Apps are not restoring from iCloud backup to new device

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Level 1

4 points

Apps are not restoring from iCloud backup to new device

Purchased new iPhone 16 Pro Max. Backed up my iPhone 15 Pro to iCloud, and followed the same setup I have for several other phones. I selected Restore from iCloud Backup, signed in and my Messages and iCloud Photos show up but none of the apps have downloaded. It has been 5 hours since I started and I’ve never had this happen before. Apple tech support chat rep claims that apps do not come over from iCloud backup and it is all a manual process. This has never been my experience.

Do I just need to erase the new phone and start over again?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 12, 2025 07:10 PM

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Answer 1

muguy

Level 10

89,990 points

Mar 12, 2025 07:17 PM in response to d_r_f

Apps are not part of your iCloud backup, that is correct. If you are restoring from an iCloud backup of a device, the apps installed on that device should download automatically to the new device as part of the restoration process.

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Answer 2

d_r_f Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 12, 2025 07:24 PM in response to muguy

I understand that the app software itself is not in the backup, but the apps are not re- downloading to re-create my Home Screen like they always have when I restore from iCloud. My question is whether there is a way to see if this process is stuck somewhere and can be started, or if I just have to erase all content and try the iCloud restore again.

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Apps are not restoring from iCloud backup to new device

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