All 3rd party apps are showing ‘waiting’ after transferring from old iPhone

Restart your phone and verify WiFi/Cellular connectivity.

Try updating your iPhone's iOS 18. It could be the apps need the higher iOS.

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

If this does not help, then please provide more information.

• If there is an error message, what is it?
• You say the phone is "new," but from whom did you buy it?
• Was the activation lock cleared? Were you able to set it up using your own Apple ID?

FemaleClown wrote:

New to me from giffgaff, have transferred from old iPhone most apps are saying ‘waiting’ like when you update them? I have added a card to see if that made any difference, didn’t seem to but have started iOS update 🤞

You do need a payment method on your account, so once you're updated, hopefully, things will download/update. When you got the phone, did it open to the Hello Page?

New? iPhone 14 Pro Max was discontinued by Apple in September 2023. Who did you buy the phone from?

Do as CarolB suggested and make sure to update the phone, but I'd be concerned if any seller told you the phone is brand new. Open the Settings App > General > About - does the model number begin with a 5? If it does, the phone is refurbished.

FemaleClown wrote:

Yes it did, why?

Because if it didn't, it would have meant the phone wasn't prepared correctly for a new user. I'm glad it opened to the Hello Page. And I'm glad things are working now. Enjoy your phone!