Contents

How to Transfer Apps from iPhone to iPhone: 5 Easy and Effective Methods

Q: What can I do if the app transfer process is stuck?

First of all, you could confirm your Wi, Fi connection is working fine, restart both iPhones and make sure the two devices are running compatible iOS versions. Then, if needed, restart the transfer.

March 31, 2026Louisa White

Transfer iOS Data App

“Recently, I gave up my old iPhone 8 and switched to a new iPhone 17. But I want to transfer all the apps from my old iPhone to the new one because some of them were purchased. Can anyone help?”

Such scenarios are quite typical while upgrading to the newest model of the iPhone. Most of the time, among the biggest worries when people change their gadgets is transferring their apps and important app data without losing the previous purchases or settings. As iPhones operate on a closed system, a lot of users are left wondering how to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone, which is both safe and efficient. Apple and some other third-party tools offer trustworthy solutions that will facilitate the task. With this post, we reveal 5 working techniques for app transfer from iPhone to iPhone that will help you relocate your apps to a new device quickly and without any hitches.

Part 1. How to Transfer Apps from iPhone to iPhone on Quick Start

If you are curious about how to transfer apps from iPhone to another iPhone, Quick Start makes it easy. Just pair both phones close together. They both need recent iOS versions. Now, the setup will hand over apps, settings, and data. No computer needed. It works smoothly as long as they are near each other. So it seems like the simplest way to switch devices. Probably saves a lot of time and hassle. Plus, it keeps everything exactly as it was.

Step 1.

Turn on your new iPhone and place it near your old iPhone. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the old device.

Step 2.

A Quick Start screen will appear on your old iPhone asking if you want to set up the new device. Tap Continue.

Step 3.

An animation will appear on the new iPhone. Use the old iPhone to scan the animation and establish the connection.

Step 4.

Enter your old iPhone’s passcode on the new device and follow the on-screen instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID.

Step 5.

When prompted, select Transfer from iPhone to start moving your apps, data, and settings to the new device.

Step 6.

Keep both devices close together and connected to Wi-Fi until the transfer process is complete. Once finished, your apps will appear on the new iPhone automatically.

Part 2. How to Transfer Apps from iPhone to iPhone Using iCloud

As Apple claims that iCloud backs up purchase history from Apple services like music, movies, apps and books. So if you’ve backed up your iPhone, then you could easily move apps from one iPhone to another iPhone with iCloud.

Backup iPhone apps to iCloud

Firstly, you need to back up your iPhone to iCloud. Here, if you know the steps, then you could skip this part. Otherwise, you should read this part to backup iPhone to iCloud.

Sync iPhone apps to another iPhone with iCloud backup

Here, you need to run your new/target iPhone.

Step 1.

Reset another/new iPhone.
On your another/new iPhone, you need to reset your iPhone firstly. Go to Settings > General > Scroll down the screen to the bottom and tap on Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 2.

Restore from iCloud backup.
After you make your iPhone as new, you are required to activate your iPhone again. Follow on the screen instructions to enter the screen of Apps & Data. Select Restore from iCloud Backup > Next.

Step 3.

Transfer apps to iPhone.
Sign in your iCloud account and password, select one iCloud backup with the apps that you want to make a transfer. Then you just need to wait patiently to download the iCloud backup apps to the iPhone.

Part 3. How to Transfer Apps from iPhone to iPhone Using iTunes

Also, like iCloud, iTunes also can be used to back up your iPhone data. It will back up your apps (purchased and free download) from iTunes and App Store. So you could use iTunes to help you work as the app mover.

Transfer apps from iTunes to iPhone

Here, you will need to operate your another iPhone

Step 1.

Repeat the above step like Step 1 to set your iPhone as new.

Step 2.

Restore from iTunes backup. In the App & Data screen, tap Restore from iTunes Backup > Next.

Step 3.

Get apps from iTunes to iPhone.
Connect your another iPhone to computer, and run iTunes to select your iPhone > Select Restore Backup > Choose the backup that contains the apps that you want to transfer.

Then you just need to take time to wait for the restoration process and check your target iPhone to confirm the apps.

Part 4. How to Move Apps from iPhone to iPhone via App Store

In this part, all the operations are on your target iPhone, not the original iPhone.

Step 1.

On your target iPhone, tap Settings > iTunes Store and App Store > Sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Here you must make sure the Apple ID is the same as the original iPhone on which you installed the apps.

Step 2.

Go to App Store on your home screen, tap Updates > Purchased > Not on This iPhone to see the list of apps that purchased with the Apple ID, but not currently on your iPhone now, will be displayed. Select the app and hit the “Download” button to install the app on the target iPhone.

Part 5. How to Copy App Data from iPhone to iPhone Using FoneTrans

The above ways show you how to move apps from iPhone to iPhone. When you switch to a new iPhone and want to move app data from iPhone to iPhone, then you need the iPhone data transfer software, FoneTrans, to help you. Want a simpler way to move apps and files?

FoneTrans works well for that. You can switch data between iPhones without fuss. It handles apps, contacts, photos, music, videos, and more. Plus, it's handy when copying data between two iPhones without using iCloud or iTunes. Seems like a smart pick for most users. Tends to run smoothly with little trouble.

117,006 Downloads

FoneTrans

Transfer photos, music, videos, PDFs, etc. from iPhone to iPhone.
Sync contacts, SMS, voice memos, etc. from iPhone to computer.
Copy data between the iPhone and computer and from the iPhone to iTunes.
Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

Free DownloadFor Windows

100% Secure. No Ads.

Free DownloadFor macOS

100% Secure. No Ads.

Step 1.

Download FoneTrans on your computer and install it. After installation, launch the program. Use USB cables to connect both your old iPhone and the new iPhone to the computer. The program will automatically detect the devices.

Step 2.

On the left interface, click Toolbox and select Device to Device.

Step 3.

Select the files you wish to export and tick them.

Step 4.

Await the completion of the process. After that, the destination iPhone will display the chosen app data.

Read this post to learn how to use FoneTrans to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone.

Part 6. FAQs about Transferring Apps from iPhone to iPhone

Why are some apps disappearing after I transfer to a new iPhone?

Apps may not be showing on the new iPhone because they have been removed from the App Store or are not compatible with the latest iOS version. In this situation, you may have to go to the App Store and manually download substitutes for these apps.

Can I transfer apps between iPhones using AirDrop?

Unfortunately, AirDrop does not allow you to transfer complete apps directly. On the bright side, it can share the App Store links, which enable the recipient to download the very same app quickly.

What can I do if the app transfer process is stuck?

First of all, you could confirm your Wi-Fi connection is working fine, restart both iPhones and make sure the two devices are running compatible iOS versions. Then, if needed, restart the transfer.

Conclusion

Moving apps from your old iPhone to a new one can be a straightforward task. Using tools such as Quick Start iCloud, iTunes, App Store, and FoneTrans, you are able to transfer your apps and data in a fast and secure way. These options have different pros and cons depending on your requirements. With the help of this article, you will know how to transfer apps from iPhone to another iPhone without any problem and decide on the most suitable method for yourself.