By 2027, mobile apps are projected to generate over $673 billion in revenue. That’s impressive. Have you ever wondered what drives someone to use (or not use) a mobile app? Or what type of mobile app they’re likely to use the most? Or how much time they’re spending in the mobile apps they download?
In this post, we’ve gathered 24 of the most up-to-date mobile app usage and download stats, facts and projections you can use to make sure your own app aligns with what your target audience is actually doing in 2024 and beyond. We’ve pulled research from the likes of Sensor Tower, Statista, Oberlo, 42Matters and more to bring you the numbers and insights that matter most.
Let’s get right to it (or skip to a section below).
Mobile App Usage & Download Statistics
Millennials & Gen Z App Usage Statistics
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Mobile App Usage & Download Statistics
We kick things off with stats about usage trends and download habits. These numbers highlight what’s going on in the mobile app market today and even speak to the psychology of mobile users.
1. Overall, 5.1 trillion hours were spent using mobile apps during 2023.
Sensor Tower found that the average person spent 5 hours a day on their mobile phone last year—up 6% from 2022. Social media and entertainment apps like WhatsApp, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook were by far the most popular mobile apps.
2. Mobile internet usage is rising while desktop internet usage continues to fall.
As of July 2024, 59.70% of global website traffic came through mobile phones while only 38.20% came through desktop. Back in 2012, mobile phones only accounted for 10.74% of global website traffic.
3. In the US, just over 80% of mobile internet time is spent in apps.
The gap between mobile app usage and mobile browser usage is also widening. In 2024, eMarketer predicts that adult smartphone users will spend about 4 hours and 23 minutes per day using mobile internet, and just over 80% of that time will be spent in mobile apps, rather than a browser. This speaks to the importance of companies not only optimizing their websites for mobile, but creating custom, responsive apps too.
4. There are currently more than 2.4 million apps available in the Google Play Store.
As of Q4 2023, there were 2.4 million apps published in the Google Play Store. While the Android operating system leads the pack for market share globally, it’s interesting to learn that competition is much lighter here than in the Apple App Store (see next statistic).
5. There are 4.86 million apps available in the Apple App Store.
As of July 2023, there were 4.86 million apps published in the Apple App Store. According to Statista, there is one gaming app available on iOS for every 3.76 non-gaming apps.
6. On average, about 47,000 new Android apps are released in the Google Play Store every month.
While fewer Android apps are live on the market today, there are significantly more new Android apps being published than iOS apps (see next stat), with 47,000 new apps being released each month.
7. On average, about 39,000 new iOS apps are released in the Apple App Store every month.
New iOS apps are launched at a slower rate than Android apps; this may be due to the Google Play Store reportedly being cheaper and easier to enter—and, as mentioned above, there are far more Android users than iOS users in the world. Sometimes it makes more sense to cater to the numbers, but not always. We often see businesses choosing to build for both platforms.
8. Users have an average of 18 apps installed on their phones.
As mobile app usage continues to grow, users are becoming more discerning in the apps they install. The average number of apps installed in smartphones is projected to fall over the coming years. Value and functionality are top considerations for smartphone users.
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9. The number 1 reason people uninstall apps is because they aren’t in use.
How often do you purge your phone of previously installed mobile apps? Many users do, primarily because those apps are not being used. The reason they aren’t being used, though, is what businesses need to focus on. Among the other top reasons for uninstalling: not enough space on their phone, excessive advertising, and excessive notifications. As CleverTap points out, all of these responses speak to one thing: a poor user experience. Functionality is everything, and poor UX can guarantee the failure of your app.
10. The most popular Apple App Store category is games, making up nearly 13% of all available apps.
In previous years, there were two times more gaming apps than business apps, the second most popular category. Now, other categories are close behind. The health & fitness category has also moved up in popularity, from accounting for 3.58% of all available apps a few years ago to 5.08% of all available apps now.
11. Only 52% of smartphone users have game apps on their phones.
Although gaming apps are the most commonly created, only 52% of smartphone users have at least one gaming app on their device. In contrast, 89.5% of users have at least one social networking app on their device. A modest 33.8% of users have at least one health, fitness, and nutrition app on their device. Statista does not specify whether or not pre-installed apps are included in their data.
12. Smartphone users spend almost 35% of their mobile app time in social media apps.
Not only are social media apps the most frequently downloaded, but they are also where smartphone users are spending the biggest chunk of their time. In second place are entertainment apps, like TikTok and Netflix, coming in at 31.4% of total usage time. The lines are beginning to blur between social apps and entertainment apps as new generations turn to them for similar purposes.
Millennials & Gen Z App Usage Statistics
Millennials and gen Z are the two most tech-savvy generations with rapidly growing purchasing power. If your app targets these groups, understanding what makes them tick will help you persuade them to adopt your app.
