The fastest way to transfer apps is to sign in with your Google Account on the new phone

When you set up a new Android phone, you'll be asked to sign in with a Google Account during the initial setup. If you use the same Google Account you used on your old phone, Google Play will automatically restore most of your apps to the new device. This happens in the background while you're setting up other features, and you don't need to do anything else.

The apps will download and install over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Larger apps may take several minutes. You can check the progress by opening Google Play Store, tapping your profile icon in the top right, and selecting Manage my apps & games. Apps that are currently installing will show a progress bar.

This method restores the apps themselves, but not always the data inside them — like saved games, login information, or custom settings. Some apps store their data in your Google Account automatically, but others don't. You may need to sign back into individual apps after they install.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign in with your Google Account during setup on the new phone, and Google Play will automatically restore most apps you owned on your old device.
  • Apps download in the background over Wi-Fi or mobile data, and you can monitor progress in the Google Play Store's Manage my apps & games section.
  • App data like saved games and login credentials may not transfer automatically — you'll often need to sign back into apps individually.
  • Apps you sideloaded or downloaded from sources other than Google Play won't restore automatically and must be reinstalled manually.
  • If automatic restore doesn't work, you can manually download any app from Google Play by searching for it and tapping Install.

What happens if automatic restore doesn't work

Occasionally, apps don't restore automatically even when you sign in with the correct Google Account. This usually happens because the app was removed from Google Play Store, the app isn't compatible with your new phone's Android version, or there's a temporary connection issue.

To manually restore an app, open Google Play Store on your new phone, search for the app by name, and tap Install. You can also visit your Google Play purchase history by tapping your profile icon, selecting Manage my apps & games, then Manage, and looking for the app in the list of apps you've owned. Tap it and select Install.

If an app still won't install, check whether your new phone's Android version supports it. Older apps sometimes stop working on newer Android versions, and newer apps may not work on older phones. You can see the Android version requirement in the app's Google Play Store listing under About this app.

Apps that won't transfer automatically

Some apps never restore automatically, even with the same Google Account. Apps you sideloaded — meaning you downloaded them from a website or file instead of Google Play Store — won't transfer because Google Play has no record of them. You'll need to find and reinstall these manually.

Apps from third-party stores like Samsung Galaxy Store, Amazon Appstore, or other regional stores also won't restore through Google Play. If you used these stores on your old phone, you'll need to open the same store on your new phone and reinstall the apps there.

Some paid apps may not restore if the developer has removed them from sale, if your Google Account region has changed, or if the app is no longer maintained. In these cases, you may not be able to reinstall the app at all, though you typically won't be charged again if you try.

Transferring app data separately

App data — like game progress, photos in a photo app, or notes you've written — doesn't always move with the app. Some apps back up their data to your Google Account automatically, but many don't. After your apps install, you may need to sign back into each one and restore the data manually.

For apps that support it, look for a Restore, Sign in, or Backup option in the app's settings. Many social media apps, email clients, and productivity tools will restore your data once you sign in with your account. Games often have a Connect to Google Play Games or similar option that restores your progress.

If an app doesn't offer built-in backup, you may be able to export your data from the old phone and import it on the new one. This varies by app — some let you export to a file, others sync to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Check the app's settings or help section for export options.

Using Google's built-in backup for other phone data

Beyond apps, Google can back up other information from your old Android phone: contacts, calendar events, Gmail, photos (through Google Photos), and some app settings. This backup happens automatically if you're signed in with a Google Account and have backup enabled.

When you sign in with the same Google Account on your new phone, this data restores automatically. Contacts appear in your Contacts app, calendar events show up in Google Calendar, and photos sync through Google Photos. You don't need to do anything — it happens during setup.

To check that backup is enabled on your old phone before you switch, go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy > Data from apps and services. Make sure Web & App Activity is turned on. On your new phone, the same data will restore once you sign in.

Transferring apps between phones with different manufacturers

If you're switching from a Samsung, OnePlus, or other Android phone to a different brand, the process is the same — sign in with your Google Account, and Google Play restores your apps. The only difference is that manufacturer-specific apps (like Samsung's built-in apps on a Samsung phone) won't transfer to a different brand.

Some manufacturers offer their own transfer tools. Samsung has Smart Switch, which can transfer apps, settings, and data directly from one Samsung phone to another over Wi-Fi or USB. If you're switching away from Samsung to another brand, you don't need Smart Switch — Google Play restore works fine on its own.

Third-party transfer apps exist, but they're usually unnecessary. Google's built-in restore through your Google Account is faster and more reliable than any third-party tool. The only reason to use a manufacturer's tool is if you're staying within that brand and want to transfer data that Google doesn't back up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my apps if I don't sign in with the same Google Account?

Yes. If you sign in with a different Google Account on your new phone, Google Play won't know which apps you owned before. You can still download any app manually from Google Play, but automatic restore won't happen. If you realize this after setup, you can add your old Google Account to the new phone in Settings > Accounts, and restoration may still work.

Will my app passwords and login information transfer?

Not automatically. Most apps require you to sign in again on the new phone. However, if you use Google's password manager or an app like Bitwarden, those passwords may sync automatically. For apps that don't sync passwords, you'll need to sign in manually or use password recovery if you don't remember your credentials.

Can I transfer apps from an iPhone to Android?

No. iPhone apps and Android apps are completely different and incompatible. However, many apps exist on both platforms under the same name. You'll need to search for and download the Android version of each app from Google Play Store. Your data may not transfer between platforms — you'll usually need to sign in with your account in the Android version.

What if I want to keep apps on my old phone and also have them on the new one?

You can. Installing an app on your new phone doesn't remove it from your old phone. Both phones can have the same apps as long as you're signed in with a Google Account that owns them. However, app data won't sync between the two phones — changes you make in an app on one phone won't appear on the other unless the app has its own cloud sync feature.

How long does it take for all apps to restore?

It depends on how many apps you have and your internet speed. A few apps may restore within minutes, but if you have dozens, it can take an hour or more. Larger apps take longer than small ones. You don't need to wait for all apps to finish — you can use your phone while they're installing in the background.