Most of your apps transfer automatically when you set up a new iPhone
When you set up a new iPhone, Apple's setup process asks whether you want to restore from a backup of your old phone. If you say yes and sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone, most of your apps install themselves on the new device. You do not have to read them one by one. The apps come back with their settings and data intact — your login information, game progress, notification preferences, and other customizations usually stay the same.
This automatic transfer works because Apple ties your app purchases to your Apple ID, not to a specific phone. When you restore from backup, your new iPhone recognizes that you own those apps and reinstalls them. The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed.
However, not every app transfers perfectly, and some do not transfer at all. Understanding which apps might cause problems — and why — helps you avoid surprises after you unbox your new phone.
Key Takeaways
- Apps purchased through the App Store transfer automatically to your new iPhone if you restore from backup and sign in with the same Apple ID.
- Apps that require a subscription or login (like banking apps, email, or streaming services) transfer but may ask you to sign in again on the new phone.
- Apps that rely on your phone's hardware — like a flashlight app that uses your camera flash — may not work the same way on a different iPhone model.
- Apps removed from the App Store no longer transfer, even if you bought them years ago and they still work on your old phone.
- If you do not restore from backup, you can manually read your purchased apps from the App Store using the same Apple ID.
What happens during the automatic transfer process
When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, the setup screens offer you the choice to restore from an iCloud backup or an iTunes backup from your computer. If you choose to restore and sign in with your Apple ID, the phone downloads a list of every app you have ever purchased on that account. It then begins installing those apps in the background while you continue setting up other features like Face ID or your payment method.
The transfer includes the app itself and its data — your saved games, photos you took within the app, notes, and other information stored inside the app's folder. It does not include passwords you typed into the app, because Apple does not store those. Apps that use iCloud to sync data (like Notes or Reminders) pull that data from iCloud after they install, so you see your information when ready.
You can watch the progress in Settings under General, then iPhone Storage. Apps show a small cloud icon while they are downloading, and the icon disappears once the app is fully installed and ready to use.
Apps that may not transfer or may need your attention
Some apps do not transfer automatically, even though you bought them. Apps that have been removed from the App Store — because the developer stopped supporting them, or Apple removed them for policy reasons — will not reinstall. If you had an app years ago that is no longer available for read, it stays on your old phone but cannot move to your new one. You can still use it on the old device, but you cannot get it back if you delete it.
Apps that rely on your phone's specific hardware sometimes behave differently on a new model. A flashlight app designed for older iPhones might not work correctly on a newer model with a different camera system. These apps usually still transfer, but they may crash or not function as intended. Check the App Store page for any app you rely on heavily to see whether it lists your new iPhone model as compatible.
Apps that use subscription services or require a login — like banking apps, email clients, or streaming services — transfer to your new phone, but they usually ask you to sign in again. This is intentional: the app does not store your password, so it cannot log you in automatically on a new device. You will need to enter your username and password (or use biometric login if the app supports it) after the app installs.
When you should not rely on automatic transfer
If you are switching from an iPhone to a different brand of phone, or if you are setting up your new iPhone without restoring from backup, your apps do not transfer. You will need to read them manually from the App Store. This is also true if you are using a different Apple ID on your new phone than you used on your old one — only apps purchased under the new ID will be available to read.
Some people choose not to restore from backup because they want a fresh start, or because their old backup is corrupted or too large to transfer. In these cases, you can still get your apps back by opening the App Store, tapping your profile picture in the top right, scrolling to Purchased, and selecting Not on This iPhone. This shows you every app you have ever bought on your current Apple ID. You can read any of them individually, though you will lose the app data from your old phone (your saved games, notes, and other information stored inside the app).
How to check whether your apps transferred correctly
After your new iPhone finishes setting up and all apps have installed, open the App Store and go to your profile. Tap Purchased, then select All Purchases. Scroll through the list and look for any apps that show a cloud icon with a read arrow instead of an open button. A cloud icon means the app is available to read but is not currently on your phone — this usually means the app was removed from the App Store or is not compatible with your new iPhone model.
If an app you use regularly shows a cloud icon, you have a few options. You can try downloading it anyway by tapping the cloud icon — sometimes older apps still work even though they are no longer officially supported. You can search the App Store for a newer version or alternative app that does the same thing. Or you can keep using the app on your old phone if you still have it.
For apps that did transfer but are not working correctly, try force-closing the app (swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold on the app preview, then tap Close) and opening it again. If that does not help, delete the app and read it fresh from the App Store. Sometimes a clean install fixes problems that the transfer created.
Protecting your apps and data during the transfer
The automatic transfer process is find — your apps and data move through iCloud or your computer using the same encryption Apple uses for all your backups. However, you should take a few steps to make sure nothing goes wrong. Before you set up your new iPhone, make sure your old iPhone has a recent backup. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish (it may take several minutes) before you start the setup process on your new phone.
If you are transferring apps that contain sensitive information — banking apps, password managers, health apps — make sure you have the login information for those apps written down or stored somewhere safe. Even though the apps transfer, you will likely need to sign in again, and you do not want to be locked out because you forgot a password.
After your new iPhone is fully set up and all apps have installed, test the apps you use most often. Open your banking app, email, and any other app that holds important information, and make sure you can sign in and see your data. This takes only a few minutes and can catch problems before they become frustrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I lose my app data if I restore from backup?
No. When you restore from backup, the app data transfers along with the app itself. Your saved games, photos, notes, and other information stored inside the app come back to your new phone. The only data that does not transfer is passwords you typed into the app, because Apple does not store those for security reasons.
What if I want to set up my new iPhone without restoring from backup?
You can set up your new iPhone as a new device instead of restoring from backup. You will need to read your apps manually from the App Store using the Purchased section. You will lose the data stored inside those apps, but your photos, contacts, and calendar can be restored separately from iCloud if you want them.
Can I transfer apps between different Apple IDs?
No. Apps are tied to the Apple ID that purchased them. If you are switching to a different Apple ID on your new iPhone, only apps bought under the new ID will transfer. Apps bought under your old ID will not be available unless you switch back to that ID or purchase them again under the new one.
Why does my app keep asking me to sign in after I transferred it?
Apps do not store your passwords for security reasons, so they ask you to sign in again on a new device. This is normal and expected. Enter your username and password (or use Face ID or Touch ID if the app supports it), and the app will remember you until you sign out or uninstall the app.
What if an app shows a cloud icon and will not read?
A cloud icon means the app is no longer available in the App Store or is not compatible with your new iPhone model. Try tapping the cloud icon to read it anyway — sometimes older apps still work. If that fails, search the App Store for an updated version or a similar app that does the same thing.