The fastest way depends on your phone type

If you're moving from one iPhone to another iPhone, or from one Android phone to another Android phone, the phone itself can transfer most of your apps automatically during setup. You won't need to download them one by one. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to download apps manually from the App Store or Google Play Store, because the two systems don't share app libraries.

The automatic transfer process works best when you have a backup of your old phone already made. For iPhones, this means an iCloud backup or a backup stored on a computer. For Android phones, this means a Google account backup. Both methods preserve not just the apps themselves, but also your login information and settings within those apps — so you don't start from scratch.

Even with automatic transfer, some apps may not move over. Apps you deleted from your old phone won't transfer. Apps that are no longer available in the store won't transfer. Paid apps you bought years ago might not transfer if the developer stopped supporting them. In those cases, you'll reinstall them manually or find a replacement.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone and Android to Android transfers happen automatically during setup if you restore from a backup of your old phone.
  • Switching between iPhone and Android requires manual download of each app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  • A backup must exist on your old phone before you set up the new one — create one through iCloud (iPhone) or your Google account (Android).
  • Apps you deleted, paid apps no longer in the store, and apps from third-party sources won't transfer automatically and must be reinstalled by hand.
  • Your login information and in-app settings usually transfer with the app, so you don't need to reconfigure everything after the transfer completes.

How to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone

Before you set up your new iPhone, make sure your old iPhone has a current backup. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. If the toggle is on (it will be green), tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — you'll see a message saying "Back up complete." This backup contains your apps, their settings, and your login information.

When you turn on your new iPhone for the first time, follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the screen that says "Apps & Data." Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. Select the backup you just created. The phone will download your apps, settings, and data. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Keep the phone plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi during this process.

If you already set up your new iPhone without restoring from backup, you can still transfer apps. Go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup. Turn on iCloud Backup if it's off. Then go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This erases the phone and lets you set it up again from your backup. This is more time-consuming than doing it during initial setup, so it's worth creating the backup before you open the new phone if you can.

How to transfer apps from Android to Android

On your old Android phone, open Settings and scroll down to Accounts (the name varies by manufacturer — it might say "Users & Accounts" or just "Accounts"). Tap Google. Make sure you're signed in with the Google account you want to use. If you're not, tap Add Account and sign in. Then go back to Settings and look for Backup or Google One (depending on your phone model). Tap it and make sure "Back up to Google One" or "Back up to Google Account" is turned on. Tap Back Up Now to create an immediate backup.

When you turn on your new Android phone, follow the setup prompts. When you reach the screen asking which Google account to use, sign in with the same account you backed up to on your old phone. The phone will ask whether you want to restore apps and data. Choose yes. Your apps will begin downloading automatically. This process can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on the number of apps and your internet connection. Leave the phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi.

If you've already finished setup without restoring from backup, you can still transfer apps manually. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap Manage Apps & Device. Go to the Manage tab. You'll see a list of apps you've installed on any Android device linked to your Google account. Tap Install next to each app you want on your new phone. This is slower than restoring from backup, but it works if you need it.

Switching from iPhone to Android

When you move from iPhone to Android, your apps don't transfer because the App Store and Google Play Store are separate systems. You'll need to download each app manually from Google Play Store on your new Android phone. The good news is that your login information for most apps (email, passwords, usernames) is usually stored in your email account or in the app's own servers, so you won't need to recreate accounts from scratch.

Start by making a list of the apps you actually use on your iPhone. Open your iPhone and look at your home screen and app library. Write down or take screenshots of the apps you use regularly. Then, on your new Android phone, open Google Play Store and search for each app by name. Most popular apps exist on both platforms. Tap Install for each one. Sign in with the same username or email you used on your iPhone when prompted.

Some iPhone apps don't have Android versions. If an app you need isn't in Google Play Store, search online for an Android alternative. For example, if you use a specific note-taking app that doesn't exist on Android, search "best note app for Android" to find similar options. You may also find that some paid apps you bought on iPhone are free on Android, or vice versa — you'll need to purchase them again if they're paid on the new platform.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Moving from Android to iPhone follows the same principle: apps don't transfer automatically because the systems are separate. You'll download each app from the App Store on your new iPhone. Before you start, make a list of the apps you use on your Android phone by taking screenshots or writing them down.

On your new iPhone, open the App Store and search for each app by name. Tap Get next to each app you want. You'll be asked to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Sign in to each app using the same username or email you used on Android. Most apps store your login information on their own servers, so your accounts should be ready to use once you sign in.

Some Android apps don't have iPhone versions. Search online for an iOS alternative if an app you need isn't in the App Store. Paid apps may have different prices on iPhone than they did on Android, so budget for that if you're moving several paid apps. You won't be refunded for apps you bought on Android — each platform's store is separate.

What to do if an app won't transfer

Apps disappear from stores for several reasons: the developer stopped supporting them, the app violated store policies, or the developer simply abandoned the project. If an app you need isn't available in the store anymore, you have a few options. First, search the store for a newer version or an updated app from the same developer — they may have released a replacement. Second, look for a third-party alternative that does the same thing. Third, check whether the app's website offers a direct download link (this is rare but happens with some business or utility apps).

If you deleted an app from your old phone before backing it up, it won't restore to your new phone. You can still download it again from the store if it's still available. If you're trying to restore a paid app you bought years ago, check your purchase history in the App Store or Google Play Store — you should be able to download it again for free if you're signed in with the same account you used to buy it.

Apps that came from sources other than the official App Store or Google Play Store (sometimes called "sideloaded" apps) won't transfer. If you need one of these apps on your new phone, you'll need to find the original source and install it again. This is uncommon for most users, but it's worth knowing if you use specialized or regional apps.

Transferring app data and settings

When you restore from a backup (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android), most app data transfers automatically. This includes login information, saved preferences, game progress, and message history. You don't need to do anything extra — the backup handles it.

When you manually download apps on a new phone or switch between iPhone and Android, app data doesn't transfer automatically. You'll need to sign back into each app. Many apps offer a sign-in option that restores your data once you authenticate — this is especially true for cloud-based apps like email, note-taking, and photo storage. Apps that store data only on your phone (like some games or local note apps) won't recover that data unless you backed them up separately.

If you're concerned about losing data from a specific app, check whether that app has its own backup or cloud sync feature. Many apps let you back up to their own servers or to cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud. Set this up on your old phone before you switch, then sign in on your new phone to restore the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my apps if I don't back up before switching phones?

You don't lose the apps themselves — you can download them again from the App Store or Google Play Store. But you may lose your login information, settings, and any data stored only on the old phone. Creating a backup before you switch prevents this loss.

Can I transfer apps from my old phone to my new phone without erasing the new phone?

Yes. If you've already set up your new phone, you can download apps one at a time from the App Store or Google Play Store. You can also use the Manage Apps & Device feature in Google Play Store (Android) to install multiple apps at once without erasing anything.

Will my passwords transfer with my apps?

Passwords stored in the app itself usually transfer with a backup. Passwords stored in your phone's password manager (like iCloud Keychain on iPhone or Google Password Manager on Android) transfer separately through the backup process. You'll need to sign in manually to apps that don't use these systems.

What if I have a paid app that I bought on my old phone?

On the same platform (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android), paid apps transfer with your backup at no extra cost. If you're switching platforms, you'll need to purchase the app again on the new platform, or find a free alternative. Check the new platform's store first — the app may be free there.

How long does it take to transfer all my apps?

Automatic transfer during backup restoration takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Manual app downloads take longer — it depends on how many apps you're installing and whether you do them all at once or over time.