The fastest way depends on what phone you're switching to

If you're moving from an iPhone to another iPhone, or from an Android phone to another Android phone, the phone itself can transfer most apps automatically during setup. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to download apps fresh on the new phone because the two systems don't share app libraries. Either way, your login information and saved data usually stay separate from the app transfer — you'll sign back into each app after it arrives on the new phone.

The method you use matters because some apps transfer their data (like game progress or saved preferences) while others don't. Knowing what to expect before you start means you won't lose access to accounts or be surprised by missing settings.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone and Android to Android transfers happen automatically if you use your phone's built-in setup tool, but you must sign into each app separately afterward.
  • Switching between iPhone and Android requires downloading each app fresh from the App Store or Google Play Store, since the two systems don't share apps.
  • Apps transfer, but login credentials and some saved data do not — you'll need your passwords or recovery codes for accounts you use in each app.
  • Some apps store data in the cloud (like email or photos), so that data syncs automatically once you sign in; others store data only on your phone and won't transfer.
  • Before you switch phones, write down which apps you use regularly so you don't forget to download them on the new device.

Transferring apps from iPhone to iPhone

When you set up a new iPhone, Apple offers to restore from a backup or to transfer data directly from your old iPhone. Both methods will move your apps to the new phone. During setup, you'll see the option to "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Transfer Directly from iPhone" — either one will bring your apps along.

After the transfer completes, your apps will be on the new phone, but you'll need to sign into each one. Open an app, look for a "Sign In" or "Log In" button, and enter your username and password. If you've forgotten a password, most apps have a "Forgot Password" link that will send a reset email to the address you used when you created the account. Some apps, particularly banking or investment apps, may ask for additional verification like a code sent to your phone number.

Apps that store data in iCloud — like Mail, Notes, Reminders, and Photos — will sync automatically once you sign into your Apple ID on the new phone. Apps that store data only locally (like games or some note-taking apps) will have the data they transferred, but you may need to sign in to see it.

Transferring apps from Android to Android

When you set up a new Android phone, Google will ask if you want to restore from a previous device or backup. If you say yes and sign into your Google account, the phone will download your apps from Google Play Store automatically. This can take several minutes depending on how many apps you have, so plug in the phone and be patient.

After the apps finish downloading, sign into each one just as you would on an iPhone. Your Google account (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos) will sync automatically, but other apps need you to log in separately. If you use two-factor authentication — a security feature that requires a code from your phone or an authenticator app — you may need to set that up again on the new phone.

Some Android phones come with apps pre-installed by the manufacturer or carrier. These won't transfer from your old phone; they're already on the new one. You can delete any you don't want.

Switching from iPhone to Android

Android and iPhone use different app stores, so your iPhone apps won't automatically appear on an Android phone. You'll need to download them fresh from Google Play Store. The good news is that most popular apps exist on both platforms — if you used Facebook, Spotify, or Gmail on iPhone, they're available on Android under the same name.

Before you switch, take a screenshot or write down the names of the apps you use regularly. Open your iPhone's App Store, tap your profile icon, select "Purchased," and scroll through to remind yourself what you have. Some apps you paid for on iPhone may not be free on Android, though most mainstream apps are free on both platforms.

On your new Android phone, open Google Play Store, search for each app by name, and tap "Install." Sign into each app with the same username and password you used on iPhone. Your data in cloud-based apps (email, cloud storage, social media) will be there once you sign in. Data stored only on your iPhone — like game progress in apps that don't use cloud save — will not transfer.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Moving from Android to iPhone is similar: your Android apps won't automatically appear on iPhone because they're in different stores. You'll download them fresh from Apple's App Store. Most apps that exist on Android also exist on iPhone, often under the same name.

Before you switch, open Google Play Store on your Android phone, tap your profile icon, select "Manage apps & device," and go to the "Manage" tab to see everything you've installed. Take screenshots or write down the names of apps you use regularly. On your new iPhone, open the App Store, search for each app, and tap "Get" to download it.

Sign into each app with your existing username and password. Cloud-based data (email, photos, documents) will sync once you're signed in. Data stored only on your Android phone won't transfer, so if a game or app doesn't use cloud save, you'll start fresh on iPhone.

What to do if an app doesn't transfer or won't install

Sometimes an app won't transfer because it's no longer available in the app store, or because it's not compatible with your new phone's operating system or version. If an app you need isn't showing up in the store, search for it by name first — it might be listed under a slightly different name or by a different developer.

If the app exists but won't install, check your phone's operating system version. Open Settings, look for "About Phone" or "About," and note the version number. Then search online for the app name plus "system requirements" to see if your phone is new enough to run it. If your phone is too old, you may not be able to use that app, and you'll need to find an alternative.

For apps you paid for on one platform, check whether they're free on the other. Some developers charge for apps on iPhone but offer them free on Android, or vice versa. If you paid for an app on iPhone and it costs money on Android, you'll need to pay again — app purchases don't transfer between platforms.

Backing up before you switch phones

Before you move to a new phone, make sure your old phone is backed up. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, select "iCloud," and check that "iCloud Backup" is on. On Android, open Settings, search for "Backup," and make sure backup is enabled for your Google account. This ensures that if something goes wrong during the transfer, your data is safe.

If you're switching platforms (iPhone to Android or vice versa), also manually back up any data you care about. Take screenshots of important information, export contacts if you have a list outside your phone's address book, and download any documents or photos you've stored in apps. This gives you a safety net if an app doesn't transfer the way you expect.

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) will transfer if you use the same account on the new phone. Passwords saved within individual apps do not transfer — you'll need to sign in again. If you've forgotten a password, use the "Forgot Password" link in the app to reset it.

What happens to my text messages and photos when I switch phones?

Text messages transfer if you use the phone's built-in backup (iCloud on iPhone, Google Backup on Android) and restore from that backup on the new phone. Photos transfer the same way. If you're switching platforms, text messages won't transfer, but you can export them before switching. Photos in cloud storage (iCloud Photos, Google Photos) will sync once you sign in on the new phone.

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

No. Deleting apps from your old phone doesn't affect the transfer to your new phone. You can leave them on the old phone or delete them — it makes no difference to what appears on the new device. You can delete apps from the old phone after you've confirmed everything works on the new one.

Will my app settings and preferences transfer?

Settings and preferences transfer only if the app stores them in the cloud or in your phone's backup. Apps that store settings locally on your phone will transfer the settings if you use your phone's backup tool, but if you're switching platforms, you'll need to reconfigure settings manually. Most apps let you export settings or save them to an account, so check the app's settings menu before you switch.

Can I transfer apps to my new phone before I get it?

No. You need the new phone in your hands to download or transfer apps to it. You can prepare by writing down which apps you use and making sure you know your passwords, but the actual transfer happens only when you set up the new device.