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 will walk you through restoring your apps during setup. You won't transfer them manually — the new phone downloads them from Apple's App Store or Google Play Store using the same account you used on your old phone. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, or if automatic restore doesn't work, you'll need to read each app again on the new phone and sign back into your accounts.
The real work isn't moving the apps — it's making sure your data inside those apps comes with you. An app is just the program. Your photos in Instagram, your messages in WhatsApp, your saved games, your login information — that's data, and it lives separately. Moving the app without the data means you'll have a blank version of the program on your new phone.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android: sign into the same account during setup and the phone will read your apps automatically.
- Switching between iPhone and Android: you'll read apps again manually, but your data moves through each app's own backup system (iCloud for iPhone, Google Account for Android).
- Before you switch phones, sign out of apps that don't use cloud backup, take screenshots of settings you've customized, and write down any login information you've forgotten.
- Most apps store your data in the cloud automatically — check each app's settings to confirm backup is turned on before you switch.
- Some apps (games, banking apps, fitness trackers) may require you to link them to an online account or manually export data before you can restore it on a new phone.
iPhone to iPhone: let the setup process restore your apps
When you turn on a new iPhone, it asks whether you want to restore from a backup. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from Mac" if you have a computer. The phone will read all your apps from the App Store automatically — you don't pick and choose. This works because your Apple ID is tied to every app you've ever bought or downloaded for free, and Apple keeps a record of it.
The backup also restores your app data: your email inbox in Mail, your photos in Photos, your saved passwords. This happens in the background over the next few hours, so don't unplug the phone or turn it off. If you're on WiFi and plugged in, it moves faster.
If you don't have a backup, or if you want to start fresh, you can skip this step. Then you'll read apps one at a time from the App Store. Your data won't come with you unless the app itself has a backup feature — most do, but you have to turn it on in settings first.
Android to Android: sign into your Google Account during setup
When you turn on a new Android phone, it asks for your Google Account. Sign in with the same account you used on your old phone. The phone will then read all your apps from Google Play Store automatically, just like iPhone does. This includes apps you bought and apps you downloaded for free.
Your app data comes through Google's backup system, which most Android apps use by default. Your Gmail, your Google Photos, your contacts — these sync automatically. Other apps like WhatsApp, Spotify, or banking apps have their own backup systems, and they restore your data if you sign back into your account on the new phone.
If you have multiple Google Accounts, only the first one you sign in with will restore apps. If you used a different account on your old phone, you'll need to read those apps again manually.
iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone: read apps again and sign in
Switching between operating systems means the apps themselves don't transfer — iPhone apps only work on iPhones, and Android apps only work on Android phones. You'll read each app again from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). The good news is that most of your data comes with you through the app's own account system.
Before you switch, make a list of the apps you use regularly. Take a photo of your home screen or write down the names. When you get your new phone, read each app and sign in with the same username and password you used before. Most apps will recognize your account and restore your data automatically — your messages, your photos, your settings.
Some apps don't sync data this way. Games often store progress on your device only, not in the cloud. Banking apps may require you to set up security again. Fitness trackers might need you to export your data from the old phone first. Check each app's settings on your old phone before you switch — look for a "backup," "export," or "account" option.
Apps that need extra steps before you switch phones
Most apps handle the move smoothly, but a few categories need you to do something first. Games that don't connect to an online account (like many puzzle games) won't transfer your progress — the data lives only on your phone. If the game has a "sign in with Facebook" or "sign in with Google" option, use it before you switch. Then read the game on your new phone and sign in the same way.
Banking apps and investment apps usually require you to log in again on a new phone for security reasons. You won't lose your data — your bank has it — but you'll need your username and password. Write these down before you switch, or use your password manager to look them up.
Fitness trackers like Fitbit or Apple Watch sync to your phone through a companion app. The app data transfers when you sign in, but the watch itself needs to be unpaired from your old phone and paired with your new one. Do this through the app's settings before you hand off the old phone.
What to do before you hand off your old phone
Before you switch, spend 15 minutes preparing. Open each app you use regularly and check its settings for a backup or account option. Turn on any backup features you find — most are already on, but it's worth confirming. Take screenshots of any custom settings you've made, like notification preferences or home screen layout, so you can recreate them on your new phone if you want to.
Write down or screenshot any login information you've forgotten. If you use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, make sure you can access it on your new phone — usually by downloading the app and signing in. If you use your phone's built-in password manager (iCloud Keychain on iPhone, Google Password Manager on Android), it will transfer automatically when you sign in on the new phone.
Sign out of any apps that store sensitive data locally, like banking apps or password managers. This prevents someone from accessing your old phone if you sell it or give it away. Then do a factory reset on your old phone to wipe everything.
Troubleshooting: apps that won't restore or data that's missing
If an app downloads but your data doesn't appear, the most common reason is that you signed in with a different account. Open the app and check which account is logged in. If it's not the one you used before, sign out and sign in with the correct account. Wait a few minutes — data sometimes takes time to sync.
If you're switching between iPhone and Android and an app isn't available on the new platform, look for an alternative. Most major apps exist on both systems, but some don't. Search the App Store or Google Play Store for the app name, or ask in the app's support community whether they recommend a replacement.
If you can't remember your password for an app, use the "forgot password" option in the app itself or on the app maker's website. You'll usually get a reset link sent to your email. Do this on your old phone before you switch, so you're ready to sign in on the new phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my photos and messages if I don't back up before switching phones?
Photos and messages depend on where they're stored. If they're in an app like WhatsApp or Telegram, they're usually backed up to the cloud automatically — sign into the same account on your new phone and they'll appear. If they're in your phone's camera roll or default messaging app, they'll transfer through your phone's backup system (iCloud for iPhone, Google Account for Android) if you restore from backup during setup.
Can I transfer apps from someone else's phone to mine?
No. Apps are tied to the account that downloaded them. You can only read apps using your own Apple ID or Google Account. If someone else paid for an app, you'll need to buy it yourself or read the free version if one exists.
What if my new phone is a different brand than my old one?
read each app again from the new phone's app store and sign in with your account. Your data will restore through the app's own backup system. This takes longer than a same-brand switch, but most of your data comes with you.
Do I need to delete apps from my old phone before I switch?
No, but you should before you sell or give away the old phone. Do a factory reset to wipe everything, including apps and data. This removes any personal information and makes the phone safe to hand off.
Why does one app have my data but another one doesn't?
Each app has its own backup system. Some apps back up to the cloud automatically, others only back up if you turn it on in settings, and some don't back up at all. Check the app's settings or help section to see whether backup is available and whether it's turned on.