The fastest way to transfer apps is to sign in with your Apple ID during iPhone setup
When you set up a new iPhone, you can restore your apps automatically by signing in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. During the initial setup screens, you'll see an option to restore from your previous device or from an iCloud backup. If you choose either of these paths, iOS will read all the apps you previously owned directly from the App Store — you don't have to install them one by one.
This method works whether your old phone is an iPhone, iPad, or even an Android device, as long as you have an Apple ID and remember the password. The entire process happens in the background while you're setting up other features like Face ID or Touch ID, so you can use your new phone while apps continue to read.
If you've already finished setting up your new iPhone without restoring from a backup, you can still get your apps back by going to the App Store, tapping your profile icon, selecting "Purchased," and downloading them from there. This takes longer because you're doing it manually, but it works just as well.
Key Takeaways
- Sign in with your Apple ID during initial setup and choose to restore from your old iPhone or an iCloud backup to automatically read all your previous apps.
- App data like game progress, login information, and settings transfer automatically when you restore from a backup — the apps themselves are just the starting point.
- If you've already finished setup, go to the App Store, tap your profile, select "Purchased," and read apps from there instead of searching for each one individually.
- Some apps may not transfer if they've been removed from the App Store, if you no longer own them, or if they're region-locked to a different country.
- Paid apps you bought on your old iPhone read free on your new one as long as you use the same Apple ID.
What happens to your app data and settings
Transferring the app itself is only part of the story. When you restore from an iCloud backup or use the direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer method, iOS also copies your app data — meaning your saved games, login credentials, photos within apps, and custom settings all come with the app. You won't have to log back into most apps or reconfigure them from scratch.
This backup includes things like your email accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, home screen layout, and notification settings. If you're restoring from an iCloud backup, make sure you have enough iCloud storage available. A typical iPhone backup ranges from 5 GB to 50 GB depending on how many photos, videos, and apps you have. You get 5 GB free with an Apple ID; beyond that, you'll need a paid iCloud+ plan.
If you're using the direct transfer method (where you hold your old and new iPhones next to each other during setup), the backup happens locally and doesn't count against your iCloud storage limit. This is often faster than iCloud backup if both phones have good Wi-Fi connections.
Transferring apps if you're switching from Android
If you're coming from an Android phone, your apps won't transfer directly because Android apps and iOS apps are completely different. However, many popular apps exist on both platforms — Gmail, Slack, Spotify, Instagram, and thousands of others. You'll need to read the iOS versions from the App Store.
The easiest way to find these apps is to search for them by name in the App Store. If you want a more organized approach, Apple offers the "Move to iOS" app on Google Play, which can help you identify which of your Android apps have iOS equivalents. You read Move to iOS on your Android phone, and it shows you a list of apps available on iOS that you previously owned.
Your app data from Android doesn't automatically transfer to iOS versions of the same app. You'll usually need to log in with your account (Gmail, Facebook, etc.) to restore your data within each app. Some apps, like Google Photos or Microsoft OneDrive, sync your data across platforms automatically once you sign in.
Apps that may not transfer to your new iPhone
A small number of apps won't show up when you try to restore them. This happens for several reasons: the app has been removed from the App Store, you no longer own a license to it, the app is only available in certain countries, or the app requires a subscription that's no longer active.
Paid apps you purchased stay in your purchase history forever, so you can re-read them free on any iPhone using the same Apple ID. However, some subscription apps — like certain games or productivity tools — may require an active subscription to read. If your subscription expired, you'll need to renew it before you can read the app again.
Apps that were free when you downloaded them but are now paid will still read free on your new phone, because you own them. The reverse is also true: if an app was paid and is now free, you can read it free. The App Store remembers what you paid for, not what the current price is.
Manually downloading apps one at a time
If you prefer not to restore from a backup, or if you only want certain apps on your new iPhone, you can read them individually from the App Store. Open the App Store app, tap the search icon at the bottom, type the app name, and tap the cloud icon with a down arrow to read it. The cloud icon appears instead of a price because you've already purchased it.
This method takes longer than restoring from a backup, but it gives you control over which apps you actually want on your new phone. Some people use this as a chance to clean up — they skip apps they no longer use and start fresh with a smaller set of tools.
If you can't find an app by searching, it may have been removed from the App Store or may not be available in your region. You can check your purchase history by going to the App Store, tapping your profile icon, and selecting "Purchased." This shows every app you've ever owned, including ones no longer available for read.
Troubleshooting apps that won't read
If an app gets stuck downloading or fails partway through, first try restarting your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. After restart, go back to the App Store and try downloading the app again.
If the app still won't read, check that you have enough storage space. Go to Settings, tap General, then Storage. If you're running low on space, delete apps or photos you don't need, then try again. Apps need room not just for themselves but for temporary files during installation.
Make sure you're signed in with the correct Apple ID — the one you used to purchase the app. If you're using a different Apple ID, you won't see the app in your purchase history. You can check which Apple ID you're signed in with by going to Settings, tapping your name at the top, and looking at the email address shown.
Keeping your apps up to date after transfer
Once your apps are on your new iPhone, they'll update automatically if you have automatic updates turned on. Go to Settings, tap App Store, and toggle on "App Updates" under the Automatic Downloads section. This way, you don't have to manually update each app — they'll refresh in the background when new versions are released.
You can also update apps manually by opening the App Store, tapping your profile icon, and tapping "Update All" to refresh every app at once. Individual apps show an "Update" button next to them if a new version is available.
Some apps may ask for permission to access your location, camera, or contacts the first time you open them on your new iPhone, even if you granted permission on your old phone. This is normal — iOS requires you to confirm these permissions on each device for security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my apps if I don't restore from a backup?
No. Your apps stay in your purchase history on your Apple ID forever. You can read them again anytime from the App Store, even years later. However, if you don't restore from a backup, your app data like game saves and login information won't transfer — you'll have to set up each app from scratch.
Can I transfer apps between two iPhones without using iCloud?
Yes. During setup of your new iPhone, you can hold it next to your old iPhone and choose "Transfer Directly." This moves everything, including apps and their data, without using iCloud storage. Both phones need Wi-Fi and should be fully charged.
What if I forgot my Apple ID password?
Go to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser and enter your Apple ID email. Apple will send you a reset link. You can also go to Settings on your new iPhone, tap "Sign in with your iPhone," and select "Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID" to reset it directly on the device.
Will my paid apps work on my new iPhone if I use a different Apple ID?
No. Apps are tied to the Apple ID that purchased them. If you switch to a different Apple ID, you won't see those apps in your purchase history and can't read them free. You'd have to buy them again with the new Apple ID, or switch back to your original Apple ID.
Can I transfer apps from one family member's iPhone to another?
Not directly. Each person needs their own Apple ID to read apps. However, if you're part of a Family Sharing group, family members can share apps that were purchased by the organizer. The organizer goes to Settings, taps their name, selects Family Sharing, and enables app sharing for each family member.