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, your apps transfer almost automatically through your existing account. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, you'll need to download them again on the new phone — there's no direct transfer bridge between the two systems.
The reason is simple: iPhone apps are built for iOS and won't run on Android, and vice versa. Some apps exist on both platforms, but they're technically different versions. Your paid apps don't transfer either, though many developers let you download their app again for free if you've already bought it on that platform.
The process takes anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Most of the time is spent downloading and installing, not transferring data.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone to iPhone: sign into your Apple ID during setup and your apps download automatically in the background.
- Android to Android: sign into your Google account during setup and your apps reinstall from the Play Store automatically.
- iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone: you must manually download each app from the new phone's app store, though many are free if you bought them before.
- Your app data (saved games, login information, preferences) usually transfers with the app on the same platform, but often does not transfer between iPhone and Android.
- Before switching phones, write down which apps you use regularly so you don't forget to download them on the new device.
Moving from iPhone to iPhone
When you set up a new iPhone, Apple asks you to sign in with your Apple ID — the account you use for the App Store. Once you do, your phone automatically downloads all the apps you've installed on any other iPhone linked to that account. This happens in the background, so you can use your phone while it's happening.
The apps appear on your home screen in the same order they were on your old phone, and your app data comes with them. If you had a saved game in a game app, or login information stored in a social media app, that information is already there when the app finishes downloading.
If an app is no longer available in the App Store (the developer removed it), it won't download. You'll see a cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app name instead, and tapping it won't do anything. This is rare, but it happens with older or abandoned apps.
Moving from Android to Android
Android works the same way as iPhone, but uses your Google account instead of an Apple ID. During setup, sign into the Google account you use on your old Android phone. Your new phone then contacts Google Play (the Android app store) and downloads all your installed apps automatically.
Your app data transfers with the apps — login information, game progress, and app settings all come over. Some apps store data in Google Drive or Google Photos instead of on the phone itself, so that data syncs automatically too.
If you have multiple Google accounts on your old phone, only the primary account's apps transfer during initial setup. You can add other accounts afterward and download their apps manually, but their data won't sync unless the app itself supports multiple accounts.
Switching from iPhone to Android
There's no automatic transfer from iPhone to Android because the two systems don't share an app store. You'll need to download each app you want on your new Android phone from Google Play. The good news is that most apps are free to download again, even if you paid for them on iPhone.
Before you switch, open your iPhone and write down the names of the apps you use regularly. Take a screenshot of your home screen if that's easier. Then on your new Android phone, open Google Play and search for each app by name. Most will have a "Get" or "Install" button instead of a price, meaning they're free to download.
Some paid iPhone apps don't have a free Android version — the developer may charge money on Android too, or may not have built an Android version at all. Check the price before you tap Install. If an app costs money on Android and you don't want to pay, search for alternatives in Google Play that do the same thing.
Your app data won't transfer automatically. If an app lets you back up your data to the cloud (many games and productivity apps do), sign into that account on your Android phone and the app will download your saved data. Otherwise, you'll start fresh in that app.
Switching from Android to iPhone
Moving from Android to iPhone works the same way as iPhone to Android — you download each app again from the App Store. Write down your regularly-used apps before you switch, then search for them in the App Store on your new iPhone.
Most apps are free to download again if you paid for them on Android, but not all. Some developers charge separately on each platform. Check the price in the App Store before you tap "Get".
Your app data transfers only if the app supports cloud backup. Open the app on your Android phone and look for a backup or export option in its settings. If it exists, back up your data before you switch. Then on your iPhone, sign into the same account and the app will restore your data.
What happens to your app data during the transfer
When you stay on the same platform (iPhone to iPhone, or Android to Android), almost all your app data comes with the app. This includes login information, saved games, photos you've edited, documents you've written, and app settings. The data is stored either on the phone itself or synced to your account in the cloud, so it follows you to the new device.
When you switch platforms (iPhone to Android or vice versa), your app data usually stays behind. The app on the new platform is technically a different version, and it doesn't know how to read data from the other system. Some apps work around this by storing your data in their own cloud system — if you sign into the same account on the new phone, the app downloads your data. But many apps don't do this, so you'll start fresh.
Photos, documents, and files you've saved in cloud services like Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, or Dropbox transfer to any phone, regardless of platform. These services work the same way on iPhone and Android, so your data is there waiting for you.
Apps that don't transfer and what to do about them
Some apps won't transfer even when you stay on the same platform. This usually happens because the app is no longer sold in the app store — the developer removed it, or the app was only available for a limited time. On iPhone, you'll see a cloud icon with a down arrow next to the app name, and tapping it does nothing. On Android, the app simply won't appear in your list of installed apps.
If you need an app that's no longer available, search the app store for alternatives that do the same thing. Many categories have multiple options — if your old note-taking app disappeared, you can download a different one and import your notes if you saved them as files.
Paid apps you bought sometimes disappear from the store but can still be downloaded if you've purchased them before. On iPhone, go to your App Store account, tap "Purchased", and look for the app — you can download it even though it's not in the regular store. On Android, go to Google Play, tap your profile icon, then "Manage apps & device", then "Manage", and search for the app in your purchase history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my apps if I don't transfer them right away?
No. Your apps stay on your old phone until you delete them. You can transfer them to your new phone anytime — there's no deadline. If you forget an app during setup, you can download it weeks or months later and it will still be free if you bought it before.
Will my passwords and login information transfer with my apps?
On the same platform (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android), yes — most apps store login information and it comes with the app. When you switch platforms, it depends on the app. Some apps ask you to log in again for security reasons. Others restore your login automatically if you sign into your account.
What if an app costs money on the new platform but was free on my old phone?
This is rare, but it happens. You'll see a price in the app store instead of a "Get" or "Install" button. You can choose to pay for it, find a free alternative that does the same thing, or skip the app entirely. Check reviews of alternatives before you download them.
Can I transfer apps between two Android phones on different Google accounts?
Not automatically. If you're switching to a new Google account, you'll need to download your apps again from the new account. If you want to keep using your old account's apps, add your old Google account to the new phone and download them from there instead of switching accounts entirely.
How long does it take for all my apps to download on the new phone?
It depends on how many apps you have and your internet speed. A few apps take a few minutes. Fifty apps on a fast home WiFi connection might take 15 to 30 minutes. On slower mobile data, it could take an hour or more. You can use your phone while apps are downloading in the background.