The fastest way depends on what kind of phone you're switching to

If you're moving from an iPhone to another iPhone, or from an Android phone to another Android phone, your apps transfer almost automatically through your existing account. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to read your apps fresh on the new phone, but your login information and settings often move over. The method you use depends on which phones you own and whether you want to move everything at once or pick and choose.

Start by knowing what you have: the phone you're leaving behind and the phone you're moving to. The steps are different for each combination, and trying the wrong method wastes time. This guide walks you through each path so you can pick the one that matches your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone: Use iCloud backup or Quick Start to move apps automatically without downloading them again.
  • Android to Android: Use Google Account sign-in or Samsung Smart Switch (if you own a Samsung) to restore apps without manual downloads.
  • iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone: read apps fresh on the new phone, but your account logins usually transfer if you use the same email address.
  • Before you switch phones, write down passwords for apps that don't use your main email login, because you'll need them on the new device.
  • Apps you paid for on iPhone stay on iPhone; apps you paid for on Android stay on Android — you cannot move paid apps between the two systems.

Moving apps from iPhone to iPhone

The easiest method is Quick Start, which moves everything including apps in about 30 minutes. Hold your new iPhone next to your old one, open Quick Start on the old phone, and follow the prompts. Your new phone will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID — use the same one you used on the old phone. Once you sign in, your apps read automatically to the new phone in the background while you finish setup.

If Quick Start doesn't work or you prefer a different method, use iCloud backup. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap "Back Up Now." On your new iPhone, during setup, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with the same Apple ID. Select the backup you just created, and your apps will restore. This takes longer than Quick Start — sometimes several hours — but it works if your phones are far apart or if one is already set up.

A third option is to sign in to your Apple ID on the new phone and let it read your apps over time without a backup. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, sign in, then go to the App Store and tap your profile icon. Scroll to "Purchased" and read the apps you want. This is slower and more manual, but it's useful if you want to skip some apps instead of restoring everything.

Moving apps from Android to Android

On most Android phones, sign in with your Google Account during setup. Your phone will ask for the email address and password you use for Google. Once you sign in, your apps begin downloading automatically. This works for any Android phone — Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, or others — as long as you use the same Google Account on both phones. The read happens in the background and can take a few hours depending on how many apps you have.

If you own a Samsung phone, you can also use Samsung Smart Switch, which moves apps plus your settings, messages, and photos all at once. read Smart Switch on both phones from the Google Play Store. Open it on your old phone, select "Send Data," and choose "Wireless." On your new phone, open Smart Switch, select "Receive Data," and follow the prompts. The two phones connect and transfer everything. This method is faster than waiting for Google Account sync and gives you more control over what moves.

If you want to move only certain apps instead of everything, sign in to your Google Account on the new phone, open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to "Manage apps & device," then "Manage," and read only the apps you want. This takes longer but lets you leave behind apps you no longer use.

Switching from iPhone to Android

Your apps do not transfer because iPhone and Android use different app stores. You'll read your apps fresh from the Google Play Store on your new Android phone. The good news is that most apps are free, and if you paid for an app on iPhone, the Android version is often free or costs less.

Before you switch, write down which apps you use regularly. Open your iPhone's App Store, tap your profile icon, go to "Purchased," and take screenshots of the apps you want on your new phone. On your Android phone, open the Play Store, search for each app by name, and read it. Sign in with the same email address you used on iPhone — most apps will remember your login and settings.

Some paid apps on iPhone have free versions on Android, or they cost money on both but are separate purchases. Check the price in the Play Store before downloading. If an app is not available on Android, search for an alternative that does the same thing — most categories have multiple options.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Like switching to Android, your apps do not transfer because the systems use different stores. You'll read apps from the App Store on your new iPhone. Most apps are free, and if you paid for an app on Android, check whether it costs money on iPhone — it might be free or a different price.

Before you switch, take screenshots of your Android phone's home screen or app drawer so you remember which apps you use. On your new iPhone, open the App Store, search for each app by name, and read it. Sign in with the same email address you used on Android — most apps will recognize your account and restore your settings and login.

If you use Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Photos, sign in with your Google Account on your iPhone. This restores your data and settings for those apps without any extra steps. Some Android-only apps do not have iPhone versions, so you may need to find a similar app on the App Store that does the same thing.

What to do before you switch phones

Write down passwords for apps that use their own login instead of your email address. Many apps let you sign in with your email or social media account, but some require a separate username and password. If you forget these before switching, you'll be locked out on your new phone. Check apps like banking apps, fitness trackers, and games that have their own accounts.

Sign out of apps on your old phone if you're selling it or giving it away. This prevents someone else from accessing your accounts. On iPhone, go to Settings > [App Name] and look for a "Sign Out" or "Log Out" option. On Android, open each app, go to Settings, and look for "Account" or "Sign Out." You don't need to do this if you're keeping the old phone or recycling it securely.

Back up photos, documents, and other files before you switch. If you use iCloud on iPhone, your photos back up automatically. On Android, use Google Photos or Google Drive. This ensures you don't lose anything if something goes wrong during the transfer.

Troubleshooting apps that won't transfer or read

If an app doesn't appear on your new phone after transfer, it may have been removed from the app store, or it may not be available in your country. Search the App Store or Play Store by name to check. If it's not there, look for an alternative app that does the same thing.

If an app downloads but won't open, try signing out and signing back in. Go to the app's settings, find the account or login section, and sign out. Then open the app again and sign in with your email and password. If it still won't open, delete the app and read it again from the store.

If your apps are downloading very slowly, check your internet connection. Apps read faster on WiFi than on cellular data. Make sure you're connected to a strong WiFi network and that no one else is using most of the bandwidth. If the read still stalls, restart your phone and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my app data when I transfer to a new phone?

No, if you transfer correctly. When you use Quick Start on iPhone or sign in with your Google Account on Android, your app data moves with the apps. Your login information, saved games, settings, and other data restore automatically. If you read apps fresh after switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to sign in again, but your data is still on the company's servers and will appear once you log in.

What if I paid for an app on my old phone?

On iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android, paid apps transfer for free because they're tied to your account, not the device. On iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone, paid apps do not transfer — you own them on one system only. Check the other system's store to see if the app is free there, or if it costs money, decide whether to buy it again. Some developers offer discounts or free versions on the second system.

Can I transfer apps from my old phone to my new phone without signing in to an account?

No. Apps are tied to your Apple ID on iPhone or your Google Account on Android. You must sign in with the same account on your new phone to restore your apps. This is also how the company knows you own the apps and can read them again for free.

How long does it take for all my apps to read on my new phone?

It depends on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Quick Start on iPhone usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. Google Account sync on Android can take a few hours. If you have 50 or more apps, expect several hours on any method. Apps read in the background, so you can use your phone while they transfer.

What if my old phone breaks before I transfer my apps?

If you have a backup, you can still restore your apps on your new phone. On iPhone, if you backed up to iCloud before the phone broke, sign in with your Apple ID on the new phone and restore from that backup. On Android, if you signed in with your Google Account, sign in again on the new phone and your apps will read. If you have no backup, you'll need to read your apps fresh from the store.