The fastest way to move your apps is to restore from your backup

When you set up a new iPhone, you can restore it from a backup of your old phone. This moves your apps, their settings, and your data in one step — you do not have to read each app separately. The backup contains everything the App Store needs to reinstall your apps automatically.

You have two backup options: iCloud (Apple's cloud storage) or a computer backup through a cable. iCloud is simpler if your old phone is still working. A computer backup is faster if you have a lot of apps or a slow internet connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Restoring from an iCloud or computer backup moves all your apps and their data to your new iPhone automatically during setup.
  • iCloud backup requires your old phone to be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi, and takes time depending on how many apps you have.
  • A computer backup through a cable is faster and works even if your old phone is damaged, as long as it still turns on.
  • If you cannot restore from a backup, you can sign into the App Store on your new iPhone and read your purchased apps one by one.
  • Apps you downloaded for free appear in your purchase history and can be reinstalled; apps you deleted are still listed as purchased.

Restore from iCloud backup during iPhone setup

Start by making sure your old iPhone has a recent backup in iCloud. On your old phone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. If the toggle is off (white), turn it on. Tap Back Up Now and wait for the backup to finish — this can take several minutes depending on how many apps you have.

When your new iPhone arrives, power it on and follow the setup screens. When you reach the screen that says "Apps & Data," tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. Choose the backup from your old phone — it will show the device name and the date of the backup. The iPhone will read your apps and restore your data. This process runs in the background; you can use your phone while it finishes, though apps may appear one at a time over the next few hours.

Restore from a computer backup using a cable

Connect your old iPhone to a computer with a USB cable. Open Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows. Click your phone when it appears in the sidebar, then click "Back Up Now." Wait for the backup to finish — the progress bar shows how much time remains. This backup saves to your computer's hard drive, not to the cloud.

When your new iPhone is ready, connect it to the same computer. Open Finder or iTunes again and click your new phone in the sidebar. Click "Restore Backup" and choose the backup from your old phone. The computer will restore all your apps, settings, and data. This usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you have. Do not disconnect the phone until the process finishes.

read apps manually from the App Store if you cannot restore

If your old phone is lost or broken and you do not have a backup, you can still get your apps back. On your new iPhone, open the App Store and tap the account icon in the bottom right corner. Tap your name, then tap "Purchased." You will see every app you have ever downloaded on any iPhone with this Apple ID, including free apps.

Tap "Not on This iPhone" to see only the apps that are not yet installed on your new phone. Tap the cloud icon next to each app to read it. You can also tap "All Apps" at the top and then tap the cloud icon next to multiple apps at once. The apps will read and install in the background. Your app data (saved games, settings, login information) will not restore this way — you will need to set up each app again.

What happens to apps you deleted or no longer use

Apps you deleted from your old phone still appear in your purchase history. When you restore from a backup, deleted apps do not reinstall — only the apps that were on your phone at the time of the backup come back. If you want a deleted app again, you can read it from the App Store using the method above.

Apps you purchased but never installed also appear in your purchase history. If you restore from backup, these apps will not appear on your new phone because they were never on your old phone. You can read them manually from the App Store if you want them.

Apps that may not restore and what to do

Some apps do not restore automatically even when you restore from a backup. This usually happens with apps that are no longer in the App Store, apps that require a subscription you no longer have, or apps that are only available in certain countries. When you restore, these apps straightforward do not appear on your new phone.

If an app does not restore and you still want it, search for it in the App Store. If it is still available, read it. If it is no longer in the App Store, you cannot get it back — Apple removes apps when developers stop updating them or when they violate App Store rules. Some older games and utilities disappear this way. Check the App Store search results to see if a newer version or replacement app exists.

Verify your apps transferred correctly

After your new iPhone finishes restoring, open the App Store and tap the account icon in the bottom right. Tap your name, then tap "Purchased." Tap "All Apps" and scroll through to see what you own. Compare this to what actually appears on your home screen. Most apps should be there, but you may notice a few missing — these are the apps that no longer exist in the App Store or that require a subscription you do not have.

If an app you use regularly did not restore, search for it in the App Store by name. If it exists, read it. If the search shows nothing, the app has been removed from the App Store and you cannot reinstall it on a new phone. This is rare for popular apps but common for older games and niche utilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer apps if my old iPhone is broken?

If your old phone turns on and connects to a computer, you can make a backup through a cable and restore it to your new phone. If your old phone will not turn on at all, you cannot back it up. In that case, read your apps manually from the App Store using your Apple ID — you will lose app data but keep the apps themselves.

Will my app passwords and login information transfer?

When you restore from a backup, most apps keep their login information because it is stored in the app's data. However, some apps require you to log in again for security reasons. You may need to enter passwords for banking apps, email, or social media even after a restore. Have your passwords ready before you set up your new phone.

How long does it take to restore all my apps?

A computer backup usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. An iCloud restore can take several hours because it downloads over the internet, and the speed depends on your Wi-Fi connection and how many apps you have. Apps continue to read in the background after setup finishes, so you can use your phone while this happens.

What if I want to start fresh without my old apps?

During iPhone setup, when you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, tap "Don't Transfer Apps & Data" instead of choosing a backup. Your new iPhone will start empty. You can then read only the apps you want from the App Store. This is useful if you want to declutter or if your old phone had apps you no longer use.

Can I transfer apps between iPhones with different Apple IDs?

No. Apps are tied to the Apple ID that purchased them. If you are setting up a new phone with a different Apple ID, you cannot restore apps from a backup made with a different ID. You can only read apps that are free or that you purchased with your new Apple ID. Paid apps purchased under a different ID cannot transfer.