You cannot copy apps directly between iPhones, but you can transfer them through your Apple ID
When you move to a new iPhone, your apps do not transfer by moving a file from one phone to the other. Instead, Apple stores a record of which apps you own under your Apple ID. When you sign into that same Apple ID on a new iPhone, the App Store remembers your purchases and lets you read those apps again at no cost. This is the only way to move apps between iPhones.
The process works the same whether you are moving from an older iPhone to a newer model or switching between two phones of any generation. Your apps, their settings, and your account data all travel together through your Apple ID — you do not have to do anything manually for each one.
Key Takeaways
- Apps transfer to a new iPhone automatically when you sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone.
- You must have the same Apple ID on both phones; if you do not, you can change the Apple ID on the new phone before downloading apps.
- Downloaded apps appear in the App Store under the Purchased tab, where you can read them again without paying.
- Apps you deleted from your old iPhone will still show as purchased and can be downloaded again on the new phone.
- Some apps may not be available in your current country or may have been removed from the App Store since you bought them.
Set up your new iPhone with the same Apple ID
When you first turn on a new iPhone, you will see a screen asking you to sign in with an Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID you used on your old iPhone. This is the fastest way to get your apps back — the phone will automatically read them in the background while you set up other features.
If you already set up the new iPhone with a different Apple ID, you can change it. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down and tap Sign Out, then sign in with your correct Apple ID. The phone will then begin downloading your apps.
Make sure you know your Apple ID email address and password before you start. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on Apple's website using your email address and a recovery method (usually a phone number or backup email).
read your apps from the Purchased tab
If your apps did not read automatically, or if you want to read a specific app you own, open the App Store and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap Purchased, then tap Not on This iPhone to see all the apps you own that are not currently installed.
Find the app you want and tap the cloud icon next to it. The app will begin downloading. You can read multiple apps at once — just tap the cloud icon for each one. The downloads will happen in the background, and you can use your phone while they install.
If an app shows a price instead of a cloud icon, it means you do not own it under this Apple ID. This happens when you bought the app under a different Apple ID or when someone else on a family plan bought it and did not share it with you.
Understand what transfers and what does not
When you read an app to your new iPhone, the app itself transfers, but not all of its data. Most apps store their settings and account information on their own servers — when you sign into the app with your username and password, your data comes back. Games, note-taking apps, and messaging apps all work this way.
Some apps store data only on your phone. If an app has never synced to the cloud, that data stays on your old iPhone. Before you switch phones, open apps you use frequently and check their settings for a backup or sync option. Many apps have a menu item like "Back Up My Data" or "Export" that lets you save your information before you move.
App screenshots, documents you created inside an app, and files you downloaded through an app may not transfer. If these matter to you, save them to iCloud, email them to yourself, or use the app's own export feature before you switch phones.
Handle apps that are no longer available
Occasionally an app you own will no longer appear in the App Store. This happens when a developer stops supporting an app, removes it for legal reasons, or stops paying Apple's fees. If you owned the app before it was removed, you can still read it — but only if your iPhone is running an older version of iOS that the app supported.
When you tap the cloud icon for a removed app, you will see a message saying the app requires an older iOS version. You cannot read it to a newer iPhone. This is a limitation of Apple's system, not something you can work around. If you need that app, you would have to keep using your old iPhone or find a replacement app that is still available.
Apps that are region-locked — available only in certain countries — will not read if you are in a different region than when you bought them. If you travel or move, you may lose access to these apps on a new phone.
Transfer apps through iCloud backup
If you want to move apps along with all their settings and data, use iCloud backup instead of downloading apps individually. Before you switch phones, open Settings on your old iPhone, tap your name, then tap iCloud. Make sure Backup is turned on and tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — it can take several minutes depending on how many apps and files you have.
When you set up your new iPhone, you will see a screen asking whether you want to restore from an iCloud backup. Choose your most recent backup. The new phone will read all your apps and restore them exactly as they were on your old phone, including their settings and data.
This method is slower than signing in with your Apple ID alone, because the phone has to read every app and restore every setting. But it is the only way to move app data that is stored only on your phone. If you have time before switching, this is usually the best option.
What to do if apps will not read
If an app keeps failing to read, first check that you have a strong Wi-Fi connection. Apps larger than 200 MB will not read over cellular data — you must use Wi-Fi. If you are on Wi-Fi and the read still fails, try restarting your iPhone. Hold the power button until you see the power-off slider, slide it, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn the phone back on.
If the app still will not read, open Settings, tap App Store, and make sure Automatic Downloads is turned on for apps. You can also try signing out of your Apple ID in Settings and signing back in. Sometimes this refreshes your account and fixes read problems.
If a specific app consistently fails, the problem may be with that app rather than your phone. Check the App Store reviews to see if other people are reporting the same issue. You can also try deleting the app if it is already on your phone, restarting your iPhone, and downloading it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy apps from someone else's iPhone to mine?
No. Apps are tied to the Apple ID that bought them. You can only read apps you own under your own Apple ID. If someone else bought an app and wants you to have it, they can share it with you through Family Sharing, which requires setting up a family group in Settings.
What happens to my app passwords and logins when I switch iPhones?
Passwords stored in the app itself stay with the app when you read it, but only if the app uses iCloud Keychain to sync them. Most apps require you to sign in again with your username and password. Check the app's settings after you read it to see if you need to log in again.
Can I read apps I bought years ago if I no longer have the receipt?
Yes. As long as you bought the app under your current Apple ID, it stays in your Purchased list forever. You can read it again at any time without a receipt. If you bought it under a different Apple ID, you would need to sign in with that Apple ID to read it.
Why does an app show as purchased but will not read to my new iPhone?
The app was likely removed from the App Store or requires an older iOS version than your new iPhone runs. You can see which iOS version the app needs by looking at the app's page in the App Store. If your iPhone is newer, the app will not work on it.
Do I lose my apps if I do not sign in with the same Apple ID on my new phone?
You do not lose the apps you own, but you will not see them on your new phone until you sign in with the correct Apple ID. Once you sign in, they will appear in your Purchased list and you can read them. You can change your Apple ID in Settings at any time.