You've finally found that one niche photo editor that actually makes your sunset shots look like they were taken by a pro, or maybe a productivity app that finally stopped you from doomscrolling. Naturally, you want to send it to your friend. But then you look at your Home Screen and realize there isn't exactly a giant "Share" button staring you in the face.
Honestly, it's kinda weird how Apple hides some of these features. If you're wondering how do i share an app on iphone, you're actually looking for one of three very different things: sending a quick link to a buddy, letting your spouse use an app you already paid for, or moving your entire digital life to a new device.
The good news? It’s all doable. The bad news? The steps for each are tucked away in different corners of iOS. Let’s break down exactly how to handle this without getting a headache.
The Quickest Way: Sharing a Link to a Friend
If you're just sitting at lunch and want to tell someone, "Hey, download this," you don't need to make them search the App Store manually. That’s a recipe for them downloading the wrong version with a similar name.
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Basically, you have two shortcuts here.
1. The Long-Press Magic
This is the "expert" move most people miss. Find the app icon on your Home Screen. Don't just tap it—press and hold it. A menu will pop up. Most apps will have an option right there that says Share App.
When you tap that, the standard iOS Share Sheet opens. You can send the link via iMessage, WhatsApp, or even AirDrop if they're sitting right next to you. It’s fast. It’s clean. It works.
2. The App Store Route
Maybe you don't have the app on your Home Screen because it’s tucked away in the App Library. Or maybe you're looking at an app you haven't even downloaded yet.
- Open the App Store.
- Search for the app or find it in your "Purchased" list (tap your profile icon at the top right, then tap Apps).
- On the app's product page, look for the Share icon (the little square with an arrow pointing up).
- Tap that, and again, you’ve got your sharing options.
Sharing the Cost: Family Sharing is the Real MVP
Okay, but what if the app costs $10? You probably don't want your partner to pay another $10 for the same thing. This is where the question of how do i share an app on iphone gets a bit more technical. Apple has a feature called Family Sharing.
It allows up to six people to share App Store purchases, subscriptions like iCloud+ or Apple Music, and even some in-app purchases. But—and this is a big but—the family organizer has to turn on Purchase Sharing.
How to set it up (The Organizers Job)
If you're the one who usually pays for stuff, you're the Organizer.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap your Name at the very top.
- Tap Family Sharing.
- If you haven't set it up, follow the prompts to invite people via iMessage.
- Once everyone is in, tap Purchase Sharing and make sure Share Purchases with Family is toggled on.
How to actually download the "Shared" app
This is the part that confuses everyone. If your husband bought a cool game and you're in his Family Group, that game won't just magically appear on your phone. You have to go find it.
Open the App Store. Tap your Profile Picture. Tap Apps. Now, you'll see a section called My Purchases and then a list of your family members' names. Tap your husband’s name. Boom—there is a list of every app he’s ever bought. Just tap the cloud icon to download it for free.
A Quick Warning: If you have Purchase Sharing on, the Organizer’s credit card pays for everything anyone in the group buys. If your teenager decides to go on a shopping spree in Roblox, it’s hitting your bank account. You might want to turn on "Ask to Buy" for the kids.
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Why Some Apps Just Won't Share
I’ve had friends complain that they followed every step and it still didn't work. Honestly, it’s usually because of the developer. Not every app is "Family Sharing" eligible.
If you want to check before you buy, scroll down to the Information section on the App Store page. Look for "Family Sharing." If it says "No," then no amount of settings-fiddling will let you share that specific purchase.
Also, consumable in-app purchases (like a pack of 500 gold coins in a game) can never be shared. Non-consumables (like "Unlock Full Version" or "Remove Ads") usually can be, but it depends on the app.
Transferring Everything to a New iPhone
Sometimes when people ask "how do i share an app on iphone," they actually mean "I just bought the iPhone 16 and I want my apps moved over."
If you're setting up a brand new phone, don't bother sharing apps one by one. Use Quick Start. You just put the old phone next to the new one, and a little bubble pops up asking if you want to transfer data. It clones your phone. It’s basically magic.
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If you already finished the setup and realized you’re missing stuff, your best bet is to check your iCloud Backup.
- Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Make sure it’s current.
- On the new phone, you’d have to reset it to factory settings to "Restore" that backup, which is a pain, but it's the only way to get a perfect mirror image of your old app layout.
The AirDrop Shortcut for Nearby Friends
If you're using iOS 17 or later, Apple made AirDrop even more aggressive (in a good way). If you're looking at a specific app page in the App Store, you can sometimes just bring the top of your iPhone near the top of another iPhone.
The phones will vibrate, a glowing light effect will sweep across the screen, and the link will jump from your phone to theirs. It’s a great party trick. Just make sure both of you have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and that neither of you is using a Personal Hotspot, as that kills AirDrop instantly.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure you're getting the most out of your apps without paying twice, here is what you should do right now:
- Audit your Family Group: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing and see who is actually in there. If you're paying for Netflix or Disney+ separately, see if you can consolidate under one Apple subscription to save money.
- Check Purchase Sharing: If you want to share that $60 professional drawing app with your kid, make sure Purchase Sharing is active.
- Clean up your Home Screen: Now that you know you can long-press to share, use that same menu to "Remove App" from the Home Screen and keep it in the App Library if you don't use it daily.
Sharing apps isn't just about being nice; it's about making sure you aren't leaving money on the table with Apple's ecosystem. Whether it's a quick link or a family-wide subscription, you've got the tools to handle it.