The fastest way to transfer apps is to restore from your iCloud or iTunes backup during setup
When you set up a new iPhone, you can move all your apps at once by restoring from a backup of your old phone. This happens automatically during the initial setup process — you sign in with your Apple ID, choose a backup to restore, and your apps download in the background while you use the phone. You do not have to download each app individually.
If you have already finished setting up your new iPhone without restoring a backup, you can still get your apps back. You can restore from backup in Settings, or you can download them one at a time from the App Store. The method you choose depends on whether you want everything at once or prefer to add apps as you need them.
Key Takeaways
- Restoring from an iCloud or iTunes backup during setup transfers all your apps, settings, and data in one step.
- If setup is already complete, you can restore a backup through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, though this erases your current phone data.
- You can download individual apps from the App Store by searching for them or by opening Purchased to see apps you have owned before.
- Apps you bought on an older version of iOS may not work on newer iPhones, and some apps may not be available in your region's App Store.
- Your Apple ID is required to restore apps or download them again — you cannot transfer apps without signing in.
Restoring from backup during initial setup
When you first turn on a new iPhone, you will see the setup screen. Tap through until you reach the "Apps & Data" screen. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from Mac or PC" depending on where your backup is stored. Sign in with the Apple ID that was on your old phone, then select which backup you want to restore. The system will show you the date and size of each backup so you can pick the right one.
After you choose a backup, your new iPhone will download your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. You can use your phone while apps are downloading — they will continue in the background. Do not turn off your phone or disconnect from Wi-Fi during this process.
Restoring from backup after setup is complete
If you have already set up your new iPhone and want to restore apps from a backup, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings" at the bottom. This will wipe your phone and return it to the setup screen, where you can then restore from a backup as described above. This method erases everything currently on your phone, so only use it if you have not added important data yet.
Alternatively, if you do not want to erase your phone, you can download apps individually from the App Store instead. This is slower but lets you keep your current settings and data intact.
Downloading individual apps from the App Store
Open the App Store and tap the search tab at the bottom. Type the name of the app you want, then tap the cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app name. The app will download and install automatically. If you see a price instead of a cloud icon, the app costs money and you will need to purchase it again.
You can also see apps you have owned before without searching. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner of the App Store, then tap "Purchased." Tap "My Purchases" to see all apps you have ever bought or downloaded for free with your Apple ID. Tap the cloud icon next to any app to download it again. This method is useful if you remember owning an app but cannot recall its exact name.
Apps that may not transfer or work
Some apps will not transfer to your new iPhone even if they were on your old phone. Apps that are no longer available in the App Store cannot be downloaded again, though if you owned them before they were removed, you may still see them in your Purchased list. Tapping the cloud icon will attempt to download the last version you owned, but this often fails if the app has been discontinued.
Apps designed for older versions of iOS may not work on newer iPhones. If an app requires iOS 14 and your new iPhone runs iOS 17, the App Store will not let you download it. You can check an app's requirements by opening its page in the App Store and scrolling to "Information" — look for "Requires iOS [version] or later." Some apps are also region-specific and may not appear in your App Store if you have moved to a different country.
Signing in with your Apple ID
Your Apple ID is the account you use to buy apps, store backups, and download apps you have owned before. When you restore from a backup or download apps, you must be signed in with the same Apple ID that was on your old phone. If you use a different Apple ID, you will not see your purchased apps in the Purchased list, and you will not be able to restore a backup from your old phone.
To check which Apple ID you are signed in with, go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top. If you need to sign in with a different account, tap "Sign Out" at the bottom, then sign in with the correct Apple ID. Keep in mind that signing out will remove your iCloud backup from the phone, though it will still exist in iCloud and you can restore it later.
Transferring apps between iPhones without a backup
If you do not have a backup of your old phone, you can still move apps by downloading them individually from the App Store. The only information you will lose is app-specific data like game progress, saved passwords, or custom settings — the apps themselves will install fresh on your new phone. Open the App Store, search for each app, and tap the cloud icon to download it.
If you want to preserve app data without a full backup, some apps offer their own backup or sync features. For example, many games let you sign in with a game account to restore your progress, and email apps sync your messages through your email provider. Check each app's settings to see if it offers a way to save your data separately from your phone's backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for apps again when I transfer them to a new iPhone?
No. Apps you have already bought or downloaded for free can be downloaded again on your new iPhone at no cost. Your purchase history is tied to your Apple ID, not to your old phone. You only pay if you are downloading an app for the first time or if the app's price has changed since you last owned it.
What if I forgot my Apple ID password?
Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a link to reset your password. You can also go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password on any Apple device you own. You will need access to a trusted phone number or email address associated with your account to complete the reset.
Can I transfer apps from an Android phone to an iPhone?
No. Android and iOS apps are different and not compatible. You will need to download the iPhone version of each app separately from the App Store. Some apps you used on Android may not have an iOS version, and some iOS apps may work differently than their Android counterparts. Check the App Store to see which apps you need are available.
Why does my backup say it is too large to restore?
Your backup may be larger than the available storage on your new iPhone. If your new phone has 64 GB of storage and your backup is 80 GB, it will not fit. You can restore a smaller backup if you have one, or you can download apps individually and restore only the data you need most. You can also delete photos, videos, or other files from your backup before restoring it.
Will my app settings and passwords transfer when I restore from backup?
Yes. When you restore from a backup, your app settings, saved passwords, and app-specific data all transfer to your new iPhone. This includes login information, preferences, and game progress. The only exception is apps that store data outside of your phone's backup — these apps may require you to sign in again when you open them on your new phone.