The fastest way to move your apps depends on whether you're switching to the same type of phone or a different one

If you're moving to a new iPhone, the easiest path is iCloud backup and restore. If you're moving to a new Android phone, Google Account sync does the same work. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to read your apps fresh from the App Store or Google Play Store, because the two systems don't share app libraries.

The good news: your login information, photos, and settings usually travel with you no matter which method you use. The apps themselves reinstall automatically on the same platform. You won't lose anything — it just takes a few minutes to set up.

Key Takeaways

  • Staying within iPhone or Android means your apps transfer automatically through your backup account, with no manual downloading required.
  • Switching between iPhone and Android requires you to read each app again from the new phone's app store, but your account logins and data stay the same.
  • Before you start, make sure your old phone is fully backed up and plugged in, because the transfer process can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how many apps you have.
  • Your app data — saved games, preferences, login information — transfers along with the apps on the same platform, but not when you switch between iPhone and Android.

Transferring apps when you stay on iPhone

Start by backing up your current iPhone to iCloud. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup. Turn on iCloud Backup if it's not already on, then tap Back Up Now. This can take 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. Keep your phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi while it runs.

When your new iPhone arrives, turn it on and follow the setup screens. When you reach the screen that asks how you want to set up your phone, choose Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. Select the most recent backup from the list. Your apps, photos, messages, and settings will read automatically. This process can take an hour or more if you have many apps, so plug in your new phone and stay on Wi-Fi.

If you've already set up your new iPhone without restoring from backup, you can still transfer your apps. Go to the App Store, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, then Purchased. You'll see all the apps you've ever downloaded on any iPhone linked to your Apple ID. Tap Not on This iPhone to see apps that aren't currently installed, then tap the cloud icon next to each one to read it again.

Transferring apps when you stay on Android

Make sure your old Android phone is backed up to your Google Account. Go to Settings, then Google, then Manage your Google Account. Tap Data & Privacy, then scroll down to Data from apps and services and make sure Web & App Activity is turned on. Then go back to Settings and tap System > Backup (or Accounts > Backup and restore, depending on your phone model). Tap Back up now.

When your new Android phone starts up, sign in with the same Google Account during setup. The phone will ask if you want to restore from your previous device — say yes. Your apps, contacts, calendar, and settings will read automatically. Like iPhone, this can take an hour or longer depending on the number of apps.

If you've already finished setup without restoring, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, then Manage apps & device. Go to the Manage tab and tap Installed apps. You'll see a list of every app linked to your Google Account. Tap any app you want to reinstall, then tap Install.

Switching from iPhone to Android

Your apps won't transfer because iPhone and Android use different app stores. Instead, you'll read each app fresh from Google Play Store on your new Android phone. The good news is that your login information and account data usually stay with you — when you open an app and sign in with the same username and password, your saved data appears.

Before you switch, write down which apps you use regularly. Open your iPhone's App Store, tap your profile picture, then Purchased. Take screenshots or write down the names of the apps you want to keep. When your Android phone is ready, open Google Play Store and search for each app by name. Tap Install for each one. Most apps are free, though some charge a fee on both platforms.

Some apps work differently on Android than on iPhone, and a few iPhone apps don't have Android versions at all. If you can't find an app on Google Play Store, search for "Android alternative to [app name]" to find a similar app that does the same thing.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Like switching from iPhone to Android, your apps won't transfer automatically. You'll need to read them from the App Store on your new iPhone. Before you switch, open Google Play Store on your Android phone, tap your profile icon, then Manage apps & device. Go to the Manage tab and take screenshots of your installed apps so you remember which ones you use.

On your new iPhone, open the App Store and search for each app by name. Tap Get, then Install. When you open each app and sign in with the same account, your saved data and preferences will be there. Some Android apps don't have iPhone versions, so you may need to find an alternative app that works the same way.

What happens to your app data during transfer

When you transfer apps on the same platform — iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android — your app data travels with them. This includes saved games, login information, preferences, and any content you've created inside the app. You don't have to do anything; it happens automatically as part of the backup and restore process.

When you switch platforms, app data doesn't transfer automatically because the two systems store data differently. However, most apps save your login information to your account, not to your phone. When you read the app on your new phone and sign in, your data appears. Some apps — especially games — may not sync between platforms, so you could lose progress. Check the app's settings before you switch to see if it offers cloud backup or account sync.

Troubleshooting apps that won't transfer

If an app doesn't appear on your new phone after backup and restore, it may have been removed from the app store, or it may not be compatible with your new phone's operating system version. Open the App Store or Google Play Store and search for the app by name. If it doesn't appear in search results, it's no longer available. If it does appear but says "Incompatible with your device," your phone's operating system is too old or too new for that app.

If an app downloaded but won't open, try restarting your phone. If it still won't open, delete it and read it again from the app store. If you're still having trouble, check the app's support page or contact the app's developer — they can tell you whether the app works on your phone model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to read all my apps, or can I pick and choose?

You can pick and choose. When you restore from backup on iPhone or Android, all your apps read automatically, but you can delete any you don't want after setup is complete. If you prefer to read only the apps you use, skip the restore and read them one by one from the app store instead.

Will I lose my login information when I transfer apps?

No. When you transfer apps on the same platform, your login information transfers with them. When you switch platforms, most apps store your login on their own servers, so when you read the app on your new phone and sign in, you'll have access to your account. Some apps may ask you to sign in again for security reasons.

How long does it take to transfer all my apps?

Backing up your old phone takes 15 to 30 minutes. Restoring to your new phone can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Keep your new phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi during the entire process.

What if my new phone is a different size or model?

It doesn't matter. As long as it's the same operating system — iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android — your apps transfer the same way. The phone model and screen size don't affect the transfer process.

Can I transfer apps from my old phone to someone else's phone?

No. Apps are tied to your account, not to your phone. Someone else would need to sign in with their own account and read the apps themselves. If an app costs money, they would need to purchase it on their own account.