The fastest way depends on whether you're switching to the same type of phone or a different one
If you're moving to a phone made by the same company — iPhone to iPhone, or Android to Android — you can transfer most apps automatically during setup. The phone will walk you through signing into your account and downloading everything you had before. If you're switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone, you'll need to download apps one at a time from the new phone's app store, because the two systems don't share app libraries.
Either way, your app data (login information, game progress, photos saved in the app) usually transfers separately from the app itself. Some apps sync this data automatically if you're signed in with the same account. Others require you to back up the data before you switch phones, then restore it after you download the app on the new phone.
The process takes longer than it sounds because you'll need to sign into each app individually, and some apps won't transfer at all — older or less common apps sometimes disappear from app stores or stop working on newer phone systems.
Key Takeaways
- Switching between phones made by the same company (iPhone to iPhone, Android to Android) transfers most apps automatically during setup by signing into your account.
- Switching between iPhone and Android requires downloading each app individually from the new phone's app store, since the two systems don't share libraries.
- App data like login information and saved progress transfers separately and may require you to back up before switching and restore after downloading the app.
- Some apps won't transfer because they've been removed from app stores or no longer work on newer phone systems.
- You'll need to sign into each app with your username and password after transfer, even if the app itself moved automatically.
Transferring apps when staying with the same phone system
When you buy a new iPhone and sign into your Apple account during setup, the phone offers to download all the apps you had on your old iPhone. Select "Restore from iCloud" or "Restore from Mac" if you have a backup, or choose "Set Up as New iPhone" and then go to the App Store to download apps manually. If you choose the restore option, most apps download automatically in the background over the next few hours.
For Android phones, the process is similar but varies slightly by manufacturer. During setup, sign into your Google account. Android will show you a list of apps you've installed on previous Android phones and ask which ones you want to download. Select the apps you want, and they'll download automatically. If you don't see the restore prompt, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to "Manage my apps & games," then "Manage," and you'll see an "Install" button next to apps you've owned before.
In both cases, the phone downloads the current version of each app from the app store, not the exact version you had before. This usually doesn't matter, but occasionally an older app version worked better on your old phone and the new version has bugs. You can't install an older version unless the app developer made it available, which is rare.
Transferring apps when switching from iPhone to Android
There's no automatic transfer when moving from iPhone to Android. You'll need to download each app individually from the Google Play Store on your new Android phone. The easiest approach is to make a list of your iPhone apps before you switch, then download them one by one on the Android phone.
To create that list, open the App Store on your iPhone, tap your profile icon in the top right, and go to "Purchased." This shows every app you've ever downloaded on that Apple account. Take screenshots or write down the names of the apps you actually use — you don't need to transfer apps you haven't opened in months. Then open the Google Play Store on your new Android phone and search for each app by name.
Many popular apps exist on both systems, but some don't. If an app you need isn't in the Google Play Store, search online for "app name Android alternative" to find a similar app that does work on Android. Some paid apps cost money on one system but are free on the other, so check the price before downloading.
Transferring apps when switching from Android to iPhone
Like switching to Android, moving from Android to iPhone requires downloading apps individually from the Apple App Store. Before you switch, open Google Play Store on your Android phone, tap your profile icon, go to "Manage my apps & games," and take screenshots of the apps you use regularly. Then on your new iPhone, open the App Store and search for each app by name.
Some Android apps don't have iPhone versions, particularly older or specialized apps. If you can't find an app in the App Store, search online for alternatives designed for iPhone. Keep in mind that paid apps on Android may cost different amounts on iPhone, or may be free on one system and paid on the other.
If you had a paid app on Android and want to use it on iPhone, you'll usually need to buy it again. Some developers offer discounts or free versions on the other system, but this isn't may provide. Check the app's description in the App Store to see if the developer mentions a discount code or free version for people switching from Android.
Restoring app data and login information
After you download an app on your new phone, you'll need to sign in again with your username and password. Some apps automatically sync your data — your saved games, photos, or preferences — if you sign in with the same account you used on your old phone. Other apps require you to manually back up your data before switching phones, then restore it after you download the app.
