Apps don't automatically transfer unless you use the right setup method
When you set up a new iPhone, your apps only move over if you restore from a backup or sign into your Apple ID during setup. If you skipped those steps or set up as a new device, your apps stay behind on the old phone. The apps themselves are tied to your Apple ID account, not to the phone hardware, so they're still yours—you just have to tell your new phone where to find them.
The most common reason apps go missing is setting up as a new iPhone instead of restoring from backup. This happens when you choose "Set Up as New iPhone" during the initial setup screens, or when you restore from a backup that was made before you installed those apps. The second most common reason is that some apps straightforward aren't available in your country's App Store, or they were removed from the App Store entirely since you last used them.
Key Takeaways
- Apps transfer automatically only if you restore from an iCloud or iTunes backup during setup, or if you sign into your Apple ID and let the phone read them from the cloud.
- If you set up your new iPhone as a new device, your apps won't transfer—but you can still read them again from the App Store using the same Apple ID.
- Paid apps you bought stay in your purchase history and can be downloaded again at no cost, but free apps with in-app purchases may not restore your progress unless the app developer built that feature in.
- Some apps disappear because they were removed from the App Store, your country's App Store doesn't carry them, or the developer stopped supporting them.
- You can see which apps you owned by opening the App Store, tapping your profile picture, and checking your purchase history under "My Purchases."
How to restore apps from your purchase history
Open the App Store on your new iPhone and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Purchased" and then "My Purchases." You'll see a list of every app you've ever bought or downloaded for free using that Apple ID. Apps with a cloud icon next to them can be downloaded again; apps with a price or "Get" button are ones you haven't downloaded on this device yet.
Tap the cloud icon or "Get" button next to each app you want back. The app will read and install automatically. This works for both paid apps (which you won't be charged for again) and free apps you previously downloaded. The process can take a while if you have many apps, so plug in your phone and connect to Wi-Fi.
If you're looking for a specific app and can't find it in your purchase history, search for it by name in the App Store. If it appears, you can read it. If it doesn't appear, the app has likely been removed from the App Store or isn't available in your region's App Store.
Why some apps don't come back even when you read them
Downloaded doesn't always mean restored. Free apps with in-app purchases—like games with saved levels or photo editors with custom filters—won't automatically restore your progress unless the developer built a cloud sync feature. You'll get the app back, but your data stays on the old phone unless you manually backed it up or the app saved it to the developer's servers.
Some apps require you to sign back in with your account credentials. Banking apps, email clients, and social media apps will read but won't show your data until you enter your username and password. This is actually a security feature: it prevents someone who finds your phone from accessing your accounts.
Apps that rely on local storage—like voice memos, notes, or photos stored inside the app rather than in your Photos library—won't transfer unless you backed them up separately. If an app stored data only on your old phone's storage, that data is still on the old phone.
Apps that disappeared from the App Store
Some apps vanish from the App Store entirely. This happens when a developer stops maintaining an app, when Apple removes it for security reasons, or when licensing agreements expire. If an app you used is no longer in the App Store, you won't be able to read it on your new phone, even if you paid for it.
You can still use the app on your old iPhone if it's still installed there. But once you delete it, or once your old phone stops receiving iOS updates, the app may stop working. There's no way to get it back unless the developer republishes it under a new name or the original developer restores it to the App Store.
If you paid for an app that was later removed, you can contact Apple Support to request a refund. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, find the app, and tap "Report a Problem." Explain that the app is no longer available and ask for a refund.
Region-specific apps and country App Stores
Some apps are only available in certain countries' App Stores. If you move to a different country or change your Apple ID region, apps that were available in your old region may not appear in your new one. This is usually because of licensing, local laws, or developer choice.
If you travel or move, you can change your App Store region in Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Country/Region. Changing your region may affect which apps you can read and which payment methods you can use. If you change regions, your old region's apps may disappear from your device, though they'll still be in your purchase history if you switch back.
How to prevent this on your next phone upgrade
During setup of your next new iPhone, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from Mac/PC" instead of "Set Up as New iPhone." This copies your apps, settings, and data all at once. If you've already set up as new, you can still restore a backup later by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then setting up again and choosing restore.
Keep your old phone until you've confirmed all your apps and data are on the new one. This gives you a safety net if something didn't transfer. You can also take a screenshot of your home screen layout on the old phone so you can recreate it on the new one if you want the same arrangement.
If you use iCloud+ (the paid tier), enable iCloud Backup in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. This backs up your apps, settings, photos, and messages automatically every night when your phone is plugged in and on Wi-Fi. When you set up a new phone, you can restore from that backup and get everything back in one step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my paid apps back for free if I set up my new iPhone as new?
Yes. Paid apps stay in your purchase history tied to your Apple ID. You can read them again at no cost by opening the App Store, tapping your profile, selecting "Purchased," and tapping the cloud icon next to each app. You'll never be charged twice for the same app.
Why did my game progress disappear even though I downloaded the app again?
Game progress is stored on your phone's storage, not in the app itself, unless the developer built a cloud save feature. If the game doesn't sync to the developer's servers or to iCloud, the progress stays on your old phone. Check the game's settings to see if there's a cloud save or account sync option you can enable.
What if an app I paid for is no longer in the App Store?
You can't read it on a new device, but you can still use it on your old phone if it's installed. To request a refund, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Purchase History, find the app, tap "Report a Problem," and explain that it's no longer available.
Do I need to restore from backup, or can I just read apps again manually?
You can do either. Restoring from backup is faster and gets everything back at once, including settings and data. Downloading manually takes longer but gives you control over which apps you actually want on the new phone. Many people restore from backup and then delete apps they no longer use.
Will my app subscriptions transfer to my new iPhone?
Yes, if they're tied to your Apple ID. Subscriptions like Spotify Premium, Adobe Creative Cloud, or app-specific subscriptions will work on your new phone as long as you sign in with the same Apple ID. You won't be charged twice, and you won't lose your subscription status.