The fastest way depends on whether you're switching to the same type of phone or a different one
If you're moving to a new iPhone from an iPhone, or a new Android from an Android, both systems can transfer your apps automatically during setup. You won't move them manually — the phone does it for you when you sign in with your existing account. If you're switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone, you'll need to reinstall apps from the new phone's store, because the two systems don't share app libraries. Some apps won't be available on the other system at all.
The automatic transfer works because your apps are tied to your account, not your old phone. When you set up your new device and sign in, it recognizes which apps you own and downloads them. This takes time — anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed — but you don't have to do anything except wait.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone to iPhone and Android to Android transfers happen automatically when you sign in with your existing account during setup.
- Switching between iPhone and Android requires reinstalling apps from the new phone's app store, since the two systems don't share libraries.
- Your app data (login information, game progress, settings) transfers with the app only if the app developer built that in — some apps require you to sign in again.
- Apps you paid for on iPhone won't transfer to Android and vice versa; you may need to buy them again on the new system.
- Sideloading — installing apps outside the official store — is possible on Android but not on iPhone, and carries security risks.
Transferring apps when staying on the same system
On iPhone, start setup and choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from Mac or PC" when prompted. Sign in with your Apple ID. The phone will read all your apps in the background while you continue setting up. You can use the phone when ready — apps will appear as they finish downloading. This process also restores your home screen layout, so your apps land in the same folders and positions they were in on your old phone.
On Android, the process is similar but varies slightly by manufacturer. During setup, sign in with your Google Account. Android will ask which apps to restore and will read them automatically. Some Android phones also let you restore from a backup file if you created one on your old phone, but the Google Account method is the standard route.
Both systems preserve your login information and app data if the app developer built that feature in. Games often save your progress to the cloud, so you'll pick up where you left off. Banking apps and social media apps usually require you to sign in again for security reasons, even though the app itself transfers.
Moving from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone
There is no automatic transfer between the two systems. You'll need to find each app in the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone) and read it manually. Start by making a list of your important apps on your old phone — open Settings, find the apps section, and screenshot or write down the names of anything you use regularly. The built-in app stores on both phones have a search function, so you can find each one by name.
Some apps exist on both systems but under slightly different names. Spotify, Gmail, and Microsoft Office are available on both, but a niche app you use might only exist on one. Check the new phone's app store before you assume it's gone — if it's not there, the developer hasn't made a version for that system.
Apps you paid for will not transfer. If you bought an app on iPhone, you'll need to buy it again on Android, or find a free alternative. Some developers offer the same app free on one system and paid on the other, so search before you pay twice. Free apps transfer as free apps — you won't be charged again.
Preserving your app data when switching systems
App data — your login information, saved games, preferences, photos you've edited — lives in two places: inside the app itself, or in a cloud backup the app developer maintains. If the app saves to the cloud (like Dropbox or Google Drive), your data will be there when you sign in on the new phone. If the app only saves locally on your phone, that data stays on your old phone.
Before you switch phones, open any app you care about and look for a "backup" or "export" option in settings. Some games let you link your account to Facebook or Google so your progress syncs. Banking apps and email apps usually sync automatically once you sign in. Social media apps like Instagram and TikTok pull your account information from their servers, so you'll see your posts and followers when ready.
For apps that don't sync automatically, you may be able to export your data as a file. Note-taking apps like OneNote and Evernote let you export notes. Some password managers let you export your vault. Check the app's settings or help section before you switch — waiting until after you've moved to a new phone makes recovery harder.
What happens to apps you no longer use
During automatic transfer, every app you own will read to your new phone, including ones you haven't opened in months. You can delete them after setup is complete — on iPhone, long-press the app and choose "Remove App," and on Android, long-press and choose "Uninstall." Deleting an app doesn't remove it from your account, so you can reinstall it later if you change your mind.
If you want to avoid cluttering your new phone with old apps, you can delete them from your old phone before you transfer. This won't affect the transfer itself — the system backs up your app library, not your current phone's contents. Alternatively, you can let everything transfer and spend 10 minutes deleting what you don't want after setup.
Transferring apps without using your account
On Android, you can install apps from sources other than the Google Play Store — a process called sideloading. This means downloading an app file directly from a website and installing it manually. This is sometimes necessary for apps not available in your region, but it carries security risks because you're bypassing Google's safety checks. Only sideload apps from sources you trust completely.
iPhone does not allow sideloading in the traditional sense. You cannot install apps from outside the App Store on most iPhones. Some workarounds exist for developers, but they're not practical for everyday users moving apps to a new phone.
For most people, using your account to transfer apps is simpler and safer than sideloading. It's the method Apple and Google built specifically for this purpose.
Troubleshooting apps that won't transfer or read
If an app fails to read during automatic transfer, check your internet connection first. A weak WiFi signal or a connection that drops will pause downloads. Move closer to your router or switch to a different network and try again. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see which apps are downloading and which failed. On Android, open the Play Store, go to your profile, and check "Manage my apps and device" to see read status.
Some apps may be incompatible with your new phone's operating system version. If your new phone runs an older version of iOS or Android than your old phone, newer apps might not work. Check the app's listing in the store — it will say the minimum operating system required. If your phone is too old, you may not be able to read that app.
Apps you purchased years ago might no longer be maintained by their developer. If an app hasn't been updated in several years and won't read on your new phone, the developer may have removed it from the store. In that case, you'll need to find an alternative app that does the same thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my app passwords and login information transfer to the new phone?
It depends on the app. If the app stores passwords in your phone's password manager (like iCloud Keychain on iPhone or Google Password Manager on Android), they'll transfer automatically. If the app stores passwords within itself, you'll usually need to sign in again. Banking and email apps almost always require you to sign in again for security.
Can I transfer apps from my old phone to someone else's phone?
No. Apps are tied to the account that purchased them. If you try to transfer an app you bought to someone else's phone, they'll need their own copy. They can read free apps with their own account, but paid apps require their own purchase or a shared family plan.
What if I switch phones but want to keep my old phone as a backup?
You can keep your old phone and use it as a second device. Apps will stay on it as long as you don't delete them. If you want to keep both phones synced, make sure you're signed in with the same account on both — then any app updates will explore to both phones automatically.
Do I lose my apps if I don't transfer them right away?
No. Your apps are stored in your account, not on your old phone. You can transfer them to a new phone weeks or months later by signing in with the same account. The apps will still be there.
Why are some apps taking hours to read on my new phone?
Large apps (games, video editors, photo apps) can take a long time to read, especially on slower internet. The phone prioritizes essential system apps first, then downloads others in the background. You can use the phone while this happens. If downloads seem stuck, restart the phone or check your WiFi connection.