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, your apps transfer automatically when you sign in with your existing account. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to read each app again from the new phone's app store, because the two systems don't share app libraries. The process takes minutes for same-system transfers and a few hours for cross-system switches, depending on how many apps you have.
Your app data — login information, game progress, settings — transfers with the apps on same-system switches, though some apps may ask you to sign in again for security. On cross-system switches, you'll need to sign in to each app manually, but most apps that store data in the cloud will restore your information once you do.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone to iPhone transfers happen automatically through iCloud when you sign in with your Apple ID during setup.
- Android to Android transfers happen automatically through your Google account when you sign in during setup.
- Switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone requires downloading each app individually from the new phone's app store.
- Your app data transfers with the apps on same-system switches, but you may need to sign in again on some apps for security.
- Some apps may not be available in all app stores, so check before you switch if you rely on a specific app.
iPhone to iPhone: automatic transfer through iCloud
When you set up a new iPhone, you'll see an option to restore from an iCloud backup or sign in with your Apple ID. Choose the iCloud backup option if you have one from your old phone, or sign in with your Apple ID if you don't. Your apps will read automatically in the background over the next few hours, even while you're using the phone.
If you've already set up your new iPhone without restoring from backup, you can still get your apps back. Go to the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, scroll down to "Purchased", and tap "My Purchases". You'll see all apps you've ever downloaded with that Apple ID. Tap the cloud icon next to any app to read it again. Your app data usually comes back with the apps — your login information, game progress, and settings transfer automatically. Some apps may ask you to sign in again the first time you open them, which is normal.
Android to Android: automatic transfer through your Google account
During setup of your new Android phone, you'll be asked to sign in with your Google account. This is the same account you used on your old phone. When you sign in, Android automatically downloads all the apps you had installed on your previous phone. The read happens in the background and can take several hours depending on how many apps you have.
If you've already finished setting up your new Android phone, you can manually read your apps. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, go to "Manage my apps and device", then tap the "Manage" tab. You'll see a list of all apps associated with your Google account. Tap "Install" next to any app you want on your new phone. Your app data transfers with the apps — login information and settings come back automatically. Some apps may ask you to sign in again when you first open them.
Switching from iPhone to Android
There is no automatic transfer from iPhone to Android because the two systems use different app stores and app formats. You'll need to read each app individually on your new Android phone. Before you switch, make a list of the apps you use most, because not every iPhone app has an Android version.
On your new Android phone, open the Google Play Store and search for each app by name. Tap "Install" to read it. Most apps are free to read, but some charge a fee — if you paid for an app on iPhone, you may need to pay again on Android, though some developers offer discounts for existing users. Your app data doesn't transfer automatically. When you open each app for the first time, you'll need to sign in with your username and password. Some apps (like email clients and messaging apps) will ask you to reconnect your accounts. Games and productivity apps usually save your data to their own servers, so your progress and settings come back once you sign in.
Switching from Android to iPhone
Like switching to Android, moving from Android to iPhone requires downloading each app individually because the App Store and Google Play Store are separate. Make a list of your most-used apps before you switch, and check whether they're available on iPhone — some Android apps don't have iOS versions.
During iPhone setup, you'll have the option to transfer data from your Android phone using the "Move from Android" tool. This transfers contacts, calendar events, and photos, but not apps. After setup is complete, open the App Store and search for each app you want. Tap the cloud icon to read it. You'll need to sign in to each app with your username and password. Apps that store data on their own servers (email, messaging, games, productivity tools) will restore your data once you sign in. Apps that only store data locally on your phone won't have your old data available.
What happens to your app data during transfer
When you transfer apps on the same system (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android), most of your app data comes with them. This includes login information, saved preferences, and data stored in the cloud. However, some apps store data only on the phone itself, and that data won't transfer — you may need to set up those apps again from scratch.
When you switch between systems (iPhone to Android or vice versa), app data doesn't transfer automatically. Apps that use cloud storage (most email, messaging, and productivity apps) will restore your data when you sign in. Apps that store everything locally on the phone won't have your old data, and you'll start fresh. To protect your data before switching phones, sign in to your accounts in each app and make sure your data is synced to the cloud. For games and productivity apps, check the app's settings for a "backup" or "cloud save" option and turn it on if available.
Apps that may not transfer or may not exist on your new system
Some apps are exclusive to iPhone or Android and don't have versions on the other system. Banking apps, regional apps, and niche productivity tools are most likely to be missing. Before you switch phones, check the app store for your new system to see if the apps you rely on are available there.
A few apps may not transfer even within the same system. This usually happens when an app has been removed from the app store (the developer stopped supporting it) or when your account doesn't have permission to read it (some apps are region-locked or require a subscription). If an app won't read on your new phone, check the app store to see if it's still available, or contact the app's developer to ask about alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to delete apps from my old phone before transferring them?
No. Deleting apps from your old phone doesn't affect whether they transfer to your new phone. Your app library is tied to your Apple ID or Google account, not to the physical phone. You can delete apps from your old phone whenever you're ready.
Will I lose my passwords and login information when I transfer apps?
On same-system transfers (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android), most apps keep you signed in automatically. Some apps may ask you to sign in again for security reasons, but your password is usually saved in your phone's password manager. On cross-system transfers, you'll need to sign in to each app manually.
How long does it take for all my apps to read on a new phone?
It depends on how many apps you have and your internet speed. A phone with 50 apps might take 30 minutes to an hour on a fast WiFi connection. A phone with 200 apps could take several hours. Apps read in the background, so you can use your phone while they're downloading.
Can I transfer apps if I don't remember my Apple ID or Google account password?
You'll need to reset your password before you can sign in on the new phone. For Apple ID, go to iforgot.apple.com. For Google, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Once you reset your password, you can sign in on your new phone and your apps will read.
What if an app I need isn't available in the app store for my new phone?
Check the app store for your new system to confirm it's not available. If it's truly not available, look for an alternative app that does the same thing. You can also contact the app's developer to ask if they plan to release a version for your new phone system.