma is the 16th state to implement support for Apple Wallet IDs in the U.S., joining Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The feature is also available in Puerto Rico and works with Japan's My Number Card.

Apple has also been preparing for the feature to go live in North Carolina and Utah in the coming months, and years ago it announced that Connecticut, Kentucky, and Mississippi were committed to launching the feature at some point.

To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards, select Oklahoma from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to complete the process. Then, you can present your digital ID where it is accepted without handing over your device.


You can present an Apple Wallet ID where accepted by simply tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch on an identity reader. Then, you will be able to view the specific information being requested by the TSA or business. Only after authorizing with Face ID or Touch ID is the requested identity information released from your device.

As mentioned, you do not need to unlock, show, or hand over your device to present an Apple Wallet ID in person, ensuring user privacy.

Apple Wallet IDs are generally not accepted by law enforcement, so carrying a physical ID is still legally required for traffic stops. In addition, the number of businesses that accept Apple Wallet IDs is still quite small. At least for now, Apple Wallet IDs are designed to be a convenient alternative where they are accepted.

Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports across the U.S. for domestic travel, according to Apple.
This article, "iPhone Driver's License Feature in Apple Wallet Launches in Oklahoma" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple last week announced two new Mac Studio models, with one built around the M5 Max chip and one around the all-new M5 Ultra chip, replacing the M4 Max and M3 Ultra models that had been on sale since March 2025.


The gap between the two is unusually wide this time. ‌Mac Studio‌ with M5 Max starts at $2,499, holding the price Apple set when it raised Mac prices in June, while ‌Mac Studio‌ with M5 Ultra starts at $5,499, a further $200 increase on the post-June M3 Ultra price and $1,500 above what the M3 Ultra cost at launch.

That makes the premium $3,000 before any configure-to-order options, and memory and storage upgrades are more expensive than usual because of the memory chip shortage. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two ‌Mac Studio‌ models is best for you. The shared features include:

• An identical enclosure measuring 3.7 inches tall and 7.7 inches wide


• Neural Accelerators built into every GPU core, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing


• Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW, plus AV1 decode


• A next-generation SSD architecture that Apple says is up to twice as fast as before


• Thunderbolt 5 with up to 120Gb/s of bandwidth, and clustering of multiple systems using RDMA (remote direct memory access)


• 10Gb Ethernet, HDMI, and an SDXC card slot (UHS-II)


• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via the N1 chip, both new to the ‌Mac Studio‌


• Genlock over USB-C for synchronization with professional camera capture


• A 3.5mm headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones


• macOS 27, Apple Intelligence, and Siri AI

Here is everything that differs between the two models:

‌Mac Studio‌ (M5 Max)	‌Mac Studio‌ (M5 Ultra)
Starts at $2,499	Starts at $5,499
M5 Max chip	M5 Ultra chip
18-core CPU with 6 super cores and 12 performance cores	Up to 36-core CPU with 12 super cores and 24 performance cores, from 30 cores
Up to 40-core GPU, from 32 cores	Up to 80-core GPU, from 64 cores
16-core Neural Engine	32-core Neural Engine
Up to 614GB/s memory bandwidth	1.2TB/s memory bandwidth
36GB, 48GB, 64GB, or 128GB of unified memory	96GB, 256GB, or 512GB of unified memory
512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, or 8TB of storage	1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB, or 16TB of storage
Up to 3.9x faster AI performance than M4 Max	Up to 4.3x the peak AI compute performance of M3 Ultra
Up to 50% faster graphics than M4 Max	Up to 1.8x faster graphics than M3 Ultra
One video decode engine and two video encode engines	Two video decode engines and four video encode engines
Two ProRes encode and decode engines	Four ProRes encode and decode engines
Four Thunderbolt 5 ports, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports	Six Thunderbolt 5 ports and two USB-A ports
Support for up to five 4K displays, four 6K displays, or two 8K displays	Support for up to eight 4K displays, eight 6K displays, or four 8K displays
6.0 pounds (2.7 kg)	8.0 pounds (3.6 kg)

For the overwhelming majority of buyers, including most professionals, the M5 Max is the more appropriate choice. An 18-core CPU, up to 40 GPU cores with Neural Accelerators, up to 128GB of unified memory, and up to 614GB/s of bandwidth cover workflows such as multi-stream 4K and 6K editing, large Logic sessions with real-time plugins, compiling substantial codebases, and most 3D and motion work.

Apple's own figures support this, with up to 3x faster Magic Mask performance in Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio and 1.4x faster scene rendering in Maxon Redshift compared to M4 Max, and graphics that are up to 50% faster than the previous generation. Since memory cannot be added later, the sensible approach is to spend more on unified memory at the point of purchase rather than on the higher chip tier.

You should only choose the M5 Ultra if you anticipate running into a performance ceiling the M5 Max cannot clear. The most obvious use-case is local AI inference, where the whole model needs to be resident in memory. 256GB and 512GB configurations paired with 1.2TB/s of bandwidth allow models with hundreds of billions of parameters to run on the machine itself, which keeps sensitive material on-device and eliminates the recurring cost of paying for cloud inference.

