The fastest way: use iCloud during setup
When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, Apple walks you through a setup process that can copy your apps directly from your old phone to the new one. This is the method most people should use because it transfers not just the apps themselves, but also your login information, settings, and data stored inside each app.
To do this, keep both phones nearby. On the new iPhone, follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the "Apps & Data" screen. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Migrate from iPhone" (the exact wording depends on your iOS version). Sign in with your Apple ID, then select the backup from your old iPhone. The new phone will download your apps automatically over Wi-Fi during the setup process and for several hours afterward.
If you've already finished setting up the new iPhone without transferring apps, you can still get them back. Go to the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Purchased," and you'll see every app you've ever downloaded on any iPhone linked to your Apple ID. Tap the cloud icon next to any app to download it again.
Key Takeaways
- During initial setup, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Migrate from iPhone" to transfer apps, settings, and app data all at once.
- If setup is already complete, go to the App Store's Purchased section to download apps you owned before, which reinstalls them on your new phone.
- Apps you bought or downloaded are tied to your Apple ID, so you can reinstall them on any iPhone you own without paying again.
- Some apps may not restore their saved data if they don't use iCloud or the app developer's own backup system — check individual apps after transfer.
What happens to your app data and login information
When you transfer apps using iCloud, most of your data comes along. Apps that store information in iCloud — like Notes, Reminders, Photos, and Mail — sync automatically. Apps made by Apple generally handle this well because they're built into the backup system.
Third-party apps (ones not made by Apple) vary. Some, like Slack or Spotify, save your login session so you stay signed in after the transfer. Others require you to sign in again even though your account data is safe on their servers. A few apps don't back up their data at all, so you may lose game progress, saved documents, or custom settings.
After your apps finish downloading on the new iPhone, open each one you use regularly and check whether you're still logged in. If you're not, sign back in — your account and data are still there, the app just needs to reconnect. If an app seems to have lost saved data, check the app's settings for a "restore" or "sync" option, or contact the app's support team.
Transferring apps without using iCloud
If you don't want to use iCloud or your backup is too old to restore, you can download apps one at a time from the App Store. Search for each app by name, tap the cloud icon to download it, and sign in when prompted. This takes longer but gives you control over which apps you actually want on the new phone.
You can also use a Mac or Windows computer to speed this up slightly. Connect your new iPhone to a computer, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), and go to the Apps section. You'll see a list of apps from your old iPhone's backup. Check the boxes next to the ones you want, then sync. This method works best if you have a small number of apps or if your internet connection is slow.
Apps that may not transfer or may need extra steps
Some apps won't transfer automatically because they're no longer available in the App Store, or because they were removed after you bought them. If an app you owned is no longer sold, you can't download it again — it's simply gone. Check your Purchased list in the App Store to see which apps are still available.
Apps that use security features like banking apps or two-factor authentication usually require you to sign in again on the new phone, even if the transfer worked. This is intentional — the app is protecting your account. Have your password and any backup codes ready before you start using these apps on the new phone.
Games and apps that track your location or access your contacts may ask for permission again on the new iPhone. This is normal. When you open the app, you'll see a prompt asking whether to allow access — choose yes or no based on whether the app needs that information to work properly.
Transferring apps between iPhones of different ages
If your old iPhone runs an older version of iOS and your new one runs a newer version, most apps will still transfer fine. Apple's backup system is designed to handle this. However, if your old phone runs a much newer iOS version than your new phone can support, you may have problems — but this is rare because most people upgrade to newer phones, not older ones.
Some very old apps written for iOS 10 or earlier may not work on newer iPhones at all, even if they transfer. If an app won't open or crashes immediately after you download it, it's likely too old for your new phone's iOS version. Check the App Store listing to see the minimum iOS version required.
Manually organizing apps after transfer
When your apps finish transferring, they'll appear on your home screen in roughly the same layout as your old phone, but not always exactly. You can rearrange them by pressing and holding an app icon, then dragging it to a new spot. You can also create folders by dragging one app onto another, which groups similar apps together.
If you have many apps and want to start fresh with a cleaner layout, delete the ones you don't use regularly. You can always download them again later from the App Store without paying. This is a good time to remove apps you installed but never opened, or ones that have been replaced by newer versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for my apps again on the new iPhone?
No. Apps you bought or downloaded are tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific phone. Once you download them on the new iPhone, they're yours to use. You only pay once, the first time you get an app.
What if my old iPhone is broken and I can't turn it on?
If you have an iCloud backup from before it broke, restore from that backup on the new phone during setup. If you don't have a backup, you can download your apps again from the App Store using your Apple ID, though you'll lose any data stored inside those apps.
Can I transfer apps from an iPhone to an Android phone?
No, iPhone apps only work on iPhones. Android uses different apps. However, many popular apps like Gmail, Spotify, and Instagram exist on both platforms. You'll need to download the Android versions separately on your Android phone.
Why is an app asking me to sign in again after the transfer?
The app itself transferred, but your login session didn't. This is normal for security reasons, especially with banking or social media apps. Sign in again with your username and password — your account and data are still safe on the app's servers.
How long does it take for all my apps to download on the new iPhone?
It depends on how many apps you have and your Wi-Fi speed. A few dozen apps usually take 15 to 30 minutes. Larger apps or slower internet can take longer. Your phone will continue downloading in the background even if you use it, so you don't have to wait.