How to Copy Apps From One iPhone to Another

You cannot copy an app file from one iPhone to another, but you can get the same apps on a new phone in minutes

iPhones do not let you transfer app files the way you might copy a document. Instead, you download each app fresh from the App Store on your new phone. The good news: if you use the same Apple ID on both phones, most of your apps, settings, and data move over automatically during setup. If you are switching to a new iPhone or setting up a second device, the fastest route is to sign in with your Apple ID and let the phone do the work for you.

This guide covers the real ways to get your apps onto a new or second iPhone, what happens to your data, and what to do when an app does not transfer the way you expect.

Key Takeaways

Sign in with your Apple ID during iPhone setup, and the phone will download all your previously purchased apps automatically.
Apps transfer with their data when you restore from an iCloud or iTunes backup, but this only works if both phones have the same Apple ID.
Some apps do not transfer because they were deleted from the App Store, require a subscription you no longer have, or are not compatible with your new phone's iOS version.
You can manually download individual apps from the App Store on your new phone by searching for them by name.
Family Sharing lets household members download apps purchased by other family members without sharing passwords.

The automatic way: sign in with your Apple ID during setup

When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, you will see a setup screen asking for your Apple ID. Enter the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. The new phone will then download all the apps you have ever purchased or downloaded on that account, along with your settings and most of your app data.

This process starts during setup but continues in the background for hours afterward. Do not unplug the phone or turn it off while it is downloading. Leave it plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. You will see a progress indicator on the home screen showing how many apps are left to download. Apps appear on your home screen as they finish, so you may not see them all at once.

This method works best when you are setting up a brand-new iPhone. If you are adding apps to a phone you already use, go to the App Store, tap the profile icon in the top right, scroll down to "Purchased", and tap "Not on This iPhone". You will see all the apps tied to your Apple ID that are not currently on this phone. Tap the cloud icon next to any app to download it.

Restoring from a backup to move apps and their data

If you want your apps to have the exact same data, settings, and saved games they had on your old phone, restore from a backup instead of signing in fresh. You can back up to iCloud (Apple's cloud storage) or to a computer using iTunes or Finder.

To restore from iCloud: during setup, when you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, tap "Restore from iCloud Backup". Sign in with your Apple ID, choose which backup you want (usually the most recent one), and wait for the restore to finish. This downloads all your apps and restores them to the exact state they were in when the backup was made.

To restore from a computer: plug your old iPhone into a Mac or Windows computer. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). Select your phone, click "Restore Backup", and choose the backup file. Then plug in your new iPhone, open Finder or iTunes again, and restore that same backup file to the new phone. This method is slower but works if you do not have enough iCloud storage.

Manually downloading apps one at a time

If you do not want to restore a full backup or set up with your Apple ID, you can download apps individually from the App Store. Open the App Store on your new iPhone, tap the search icon at the bottom, type the name of the app you want, and tap the cloud icon (or the price if it costs money) to download it.

This method takes longer than automatic transfer, but it gives you control over which apps you actually want on your new phone. You might use this if you are cleaning up and do not want to keep every app you ever downloaded. Keep a list of the apps you use most so you do not forget any.

If you cannot find an app by searching, it may have been removed from the App Store, or it may not be compatible with your new phone's iOS version. Check the App Store on your old phone to confirm the app still exists there. If it does not show up in search on either phone, the developer has taken it down and you cannot download it anymore.

Why some apps do not transfer

Not every app on your old iPhone will appear on your new one, even if you sign in with the same Apple ID. This happens for several reasons. Some apps have been removed from the App Store by their developer and cannot be downloaded again. Some apps require a paid subscription or membership that you no longer have. Some apps are not compatible with the iOS version on your new phone — usually because your new phone is older than your old one, or because the app developer stopped supporting older iOS versions.

If an app does not transfer, check the App Store to see if it still exists. Search for the app by name. If you find it, read the "Information" section to see the minimum iOS version required. If your phone does not meet that requirement, you cannot download it. If the app does not appear in search at all, it has been removed and is no longer available.

For apps that require a subscription, you will need to renew your subscription on your new phone before you can use them. Some apps let you sign in with your account to restore your data even without an active subscription — check the app's settings or help section to see if this is an option.

Using Family Sharing to download apps purchased by family members

If someone in your household purchased an app on their Apple ID, you can download it to your phone without knowing their password. This requires Family Sharing to be set up on both phones.

To set up Family Sharing: open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap "Family Sharing", and tap "get your free guide". Follow the prompts to add family members. Once Family Sharing is active, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to "Purchased", and tap "My Purchases". You will see a dropdown menu at the top — tap it and select the family member whose apps you want to see. Download any of their apps by tapping the cloud icon.

Family Sharing also works for music, books, and subscriptions. Each family member keeps their own Apple ID and data — you are just sharing access to purchases, not merging accounts.

What to do if apps are stuck downloading or not appearing

Sometimes apps get stuck during the transfer process and never finish downloading. If this happens, force-close the App Store by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and closing it. Wait a few seconds, then open the App Store again and check if the download resumed.

If an app still will not download, try restarting your phone. Hold the power button until you see "slide to power off", slide it, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. Once the phone restarts, open the App Store and try downloading the app again.

If the app still will not download after a restart, check your internet connection. Make sure you are on Wi-Fi, not cellular data — some apps are large and will not download over cellular. If you are on Wi-Fi and it still does not work, try signing out of your Apple ID and signing back in. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, scroll down, tap "Sign Out", enter your password, then sign back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy apps from someone else's iPhone to mine?

No. You can only download apps that are tied to your own Apple ID or that a family member has shared with you through Family Sharing. If someone else purchased an app on their Apple ID, you would need to either purchase it yourself or have them set up Family Sharing with you.

What happens to my app data when I transfer apps?

If you restore from a backup, your app data moves over exactly as it was. If you sign in with your Apple ID and download apps fresh, most apps will restore your data automatically if you sign into the app with your account. Some apps store data only on your phone and will not transfer — you may lose saved games or settings in these cases.

Do I need Wi-Fi to download apps on my new iPhone?

You can download small apps over cellular data, but large apps (usually over 100 MB) require Wi-Fi. During initial setup, use Wi-Fi so all your apps download as fast as possible. If you are downloading individual apps later, Wi-Fi is faster and does not count against your data plan.

Can I transfer apps from an iPhone to an Android phone?

No. Apps are not compatible between iPhone and Android. You will need to find Android versions of the apps you want on Google Play Store. Many popular apps like Gmail, Spotify, and Instagram exist on both platforms, but not all do.

What if I do not remember all the apps I had on my old phone?

Go to the App Store on your old phone, tap your profile icon, scroll to "Purchased", and tap "My Purchases". This shows every app you have ever downloaded on that Apple ID. Take a screenshot or write down the names of the ones you want to keep, then download them on your new phone.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.