The other workflows that can take advantage of the M5 Ultra include studios finishing 8K material from several cameras at once, where the doubled Media Engine and its four encode engines earn their keep, research and simulation work that needs an enormous memory pool, and anyone who specifically needs six Thunderbolt 5 ports or more than five displays.

There is a notable catch in how the two memory ladders overlap. The M5 Ultra begins at 96GB, which is less than the 128GB you can configure on the M5 Max, so paying the premium at the entry configuration buys you more cores and more bandwidth, but less memory. The Ultra only separates itself at 256GB and above, and Apple limits the 512GB option to the 80-core GPU model, which means the configurations that justify the machine sit far above its starting price.

This is where the price proximity argument becomes noticeable. Configuring an M5 Max with memory and storage narrows the gap considerably, and at that point the Ultra becomes worth pricing alongside it, because it roughly doubles GPU cores, Neural Engine cores, memory bandwidth, and Media Engine capacity in one step. If your workload sits comfortably inside 128GB, though, that money is better spent on storage and displays than on the chip.

Both models support clustering over Thunderbolt 5 and RDMA, and Apple says four ‌Mac Studio‌ systems working together deliver up to 3x faster AI inference than a single machine, so scaling inference does not necessarily mean buying the most expensive configuration outright.

If the M5 Max still looks like more performance than you need, the new Mac mini with the M5 Pro chip starts at $1,699 with up to a 20-core GPU and 307GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is enough for a great deal of professional work.

Both new ‌Mac Studio‌ models are available to pre-order now, with availability beginning on September 22. The 512GB configuration arrives in late October, and its pricing is expected to start well above $10,000.
This article, "Mac Studio Buyer's Guide: M5 Max vs. M5 Ultra" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Elec reports that Google, Oppo, and Vivo plan to adopt ultra-thin glass (UTG) in their foldable phones next year, following Apple's lead. Apple's book-style iPhone Ultra, expected to be unveiled next week, reportedly uses two UTG layers, with the display sandwiched between them, isolating it from direct contact with the hinge.

The method, pioneered by Apple, is meant to spread mechanical stress across multiple layers to improve durability and reduce visible creasing over time. The UTG layers will be mass produced for Apple's rivals by Samsung, for wide adoption in 2027.
This article, "Apple's iPhone Ultra Crease Fix Set for Android Foldables Next Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Longtime leaker Sonny Dickson has shared an image of differently colored SIM card trays that he claims are for Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models, suggesting Apple's flagship lineup will again be available in a trio of colors: Silver, Dark Cherry, and Sky Blue.


Apple currently offers the iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange, Silver, and Deep Blue.

Dickson shared the image in response to a MacRumors report on Tuesday covering a Chinese leaker's claim that the iPhone 18 Pro models could come in Dark Cherry, Sky Blue, and Black.

Dickson told MacRumors the colors in the shared image are the only ones he's come across in recent months. However, the leaker did share iPhone 18 Pro dummy units back in May that included a fourth Black color. When that was pointed out to him, Dickson argued that black dummies are made every year, but it's not a color Apple prefers to use anymore.

iPhone models sold in the U.S., Canada, and several other regions use eSIMs and don't come with SIM card trays, but devices sold in Europe, Japan, China, and Australia still include one (with the exception of the iPhone Air, which lacked a SIM tray everywhere it was sold).

Chinese leaker Instant Digital in April said there would be no black color for the iPhone 18 Pro. Last year was the first time Apple's high-end iPhones have not been available with a black or dark gray color option in any way, so it's possible Apple will continue that trend. Macworld reported in the same month that Apple would offer Light Blue, Dark Cherry, Dark Gray, and Silver colors.

We'll know either way soon enough. Apple's ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 18 Pro‌ Max are expected to be unveiled at the company's September event next week, alongside the company's first foldable iPhone, aka "iPhone Ultra."
This article, "Leaked iPhone 18 Pro Parts Point to Three Color Options Excluding Black" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple last month announced a new Mac mini and a new Mac Studio. Both machines start shipping on Tuesday, September 22, which means they will launch in the same month as new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods.


Apple is expected to introduce the unannounced products at its annual iPhone fall event, which is this year carrying the tagline "Surprise and shine." The event takes place on Wednesday, September 9, making this month one of the busiest Apple has had in a while.

We should therefore see eight new Apple products go on sale before the end of September:

• Mac mini (M6 and M5 Pro): Announced last week, the new models start shipping September 22, with prices starting at $899.


• Mac Studio (M5 Max and M5 Ultra): Also announced last week, the new models begin shipping September 22, with prices starting at $2,499.


• iPhone 18 Pro: The flagship device set to be unveiled at Apple's fall event, with a smaller Dynamic Island and a A20 Pro chip.


• iPhone 18 Pro Max: The device is rumored to gain a camera upgrade exclusive to the larger model, alongside a bigger battery.


• Foldable iPhone: The company's first foldable is expected to have a ~5.5-inch display when closed, and a ~7.8-inch display when open, plus a super thin design with minimal crease and a durable hinge. It could be called "iPhone Ultra."


