How to Transfer Apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth

Can you transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth?

Admittedly, when upgrading to a new iPhone, you can download the apps from App Store. However, it will not download app data saved on the old iPhone. Your apps save a lot of important data, including game records, chat history, important notes, etc. Therefore, you want to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone so you can access all the important files.

Can you transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth? Well, it depends on the situation. If you have already set up your iPhone, then you can share apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth but it will not transfer the app data. You can read on to see how to send apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth.

How to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth

If you want to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth, then you can use AirDrop or QuickStart. AirDrop can help you share apps after setup while QuickStart can help you transfer apps during the setup.

Transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via AirDrop

AirDrop is the built-in tool that let users share files between two Apple products. With AirDrop, you can easily share apps, contacts, photos, locations, etc. However, AirDrop cannot help you transfer app data to another iPhone. You can share any app with AirDrop, after that, you need to download the app on the target device. If you don't think it's a problem, just read on to see how to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth.

1. Turn on AirDrop on two iPhones. Go to Control Center > Press and hold the wireless control box > Turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop.

2. On your old iPhone, long press the app you want to share > Choose Share App option.

3. Select AirDrop > Select the target device.

4. On your new iPhone, click View to check and download the app.

Transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Quick Start

Quick Start works with the help of Bluetooth. If your old iPhone has updated to iOS 12.4 and later, then you can use Quick Start to help you transfer apps to new iPhone. The good news is that it will transfer app data.

1. Turn on your new iPhone and place it near your old iPhone.

2. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on two iPhones. Otherwise,  Quick Start won't show up on iPhone.

3. Wait for Set Up New iPhone screen appears on your old iPhone and tap Continue.

4. When you see the animation on your new iPhone, just capture it with your old iPhone.

5. Wait for it to activate your new iPhone.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Face ID.

7. When you are on the data transfer screen, choose Transfer from iPhone to transfer apps along with all other data.

💡 If you encounter any problem, you can go to this Quick Start not working on iPhone guide to get some solutions.

Other efficient ways to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone

You can transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth. However, it cannot help you transfer app data. Here are 3 methods that can help you transfer apps and related data. Which one you choose depends on your specific requirements. If you want to transfer apps after setup, then Way 1 is a better choice.

Transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via FoneTool

This method is recommended if you do not want to spend time backing up old iPhone or resetting your new iPhone.

FoneTool is a professional iPhone data management tool for Windows users. With FoneTool, you can quickly transfer all apps and app data to new iPhone.

● One click to complete the transfer. You are able to transfer everything in one click, including apps and related data, contacts, photos, songs, settings, etc.
● Transfer non-purchased items between different Apple IDs. FoneTool makes it possible to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone with different Apple ID.
● Offline transfer. It does not require the use of a network. It’s a good choice if your network is not stable. You don't have to worry about data leakage either.

You can click the download button to get FoneTool and follow the steps below to transfer everything including apps to your new iPhone.

1. Launch FoneTool > Connect your iPhones to computer via the USB cables.

2. After FoneTool detects your devices, choose Phone Transfer> Go to iPhone to iPhone and click Get Started.

3. Confirm the source device and the target device > Enable backup encryption and click Start Transfer.

When the transfer is complete, your iPhone will automatically restart. After that, you can enjoy everything.

Transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via iCloud

iCloud is the default cloud service for Apple products. It can help you wirelessly transfer data to new iPhone including apps and app data. You should first backup your old iPhone to iCloud and then restore that backup to new iPhone.

★Tips:

You should use the same Apple ID on both iPhones.

It will transfer everything from the old iPhone to the new one.

The transfer requires Wi-Fi to work. Please make sure the Wi-Fi connection is stable, otherwise, it will take a long time to complete the transfer.

Step 1. Backup old iPhone to iCloud

Since iOS 15, when you buy a new iPhone, you can use iCloud temporary storage to backup your old iPhone. The temporary storage is unlimited, which means you can backup everything including all applications and the data associated with them.

However, what you need to know is that the backup will not be saved on your account forever. By default, the backup will disappear after 21 days. But before it disappears, you can get an extra 21 days to restore your temporary backup. That’s to say, the backup will be kept for up to 42 days.

If you have updated to iOS 15 and later, just follow the steps below to backup your old iPhone.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

2. Tap Get Started under Prepare for New iPhone.

3. Choose Continue > Select Move App App Data with iCloud > Tap Done to confirm.

Step 2. Restore iCloud backup on new iPhone

You can check the backup status under your name in Settings. When the backup is ready, you can restore that backup on your new iPhone.

1. Turn on your iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your device.

2. When you are on the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

3. Confirm your account and choose the correct backup.

Transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via iTunes

You can also use iTunes to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone. First backup old iPhone with iTunes and then restore that backup to new iPhone. iTunes will backup all content on your iPhone including app data. It is a good choice if you want to do backup and restore on your PC.

Step 1. Backup old iPhone to iTunes

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on computer.

2. Plug in your old iPhone.

3. After iTunes detects your iPhone, choose Device tab > Choose Summary > Select This Computer > Click Back Up Now.

Step 2. Restore iTunes backup to new iPhone

1. Set up your new iPhone.

2. On the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from Mac or PC.

3. Connect your iPhone to computer and launch iTunes.

4. Go to Summary > Choose Restore Backup > Select the backup you need and click Restore to confirm.

Final words

That’s all about how to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth. Quick Start and AirDrop requires Bluetooth to work. If you haven’t set up your iPhone, you can rely on QuickStart to transfer everything including apps. If you have already set up your iPhone, then you can use AirDrop to share apps. The transfer also requires the use of Wi-Fi. If the network is poor, you can use FoneTool or iTunes to transfer apps on a computer.