13. Nearly 70% of millennials say social networking apps are among their most commonly used.
Among millennials in particular, the number who list social media apps as their most frequently used category is at 69%. In second place, at 55%, is messaging apps—because again, the most popular use of apps is connecting and communicating with others. If you’re targeting this generation, consider incorporating features in your app that allow users to connect with their peers and be part of a community.
14. Roughly 37% of millennials list data usage as a key factor when deciding if they like a mobile app.
When asked about the top factors when deciding if they’ll keep a mobile app, 37% of millennials said excessive data usage was a dealbreaker for them. A perfect example of this is Pokémon Go—when it first launched, the app quickly became a viral hit, but users were constantly frustrated with how much data it ate up, and many deleted it. As you’re building your own mobile app, keep in mind that high data usage may result in users hitting the delete button fast.
15. 21% of millennials say they open their apps more than 50 times per day.
On a daily basis, millennials open their mobile apps more than any generation prior. Are you one of them? Younger generations today are tech savvy and always on their phones. Build a great app, build their trust and loyalty, and they will come back time and again.
16. Gen-Z users engage 20% more than older groups in non-gaming apps.
Gen Z users spend an average of 10% longer per month in top non-gaming apps compared to older demographics. They also engage with apps more often, with 20% more sessions per user in non-gaming apps compared with older groups.
17. Gen Z is the biggest fan of user-generated content apps.
Gen Z is more likely than other demographic groups to use apps that fall into the categories of video editing, discussion & forum, short videos, photo editing, and microblogging. Top apps include Instagram, TikTok, and X, formerly known as Twitter.
18. Gen Z spends 72% of their digital media time using smartphone apps.
As Comscore points out, smartphone users between the ages of 18 and 24 are the heaviest mobile app users. Gen Z is set to soon surpass millennials as the largest generation, so if your target audience falls in this age group, this is good news for you.
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Mobile App Revenue Statistics
Lastly, we round out this piece with some insights on mobile app revenue. If you’re looking to monetize your app, here’s what you need to know…
19. According to app sales statistics, mobile apps could generate more than $673 billion in revenue by 2027.
In case you had any doubts, the mobile app market is hot. App revenue has risen tremendously over the past decade; this growth is forecasted to continue. It’s not too late to get in on the action!
20. 95% to 97% of apps are free.
Free apps dominate the market. 97% of Google Play apps are free and 95% of apps in the Apple Store are available at no cost. Among app pricing strategies, the free and freemium models appear to be the ones that have consistently worked the best across app categories, given their increasing popularity. Many of these apps still making money thanks to ads, add-ons and upgrades.
21. Apps in the Apple App Store bring in more than double the revenue of those in the Google Play Store.
If maximizing revenue is a priority for your mobile app, you may want to launch in the Apple App Store. iOS apps consistently bring in more money than Android apps. Remember, there are more than twice as many apps in the Apple App Store as in the Google Play Store. These figures are likely contributing to Apple’s leg up in the revenue department.
22. Gaming apps are projected to generate $132 billion in revenue by 2029.
Mobile gaming continues its steady climb and shows no signs of slowing. Statista projects the current $98.74 billion consumer spend will increase to $132 billion in just 5 years. There are many examples of the benefits of gaming and how gamification is changing mHealth for the better.
23. Subscriptions account for 82% of all revenue generated by non-gaming apps.
Subscriptions contribute the most to growing mobile revenue numbers for non-gaming apps. In gaming apps, subscriptions account for only 36% of revenue generated. Other monetization strategies include in-app purchases and advertising.
24. Health and fitness apps are expected to generate a total revenue of $6.73 billion by 2027.
Health and fitness apps saw strong growth in consumer spending in 2023 with the US alone accounting for almost half. Since 2020, consumer spending in health and fitness apps has surged. All top subgenres have gained revenue: weight loss and calorie trackers, fitness programs, mental health, fitness trackers, health monitors, and women’s health. If health and wellness is the market you’re in, now is the time to build your app!
Now It’s Your Turn
Hopefully this post has helped you think a bit more critically about the direction you’re taking your own mobile app. Understanding what your audience is actually doing can unlock the difference between a mobile app that completely misses the mark and one that’s wildly successful.
Looking for a partner to help you drive business value with a strong mobile strategy? We’d love to chat. Take a minute to schedule a free call with one of our mobile product strategists today!
With over 350,000 healthcare apps in the marketplace and a more savvy user base, finding a strategic partner who understands consumer expectations, design trends, and best practices will only add value and efficiency to your app build.
Learn more about how MindSea can help elevate your digital product strategy and develop health and wellness solutions that optimize user outcomes.
Get the Ultimate Guide to Digital Health App Design and Development
Unlock the best strategies, tips, and tricks we’ve discovered from 17+ years of digital product development.