• Apple Watch Series 12: Apple's upcoming smartwatch is expected feature fitness tracking improvements and a faster S12 chip.


• Apple Watch Ultra 4: Apple's flagship rugged watch is expected to be updated alongside the Series 12, gaining the same S12 chip.


• AirPods 5: The new earbuds were referenced in macOS 26.7 and are reportedly ready for release, suggesting a launch alongside the new iPhones.

Apple isn't going to release a standard iPhone 18 in September 2026. The lineup will instead focus on more expensive iPhones. The ‌iPhone 18‌, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 will come out in spring 2027 instead. Apple does not plan to refresh the Apple Watch SE this year.

Apple has held its fall event in the first two weeks of September in each of the last several years, with new iPhones going on sale the following Friday.

Apple's "iPhone Ultra" was recently believed to have a delayed launch running into October, even though it's expected to be announced at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro models. However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said this week he would be "very surprised" if the foldable did not come out at the same time as the Pro iPhones or "very close to it."

"Either on the same launch date, a dual launch, or coming out within weeks later. This idea of a late October, November launch, massive delays, supply chain issues, I don't believe to be the case," he said.

Note that the Mac Studio configuration with 512GB of unified memory is coming in late October rather than on September 22. Every other Mac Studio configuration ships in September.
This article, "Apple Launching Eight New Products This Month" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today informed developers that universal Mac App Store apps that require macOS 13 or later can remove support for Intel-based Mac computers.

We're reaching out to let you know that universal macOS apps on the Mac App Store that require macOS 13 or later can now remove support for Intel-based Mac computers.

By removing support for Intel-based Mac computers, you can simplify your development and optimize your download and on-device size.

Apps that drop Intel support will no longer deliver updates for those machines, but Intel Mac users will be able to keep using the last compatible version of an app. Apple did not previously allow ‌Mac App Store‌ apps with Intel compatibility to drop support.

macOS Tahoe is the last version of macOS that will run on Intel-based Macs. macOS Golden Gate is limited to Apple silicon Macs with an M1 chip or later.

Apple is also phasing out support for Rosetta 2, the feature that lets Intel-based apps run on Apple silicon Macs. Rosetta will stop working for most apps after ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, and apps that use it won't launch. Apple is making an exception for some older unmaintained gaming titles that rely on Intel-based frameworks.
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It's been almost 12 months since Apple launched the iPhone Air, and because MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it daily since launch, he decided to do a one-year review covering what it's like using Apple's super-thin iPhone on a long-term basis.


The ‌iPhone Air‌ is the thinnest iPhone Apple has released to date, and the form factor doesn't get old. It's pocketable, can be used with one hand, and it's much lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. There's not much compromise on screen size since it has a 6.5-inch OLED display.

Apple used a smaller battery in the ‌iPhone Air‌, and it doesn't last as long as the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ models. Some people might be able to get through the day on a single charge, but others will need an external battery pack like the one Apple built for the ‌iPhone Air‌.

There's a single camera, which is one of the compromises with Apple's super-thin iPhone. You only get the Wide lens, with no option for the Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses that come with the other iPhone 17 models. No Ultra Wide also means no macro images.

Price was and continues to be the biggest ‌iPhone Air‌ issue. At $999, it's more expensive than the ‌iPhone 17‌, which has two cameras and nearly the same processor, and only $100 less than the three-camera ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌. The ‌iPhone Air‌'s price wasn't worth it to a lot of people, and rumors suggest that it didn't sell well.

Make sure to watch Dan's video to see all of his thoughts on the ‌iPhone Air‌.
This article, "iPhone Air Review: One Year With Apple's Super Thin $999 iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has set new CEO John Ternus' target compensation at $58 million, according to an updated SEC filing [PDF]. Tim Cook's target compensation is $47 million in his new role as executive chairman.


Ternus' fiscal 2027 compensation includes a $3 million salary and an annual equity award with a target value of $55 million. A quarter of the award is time-based and will vest semiannually over four years. The rest of the restricted stock units (RSUs) will vest based on Apple's total shareholder return relative to other companies in the S&P 500, which is how Cook's RSUs have worked for many years. For fiscal 2026, Apple granted Ternus a prorated RSU award with a target value of $2.5 million.

Cook's new salary will be $2 million, but he's also earning an equity award with a target value of $45 million in fiscal 2027. Half will be granted in the form of time-based RSUs that vest over four years, and the other half will vest based on Apple's stock performance. Should Cook retire on or after the first anniversary of the grant date, his equity will vest, but he won't receive the shares until the originally scheduled vesting dates.

Target compensation figures for Ternus and Cook do not include performance-based bonuses, so the final amount each earns in fiscal 2027 could change.

In 2025, Cook earned $74.3 million, including a $3 million salary, $12 million in performance-based cash awards, and $57.5 million in stock awards.

Ternus' previous pay as Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering was not publicly shared, so this is the first look at his compensation.
This article, "Here's What Apple is Paying John Ternus to Run the Company" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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