The fastest way: sign in with your Apple ID during setup

When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, you'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. If you use the same Apple ID you used on your old phone, the new iPhone will automatically download all the apps you previously bought or installed. This happens in the background while you set up other features, and most apps will be ready to use within an hour.

This method works because Apple stores a record of every app you've ever downloaded under your Apple ID account. The new phone doesn't need to be physically near your old one — it just needs internet access. You don't have to manually select which apps to restore; they all come back unless you deleted them from your account history.

If you skip this step during initial setup, you can still restore apps later by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > App Library & Offscreen Apps, then toggling on the apps you want to download.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing in with your Apple ID during setup automatically restores all your previously purchased apps without any additional steps.
  • App data and login information do not transfer automatically — you'll need to sign back into each app individually after installation.
  • If you want to keep your old phone's exact layout and settings, use iCloud backup or Mac Finder to restore a full backup to the new phone.
  • Apps deleted from your Apple ID account history will not restore, so check your purchase history if an app doesn't appear.
  • Some apps may take time to download depending on file size and your internet speed, so allow several hours before assuming an app won't restore.

Using iCloud backup to transfer everything at once

If you want your new iPhone to look and feel exactly like your old one — same app positions, same home screen layout, same settings — use an iCloud backup. This copies not just your apps but also your photos, messages, settings, and app data all at once.

To create a backup on your old phone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap "Back Up Now." Make sure your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi, because backups can be large and take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

On your new iPhone, during setup, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" when prompted. Sign in with the same Apple ID, select the most recent backup, and the phone will download everything. This process can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on backup size and internet speed. Your apps will restore in the order they were arranged on your old phone.

Using Mac Finder or Windows to transfer via cable

If you have a Mac or Windows computer, you can connect both phones with cables and transfer apps and data directly. On a Mac running Monterey or later, open Finder, connect your new iPhone, and select it in the sidebar. Click "Restore Backup" and choose the backup from your old iPhone.

On Windows, use iTunes (or the Devices tab in Windows 11). Connect your new iPhone, right-click the device, and select "Restore." Choose the backup file from your old phone. This method is faster than iCloud if you have a slow internet connection, because data transfers over USB instead of over the network.

The cable method also works if you don't have enough iCloud storage for a full backup. However, you need both phones and a computer available at the same time, which makes it less convenient than iCloud if you're upgrading away from home.

What transfers and what doesn't

Apps themselves will transfer, but your login information usually will not. After your apps restore, you'll need to sign back into each one with your username and password. Some apps store login data in the iPhone's keychain (Apple's password manager), which does transfer, so you may find yourself already signed in to some apps — but not all.

App data like game progress, saved documents, or custom settings transfers only if the app stores that data in iCloud or on the app developer's own servers. Apps that store everything locally on the phone will not transfer their data unless you use a full iCloud or computer backup. Check individual app settings to see whether they back up to the cloud.

Photos, messages, contacts, and calendar events transfer with any backup method. Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain transfer automatically. Text message threads and call history transfer. Voicemail does not transfer — you'll need to save important voicemails as audio files before switching phones.

If an app doesn't restore

Sometimes an app won't appear on your new phone even though you previously owned it. This usually happens because the app was removed from the App Store, the developer discontinued it, or it's no longer compatible with the new iPhone's iOS version.

Check your App Store purchase history by opening the App Store app, tapping your profile icon, and selecting "Purchased." Filter by "Not on This iPhone" to see apps you've bought that aren't currently installed. If the app appears there, tap the download icon to install it. If it doesn't appear in your purchase history at all, the app is no longer available.

Some apps require a newer iOS version than your old phone could run. If you're upgrading to a much newer iPhone model, check the App Store listing for any apps you need — it will show whether they're compatible with your new phone's iOS version.

Transferring apps between different Apple IDs

If you're switching to a new Apple ID on your new phone, apps purchased under your old ID will not restore automatically. You have two options: keep using your old Apple ID on the new phone (you can have multiple Apple IDs signed in for different purposes), or manually download the apps again under your new ID.

If you want to use only your new Apple ID, you'll need to repurchase any paid apps or reinstall free apps. There is no way to transfer app ownership from one Apple ID to another. However, you can sign in with your old Apple ID just for the App Store while keeping your new ID for iCloud and other services — this lets you access your old purchases without switching your entire account.

To do this, go to Settings > App Store, tap your profile icon, sign out, then sign in with your old Apple ID. Your old purchases will then be available to download on the new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my app passwords transfer to the new phone?

Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain transfer automatically with any backup method. Passwords saved only within individual apps will not transfer — you'll need to sign back in. To check if an app uses Keychain, look in Settings > Passwords & Security after signing in to see if the app appears there.

Can I transfer apps without using iCloud or a computer?

Yes, if you sign in with the same Apple ID during setup, all your apps download automatically from the App Store. This doesn't require a backup or a computer — just your Apple ID and an internet connection. However, app data and settings won't transfer this way; you'll only get the apps themselves.

How long does it take for all apps to download on a new iPhone?

Most apps download within an hour on a standard internet connection. Larger apps and games can take longer. The iPhone prioritizes downloading apps you use most frequently first, so commonly used apps appear before less frequently used ones. You can use the phone while apps are still downloading in the background.

What if I don't remember my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com and follow the steps to reset your password. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. If you can't access either, contact Apple Support — they can help verify your identity and regain access to your account.

Do I need to delete apps from my old phone before transferring?

No. Deleting apps from your old phone doesn't affect what's stored in your Apple ID account. Even if you delete an app, it remains in your purchase history and will restore to your new phone. The only exception is if you permanently delete it from your purchase history, which you can do manually in the App Store.