The fastest way depends on whether you're switching to the same type of phone or a different one
If you're moving from an iPhone to another iPhone, or from an Android phone to another Android phone, both systems have built-in tools that transfer your apps automatically during setup. You won't download each app individually. If you're switching between systems — iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone — you'll need to download your apps again from the app store, though your login information and some data may transfer depending on the app.
The method you use also depends on whether you have your old phone available right now. If it's lost, broken, or already gone, you can still get your apps back, but the process takes longer because you'll be downloading from scratch rather than copying from your old device.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone to iPhone transfers happen automatically if you use iCloud during setup, and your apps download in the background without you doing anything.
- Android to Android transfers use Google Account backup, which restores your apps when you sign in to your Google Account on the new phone.
- Switching between iPhone and Android requires downloading apps again from the App Store or Google Play Store, since the two systems don't share app libraries.
- You can transfer apps without your old phone by signing into your account on the new phone and downloading them manually or through your account's app history.
- Some apps won't transfer because they've been removed from the app store or aren't available in your region, and you'll need to handle those separately.
iPhone to iPhone: Using iCloud to transfer everything
When you turn on a new iPhone, the setup screen offers an option to restore from iCloud or from your old iPhone directly. If you choose iCloud, your phone will download all your apps automatically after you finish the initial setup. You don't need to do anything else — just let it run overnight if you have a lot of apps, since the download happens in the background.
If you choose to transfer directly from your old iPhone using a cable or wireless connection, the apps copy over immediately and you'll have them ready to use within an hour or two. This method is faster than waiting for iCloud downloads if you have a large app library.
Either way, your app data — login information, game progress, settings within apps — transfers along with the apps themselves. You won't lose anything that was stored inside the app.
Android to Android: Signing into your Google Account
When you set up a new Android phone, you'll be asked to sign into your Google Account. Once you do, the phone automatically restores all the apps that were on your previous Android phone. This happens in the background, and your apps will appear on your home screen over the next few minutes to an hour depending on how many you have.
If your apps don't appear right away, go to the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Manage my apps and games," then tap "Manage." You'll see a list of apps that were on your previous phone. Tap "Install" next to any that didn't restore automatically.
Your app data transfers along with the apps, so you won't need to log back into most of them or reconfigure settings.
Switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone
The app stores for iPhone and Android are separate, so apps don't transfer between the two systems. You'll need to download your apps again on the new phone. The good news is that most popular apps exist on both platforms — Facebook, Gmail, Spotify, banking apps, and others are available on both the App Store and Google Play Store.
Start by signing into the app store on your new phone with the same account you used on your old phone. Then search for each app you used regularly and download it. Some apps will remember your login information if you use the same email address, so you may not need to sign in again.
Some apps won't be available on the new platform, either because they were removed from the app store or because they were exclusive to one system. For those, look for alternatives in the new app store that do the same thing, or use the web version of the service if one exists.
If your old phone is lost, broken, or already gone
You can still get your apps back without the old phone. On iPhone, sign into your Apple ID during setup and choose to restore from iCloud. Your apps will download automatically. On Android, sign into your Google Account and your apps will restore the same way.
If you don't remember which apps you had, both systems keep a record. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, select "iCloud," then "Manage Storage," and look for the backup file — it lists all the apps that were backed up. On Android, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, select "Manage my apps and games," then "Manage," and you'll see all the apps associated with your Google Account.
Download the ones you actually use. You don't need to restore every app — many people use fewer apps on a new phone than they did on the old one, and that's fine.
Apps that won't transfer and what to do about them
Some apps disappear from the app store over time. If an app you used is no longer available, you won't be able to download it on your new phone. This happens when developers stop maintaining an app or when it violates the app store's policies. Check the app store search to confirm it's gone before assuming you've lost it.
Apps may also not be available in your region or country. If you travel or move, some apps that were available before might not show up in your new location's app store. Using a VPN or changing your app store region can sometimes solve this, but policies vary by app and by country.
For apps that won't transfer, look for alternatives that do the same thing. Most categories — note-taking, weather, fitness tracking, banking — have multiple options in both app stores.
Transferring app data when you're switching systems
When you move from iPhone to Android or vice versa, your app data doesn't transfer automatically because the apps themselves are different versions. However, many apps store your data in the cloud, which means you can access it on the new phone by signing in with the same account.
For example, if you use Gmail, your email is already in the cloud and will appear when you sign in on the new phone. If you use Dropbox, your files are there. Banking apps, social media, and most productivity apps work the same way — sign in and your data appears.
Some apps, especially games, store data locally on the phone and won't transfer between systems. Before you switch, check whether the game or app has a cloud save or backup feature. Many games let you link your account to Facebook or Google so your progress is saved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to download all my apps again, or can I pick and choose?
You can pick and choose. When your phone restores from backup, it downloads all your apps by default, but you can delete the ones you don't want. On a new phone, you only download the apps you actually use — there's no requirement to restore everything.
What if I forgot my Apple ID or Google Account password?
You'll need to reset it before you can restore your apps. On iPhone, go to iforgot.apple.com. On Android, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Both have options to verify your identity and reset your password. This usually takes a few minutes.
Can I transfer apps from my old phone to someone else's new phone?
No. Apps are tied to the account that purchased or downloaded them. The other person would need to download the apps themselves using their own account, or you'd need to share your account login, which isn't recommended for security reasons.
Why are some of my apps taking a long time to download after I set up my new phone?
Large apps and games take longer to download, especially if your internet connection is slow. The phone prioritizes downloads in the background, so other apps may download first. Let it run overnight if you have a lot of large apps. You can also manually download specific apps from the app store if you need them right away.
Will my app subscriptions transfer to my new phone?
Yes, if they're tied to your Apple ID or Google Account. Subscriptions to apps like Spotify, Adobe Creative Cloud, or fitness apps will continue on your new phone as long as you sign in with the same account. You won't be charged twice.