Check the app's settings on your old phone before you switch. Look for a "Backup," "Export," or "Settings" option that lets you save your data. Some apps back up to the cloud automatically if you're signed in; others let you download a file to your computer. If the app has a backup option, use it before you get rid of your old phone.
After you download the app on your new phone and sign in, look for a "Restore" or "Import" option in the app's settings. If the app backed up your data to the cloud, it may restore automatically. If you downloaded a backup file, you may need to email it to yourself, download it on your new phone, and then import it through the app.
Apps that won't transfer or don't work on your new phone
Some apps disappear from app stores and can't be downloaded on a new phone, even if you owned them before. This happens when developers stop supporting an app, when an app violates the app store's rules, or when the app is too old to work on current phone systems. If an app you need isn't in the app store, search online for the app name plus "discontinued" or "alternative" to find out what happened and what similar apps are available.
Occasionally an app downloads and installs but won't open on your new phone because it's not compatible with the newer phone system. This usually means the app is old and the developer hasn't updated it. Check the app's page in the app store — it will say "Requires iOS 15 or later" or similar. If your new phone has a newer system than the app supports, you can't use that app on the new phone. Look for an updated version or a different app that does the same thing.
If you're switching phone systems (iPhone to Android or vice versa), some apps simply don't exist on the other system. This is most common with specialized or older apps. Search the app store on your new phone for the app name, and if it doesn't appear, search online for "app name alternative for [iPhone/Android]" to find a similar app.
Organizing your apps after transfer
After your apps transfer, spend a few minutes organizing them so you can find what you need. Delete apps you don't use — they take up storage space and can slow down your phone. Most phones let you delete an app by pressing and holding its icon, then selecting "Remove" or "Delete."
Arrange your most-used apps on your home screen where you can reach them easily. On iPhone, press and hold an app icon and drag it to a new location. On Android, do the same thing. You can also create folders to group similar apps — for example, a folder for social media apps or a folder for banking apps. Press and hold an app, then drag it onto another app to create a folder, or look for a "Create Folder" option.
Check your phone's storage after transfer. Go to Settings and look for "Storage" or "Storage and iCloud" on iPhone, or "Storage" on Android. If you're running low on space, delete apps you rarely use or clear out old photos and videos. Apps take up less space than photos, but deleting unused apps is usually the fastest way to free up room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my passwords transfer to the new phone?
Passwords stored in your phone's password manager (iCloud Keychain on iPhone, Google Password Manager on Android) usually transfer automatically if you sign into your account during setup. Passwords saved inside individual apps don't transfer — you'll need to sign in to each app again. If you use a third-party password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, download the app on your new phone and sign in to access your passwords.
Can I transfer apps before I get my new phone?
No, you need the new phone to download apps to it. What you can do is make a list of your apps on your old phone before you switch, so you know what to download. Take screenshots of your home screen and your app folders, or write down the names of apps you use regularly. This makes the transfer faster because you won't have to search for app names on your new phone.
What if an app costs money on one phone system but is free on the other?
You'll need to buy it again if you want the paid version on your new phone. Some developers offer the app for free on one system and charge on the other. Check the app's description in the app store on your new phone to see the price before downloading. If you paid for an app on your old phone, you won't get a refund when you switch systems.
How long does it take to transfer all my apps?
Automatic transfer on the same phone system (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android) can take a few hours because apps download in the background. Manual transfer when switching systems takes longer because you download each app individually — this can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Sign into each app as it downloads so you're ready to use it right away.
Will my app settings transfer to the new phone?
Settings saved inside an app usually transfer if you sign in with the same account, but this depends on the app. Some apps store settings in the cloud automatically; others only save settings on your phone. Before you switch phones, check each app's settings for a "Backup," "Cloud Sync," or "Export" option. After you download the app on your new phone and sign in, look for a "Restore" option to bring back your settings.