The fastest way to move all your apps at once
The easiest method is to sign in with your Apple ID on the new iPhone during setup. When you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and select your most recent backup. This copies your apps, their settings, and your data in one step — no manual moving required.
If you do not have a recent backup, you can create one before you switch phones. Open Settings on your current iPhone, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Tap "Back Up Now" and wait for the process to finish. This usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how many apps and files you have.
The backup method works best if you are switching to a new iPhone of similar size or larger. If you are moving to a smaller screen, some apps may need to be repositioned after the restore completes.
Key Takeaways
- Restoring from an iCloud backup during setup moves all your apps, their settings, and your data at once without manual work.
- You can create a backup before switching phones by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
- Moving apps one at a time through the App Store is slower but works if you only want specific apps on your new phone.
- Apps that require login information will ask for your password after they transfer, so have those credentials ready.
- Some apps tied to your device (like banking apps with security features) may need to be reinstalled fresh rather than restored from backup.
Moving individual apps through the App Store
If you do not want to restore a full backup, or if you only need certain apps on your new phone, you can read them one at a time from the App Store. Open the App Store on your new iPhone, tap the profile icon in the top right corner, and scroll down to "Purchased." This shows every app you have ever bought or downloaded with your Apple ID.
Find the app you want and tap the cloud icon next to it. The app downloads and installs automatically. Your Apple ID is what the App Store uses to recognize which apps belong to you, so make sure you are signed in with the same account you used on your old phone.
This method takes longer than a backup restore, but it gives you control over which apps move and which ones stay behind. It is useful if you are cleaning up and do not want to keep every app from your old phone.
What happens to app data and login information
When you restore from a backup, most apps keep their saved data — your game progress, your email inbox, your notes, your photos within the app. The app remembers where you left off because the backup includes that information.
Login credentials are handled differently depending on the app. Apps that store passwords in iCloud Keychain (Apple's password manager) will sign you in automatically on the new phone. Apps that store passwords only within themselves will ask you to log in again when you first open them. Have your usernames and passwords ready, or use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden to look them up quickly.
Some apps — particularly banking apps, investment apps, and apps with two-factor authentication — may require you to verify your identity or re-authenticate on the new device for security reasons. This is intentional: the app is checking that the new phone is actually yours before it grants access to sensitive information.
When to reinstall an app fresh instead of restoring it
Most apps transfer smoothly, but a few categories benefit from a clean install on your new phone. Banking apps, payment apps like Venmo or PayPal, and apps that manage sensitive data sometimes work better when you read them fresh from the App Store rather than restore them from backup. These apps often have security checks that flag a restored version as unusual.
If an app crashes repeatedly after you restore it, try deleting it and downloading it again from the App Store. Sometimes the restored version has a conflict with your new phone's operating system, and a fresh install fixes it.
To reinstall an app, press and hold its icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App," then tap "Remove from Home Screen" or "Delete App." If you choose "Delete App," confirm that you want to delete it. Then go to the App Store, search for the app by name, and tap the cloud icon to read it again.
Transferring apps when you cannot use iCloud
If you do not have enough iCloud storage for a full backup, you have two options. The first is to buy more iCloud storage temporarily — 50 GB costs about $0.99 per month, enough for most backups. You can cancel the subscription after the transfer is complete.
The second option is to move apps individually through the App Store without using a backup at all. This takes longer but costs nothing. Open the App Store on your new phone, go to Purchased, and read each app you want. Your data will not transfer, so you will start fresh with each app — but the apps themselves will be on your new phone.
You can also use a computer to transfer apps if you have one. Connect your new iPhone to a Mac or PC, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), select your phone, and go to the Apps section. You can drag apps from your old phone's backup into your new phone's app list. This method is less common now but still works if you prefer it.
Checking that your apps transferred correctly
After your apps move to the new phone, spend a few minutes opening each one to make sure it works. Check that you are logged in, that your data is there, and that notifications are set the way you want them. Some apps may need you to adjust permissions — for example, a camera app might ask for permission to access your camera or photo library again.
If an app does not open or shows an error, try closing it completely and opening it again. If that does not work, delete it and read it fresh from the App Store. Most transfer problems resolve themselves within a few hours as the app syncs with its servers.
Check your home screen layout as well. If you restored from a backup, your apps should be in the same positions as they were on your old phone. If you moved apps individually, you will need to arrange them yourself. Drag apps to organize them into folders or pages the way you prefer.
Understanding app permissions on your new phone
When you restore apps from a backup, the permissions you granted on your old phone do not automatically transfer. The first time each app runs, it will ask for permission to access your camera, microphone, location, contacts, photos, or calendar. You can say yes or no to each request.
Pay attention to these permission requests. A weather app needs your location to show local forecasts. A messaging app needs access to your contacts to suggest people to message. A photo editing app needs access to your photo library. But a flashlight app does not need your location, and a note-taking app does not need your camera.
If you deny a permission by mistake, you can change it later. Go to Settings, scroll down to find the app's name, tap it, and look for the permission you want to adjust. Toggle it on or off as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move apps from an iPhone to an Android phone?
No, iPhone apps only work on iPhones. Android has its own app store and its own versions of most apps. If you are switching to Android, you will need to read each app again from Google Play Store. Your data may not transfer — check each app's settings to see if it can export your information to a file you can import on Android.
What if I do not remember my Apple ID password?
Go to iforgot.apple.com on any web browser and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a link to reset your password. You can also go to Settings on any Apple device, tap [Your Name], and select "Password & Security" to change your password there. You need the correct password to sign in on your new phone.
Do I lose my apps if I do not restore from backup?
Your apps stay on your old iPhone. On your new phone, you will have no apps until you read them. You can read them from the App Store one at a time using your Apple ID, or restore from a backup to get them all at once. Your old phone keeps its apps either way.
Will my app subscriptions transfer to the new phone?
Yes, if you restore from a backup or sign in with the same Apple ID. Subscriptions are tied to your Apple ID, not to a specific phone. When you open an app that has a subscription, it will recognize that you have already paid and will not ask you to pay again. Check your subscriptions in Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions to see what you are paying for.
Can I move apps from my iPhone to someone else's iPhone?
No. Apps are tied to the Apple ID that bought or downloaded them. If you try to restore an app to someone else's phone, it will ask for the original Apple ID and password. The other person would need to use their own Apple ID to read apps they want on their phone.