The fastest way to transfer apps between Android phones

The easiest method is to sign into your Google Account on the new phone during setup. Google Play automatically restores most of your apps within minutes — you don't have to download them one by one. This works because Google stores a record of every app you've ever installed from the Play Store, tied to your account.

If you've already finished setup on the new phone, you can still restore apps the same way: go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Store, then open the Play Store app and tap your profile icon in the top right. Select "Manage apps & device," then the "Manage" tab, and you'll see an option to restore apps you've owned before. Tap the checkbox next to each app you want, then "Install."

Apps you paid for will restore without charging you again. Free apps restore the same way. The only apps that won't transfer are ones you sideloaded (installed from outside the Play Store) or ones the developer has removed from the Play Store entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing into your Google Account during setup automatically restores most Play Store apps to your new Android phone within minutes.
  • Apps you paid for restore without a second charge, and your app data (settings, saved games, login information) transfers if the app developer built that feature in.
  • Sideloaded apps and apps no longer available in the Play Store won't restore automatically and must be reinstalled manually.
  • If an app won't restore, check whether it's region-locked, incompatible with your new phone's Android version, or no longer available in your country's Play Store.

What happens to your app data and settings

Restoring an app is not the same as restoring your data inside that app. Google transfers the app itself, but whether your saved games, login information, photos, or other data come with it depends on whether the app developer built that backup feature in.

Many apps — including Gmail, Google Photos, Spotify, and most banking apps — automatically sync your data to your account, so your information appears the moment you log in on the new phone. Other apps store data only on your phone and don't sync to the cloud, so that data stays behind on your old phone.

Before you switch phones, open apps you use frequently and check their settings for a backup or sync option. Some apps have a manual backup button you can tap before the transfer. Others back up automatically if you've turned the feature on. If an app doesn't offer backup, you may need to manually save important information (like notes or contact lists) before switching.

Transferring sideloaded apps and apps from other sources

If you installed an app by downloading an APK file directly (not through the Play Store), that app won't restore automatically. You'll need to transfer the APK files to your new phone and install them manually, or reinstall them from wherever you originally got them.

The safest way is to ask the app developer or the source where you downloaded it whether they have an official Play Store version. If they do, use that instead — it's easier to update and more secure. If there's no Play Store version, you can transfer APK files using a file manager app, but understand that sideloaded apps don't receive automatic security updates the way Play Store apps do.

Apps from third-party stores (like Samsung Galaxy Store or Amazon Appstore) also won't transfer through Google Play. You'll need to open those stores on your new phone and reinstall the apps from there.

When an app won't restore or isn't available

Sometimes you'll try to restore an app and see a message that it's not available. This usually means one of four things: the app is no longer in the Play Store, the app isn't compatible with your new phone's Android version, the app is region-locked to a different country, or the developer has removed it from your region's Play Store.

Check the Play Store on your new phone by searching for the app by name. If it appears in search results, you can install it manually. If it doesn't appear, the app is either no longer available or not available in your country. Some apps are only sold in certain regions, and moving to a new country or region can affect what you see in the Play Store.

If an app requires a newer Android version than your phone has, you won't be able to install it. Check your phone's Android version in Settings > About Phone > Android Version. If the app's minimum requirement is higher, you'll need to either update your phone's Android (if available) or find an alternative app that works with your version.

Using Google's built-in transfer tool during setup

When you first turn on a new Android phone, the setup wizard offers to transfer data from your old phone. If you choose this option and select your Google Account, the phone will restore your apps, contacts, calendar events, and some settings automatically.

This method is faster than manually signing in later because everything happens in one step. The transfer happens over Wi-Fi, so make sure both phones are connected to the same network and have good signal. The process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you have and how fast your internet is.

If you skip this step during setup, you can still restore apps later by signing into your Google Account in the Play Store, as described in the first section. There's no time limit — you can restore apps days or weeks after you get the new phone.

Transferring between different Android manufacturers

Moving from a Samsung to a Google Pixel, or from any Android phone to another, works the same way: sign into your Google Account and let Google Play restore your apps. The process doesn't change based on which manufacturer made either phone.

Some manufacturers (like Samsung) have their own backup tools that can transfer additional data like text messages, call logs, or device settings. If you want to use those tools, you'll find them in your old phone's Settings under "Backup" or "Cloud." These are optional — your apps will transfer through Google Play regardless.

The only exception is if you're moving apps that came pre-installed on your old phone by the manufacturer. Those apps may not be available on your new phone if it's a different brand. For example, a Samsung-specific app won't automatically appear on a Google Pixel. In that case, search the Play Store for the app by name, and if it's available, install it manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay again for apps I already bought?

No. When you restore a paid app through your Google Account, Google recognizes that you've already purchased it and installs it for free. Your purchase history is tied to your account, not to your phone.

Will my app settings and saved games transfer?

Only if the app developer built that feature in. Apps that sync to your account (like Gmail or Spotify) will have your data waiting when you log in. Apps that only store data locally will not. Check the app's settings before you switch to see if there's a backup option.

What if I don't remember all the apps I had?

Open the Play Store on your new phone, tap your profile icon, select "Manage apps & device," then go to the "Manage" tab. You'll see a list of every app you've ever installed on any Android phone using that Google Account. You can restore them all at once or pick and choose which ones you want.

Can I transfer apps if I'm switching from iPhone to Android?

No. iPhone apps and Android apps are completely different and don't transfer between the two systems. You'll need to find Android versions of the apps you want. Many popular apps (like Instagram, Spotify, or Microsoft Office) exist on both platforms, but you'll have to install them separately on Android.

What happens to my old phone's apps after I switch?

Nothing. The apps stay on your old phone exactly as they were. Restoring apps to your new phone doesn't remove them from your old one. You can keep using your old phone, or wipe it and sell it — that's your choice.