The fastest way: use iCloud to restore everything at once

When you set up a new iPhone, Apple gives you the option to restore from an iCloud backup of your old phone. This is the simplest route because it copies your apps, their settings, your photos, messages, contacts — nearly everything — in one process. You do not have to download each app separately or reconfigure them.

To use this method, your old iPhone must have been backed up to iCloud. You can check this by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup on your old phone and looking at the "Last Backup" date. If it shows a recent date, you are ready. If not, tap "Back Up Now" and wait for it to finish — this can take several minutes depending on how much data you have.

When you turn on your new iPhone for the first time, you will see a setup screen that asks whether you want to restore from a backup. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup", sign in with your Apple ID, and select the backup from your old phone. The process will take time — anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on your internet speed and how much data you are restoring. Your phone will restart partway through, which is normal.

Key Takeaways

  • Restoring from an iCloud backup transfers your apps and their settings automatically, and is the fastest method for most people.
  • Your old iPhone must have a recent iCloud backup before you can restore; check the backup date in Settings before you set up the new phone.
  • If you do not have an iCloud backup, you can sign into the App Store on your new iPhone and download your apps manually from your purchase history.
  • Apps that require login information (email, social media, banking) will ask you to sign in again on the new phone, even if you restore from backup.
  • Some app data may not transfer if the app stores information outside of iCloud, so you may need to reconfigure certain apps after the transfer.

Downloading apps manually from your purchase history

If you do not have an iCloud backup, or if you prefer to set up your new phone without restoring everything, you can download your apps one at a time from the App Store. Open the App Store on your new iPhone, tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner, and select "Purchased". You will see a list of every app you have ever bought or downloaded on any iPhone linked to your Apple ID.

Tap "Not on This iPhone" to filter the list to only apps that are not already installed. Then tap the download icon (a cloud with a down arrow) next to each app you want. The App Store will download and install them. This method takes longer than restoring from backup because you are downloading each app separately, but it gives you control over which apps you actually want on your new phone — you can skip apps you no longer use.

Keep in mind that this method does not transfer the app's settings or data. If an app stores your preferences, saved games, or login information within the app itself rather than in iCloud, you will need to set those up again after installation.

What happens to app data and login information

When you transfer apps to a new iPhone, the app itself moves over, but not all of the information inside it. Apps that use iCloud to store data — like Notes, Reminders, and many third-party apps — will sync automatically once you sign into your Apple ID on the new phone. You will see your data appear within a few minutes.

Apps that store data only on your phone, or that require you to log in with a username and password, will not automatically transfer that information. You will need to sign in again. This includes email apps, banking apps, social media apps, and most games. Have your passwords ready, or use your password manager if you have one set up. Some apps may also ask you to verify your identity through two-factor authentication.

A few apps — particularly older ones or those that do not use iCloud — may not transfer any data at all, even if you restore from backup. If you open an app after transfer and it looks empty or reset, check the app's settings to see whether it has a sync or backup option you need to turn on.

Transferring apps using a computer (Mac or Windows)

You can also transfer apps by connecting your new iPhone to a computer and using Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows). This method is slower than iCloud restore and is rarely necessary, but it can be useful if your internet connection is very slow or if you want to transfer apps from a backup file stored on your computer.

On a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, connect your new iPhone and open Finder. Click the iPhone icon in the sidebar, then click "Apps" at the top. You will see a list of apps from your old phone's backup. Check the boxes next to the apps you want to transfer, then click "Apply". On Windows, use iTunes instead of Finder, but the process is similar.

This method is most useful if you have a very old backup file on your computer that you want to restore from, or if you are transferring apps to a phone that is not connected to the same iCloud account as your old phone.

Handling apps that will not transfer

Some apps may not appear in your purchase history or may refuse to download on your new iPhone. This usually happens because the app has been removed from the App Store, because it is not compatible with your new phone's iOS version, or because it was purchased on a different Apple ID.

If an app you want is no longer in the App Store, you cannot download it again through normal means. Your only option is to restore from an iCloud backup of your old phone, which may preserve the old version of the app. If the app is incompatible with your new phone's iOS version, check whether the developer has released an updated version. If not, the app is no longer supported and you will need to find an alternative.

If an app was purchased on a different Apple ID, you will need to sign into that account on your new iPhone to download it. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases, tap "Sign Out", then sign in with the other Apple ID. After downloading the app, you can sign back into your primary account.

Speeding up the transfer process

If you are restoring from an iCloud backup, connect your new iPhone to Wi-Fi and plug it into power. The restore will run faster on a strong, stable connection, and plugging in prevents the phone from running out of battery during the process. Avoid using the phone while it is restoring — let it sit and complete the process uninterrupted.

If you are downloading apps manually, the same rules apply: use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data, and plug in your phone. You can speed things up slightly by downloading multiple apps at once — the App Store will queue them and download several in parallel.

If your internet connection is very slow, consider doing the transfer at a location with faster Wi-Fi, such as a library or coffee shop. A slow connection can turn a 30-minute restore into a several-hour process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my apps if I do not restore from backup?

No. Your apps remain on your old iPhone. If you set up your new phone without restoring from backup, you simply start with a blank phone and download apps as you need them. Your old phone keeps everything until you erase it.

Will my app passwords transfer to the new phone?

Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain will transfer automatically if you restore from backup or sign into your Apple ID on the new phone. Passwords stored only within an app will not transfer — you will need to sign in again. If you use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, you will need to sign into that app on the new phone to access your passwords.

Can I transfer apps from an Android phone to an iPhone?

No, Android and iPhone apps are different and not compatible with each other. When switching from Android to iPhone, you will need to download the iPhone versions of the apps you want from the App Store. Many apps exist on both platforms, but some Android apps do not have iPhone versions and vice versa.

What if my new iPhone is a different storage size than my old one?

Storage size does not affect app transfer. You can restore from a backup of a phone with more storage to a phone with less storage, as long as the total amount of data (apps, photos, messages, etc.) fits on the new phone. If it does not fit, the restore will fail and tell you to free up space.

How long does it take to transfer apps from iCloud backup?

The time varies depending on how many apps you have, how much data they contain, and your internet speed. A typical restore with 50 to 100 apps can take 30 minutes to an hour. Very large backups or slow internet connections can take several hours. The phone will show a progress bar during the restore.