Mobile Apps Statistics To know 2023: Statistics & Facts
Last Updated on: December 21, 2022 by Alisia Emerson | Fact Checked
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In this post, we discuss Apps Statistics Statistics 2023
It’s no wonder that the smartphone app sector is booming, with around 6.3 billion mobile phone users worldwide. App usage & smartphone penetration are continuing to rise steadily, with no signs of decreasing in the near future.
Consider the 1.14 bn tablet users globally, a figure that has increased by 36% in the last six years.
If you glance up from your phone for a second during the day, I’m sure you’ll see that everyone else is staring at a smartphone as well.
According to surveys, the typical American checks his or her phone 262 times every day! That happens around every 5.5 minutes.
At work, in bed, when eating, on the street, at home, when eating, and even in our cars, we use our phones. You could be reading this on your phone right now.
What are all these people doing on their handsets? Well, Apps account for 88 percent of mobile time.
This is an excellent sign for app developers, publishers, and everyone else interested in creating an app.
However, two things must happen in order to be effective in this space.
Your software must be downloaded by users.
Your software must be used by users.
This guide was inspired by these two fairly straightforward activities. We all are aware that consumers are using apps in greater numbers than ever before. But that only scratches the surface of the information accessible on this topic. You can’t build an app just based on this data.
That’s like thinking “People want to eat, so I’m planning to build a restaurant,”.
You need a deeper grasp of how people download and use mobile apps if you intend to contend and claim your part of this multibillion-dollar business.
Use the research I’ve outlined in this tutorial to assist you in developing or improving your mobile app.
Table of Contents
Crucial Mobile App Statistics 2023
By 2023, income from mobile apps is estimated to reach $935 billion.
There are 1.96 million applications available for download on the Apple App Store.
The Google Play Store has 2.87 million applications available for download.
Millennials access an app 50 times or more every day, according to 21% of them.
Every day, 49% of individuals access an app 11 times or more.
Mobile apps account for 70% of all digital media time in the United States.
The average smartphone user downloads Ten applications per day and 30 per month.
It may appear straightforward, yet app developers frequently ignore this. You may have the finest app in the world, but if no one downloads it, you’ll lose money.
So, before you can convince them to install your app, you must first undertake thorough research. I’ve gathered the most essential smartphone app download data for 2022 to get you started.
Downloads Worldwide
Smartphones and tablets are used by people all around the world.
As the popularity of mobile apps develops, so does the number of application installations worldwide.
Every year, the number of app installations increases. This tendency is expected to continue in the future years.
Over 218 billion apps were downloaded last year. This represents a 7% increase over the previous year.
Between 2016 and 2020, there was a 55 percent increase, as shown in the graph. The year-over-year growth rate isn’t as high as it once was, but it’s still increasing.
Paid vs Free Downloads
One of the very first things you should consider when developing a mobile app is your monetization plan.
Isn’t that why you’re making an application in the first place? To generate income.
It’s possible that you’ve considered charging for app downloads. But, if you charge for your app, will anyone download it?
Take into account the ratio of free versus premium app downloads. The overwhelming majority of downloads worldwide are completely free.
In reality, free apps generate 98 percent of all app revenue worldwide. Only a small percentage of the population are prepared to spend on downloads.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not advocating that you abandon your plans to develop a paid app. Both tactics offer advantages depending on what type of application you have.
If your first charge for downloads, lesser mobile users will install the software. This is because most individuals are accustomed to receiving free downloads.
Take a peek at your own smartphone. Do you even have any paid apps on your phone? If you do, you’re in the minority.
People who download premium apps, on the other hand, are more inclined to be engaged. They will not spend cash on something they would never use.
To make money with your software, you don’t have to charge for downloads.
Those of you who own a business & have an application as an offshoot of that company to enhance the consumer experience should definitely make free downloads available.
Users do not anticipate having to spend for downloads. Since the great majority of programs on the Google Play Store & Apple App Store are for free.
The graph above is based on Statista’s research from December 2021.
Even if you’re releasing an application as a brand-new company, you can still generate money by making it available for free. There are a variety of different monetization options available, such as in-app purchases.
Downloads from App Store vs Google Play
There are two locations where the vast majority of smartphone users get apps.
iPhone apps are downloaded via the Apple App Store, whereas Android apps are downloaded through the Google Play Store.
Take a glance at how these 2 platforms stack up in terms of worldwide app downloads.
The Google Play Store receives more downloads around the world. However, as you can notice, the proportion of downloads on both stores increased from the year 2019 to 2020.
The Google Play Store saw a 31 percent increase in downloads, whereas the Apple App Store saw only a 2.5 percent increase.
In other words, the Google Play Store has far more installations and is expanding faster.
In 2022, I predict these tendencies to continue.
Stats on App Store Downloads
We’ve already seen how the 2 app stores stack up against one another. But now it’s time to dissect these figures even further and examine each platform individually.
Let’s start with the download data from the Apple App Store.
App Store’s Most Popular Categories
You must understand what users want for your application to be successful. This is particularly true when developing a new app.
Your app may be groundbreaking in terms of software or idea, but if there isn’t a market for it, you’ll struggle to attract downloads.
To begin, you should learn which types of applications are the most popular. By share of availability, these are the most prominent categories in the Apple App Store.
The App Store is dominated by the games sector.
However, unless you intend to create a new application from scratch, you are unlikely to have a game. Consider the case of an internet store. It’s pointless to create a gaming application for your company simply so it can belong to a more prominent category.
Your app category should be appropriate to the app’s goal and functions. So, if you’re trying to attract more downloads for a lifestyle or brand app, you can’t merely label it as a game.
In fact, failing to choose a category for your app’s principal purpose violates the App Store review criteria.
If you break these terms, your app may be withdrawn from the Application Store. If this happens, no one would be able to install your app.
As a result, don’t try to deceive the system. Even if your software isn’t in the top category, it can still be successful. There is higher competition in such categories. You might choose a less saturated specialized sector and strive to command a greater share of a relatively small market, depending on your strategy.
Availability of Apple App Store
As I previously stated, the mobile app market is quite competitive.
And just how many apps will there be to compete with? Consider the number of apps accessible in the Itunes Store.
The number of apps available increases year after year.
This seems plausible based on all of the data we’ve looked at so far. More individuals than ever before own a mobile device, & application downloads are at its peak . As a result, it’s only logical that more applications are being released.
Are app downloads increasing as a result of the increased quantity of apps available? Or are there more apps because there have been so many more released?
It’s difficult to say, and both views can be made. After we examine the Google Play Store, we’ll have a better comprehension of this argument.
Stats on Google Play Store downloads
Now it’s time to take a look at the Android device download data.
I took the opportunity to research the Google Play Store in greater depth.
Availability of the Google Play Store
We’ve just completed checking out the Apple App Store. So I’m going to get right in and show you how many apps are present on the Google Play Store.
As you can observe, the graph for this category does not follow the same course as the Apple graph. After mid-2017, we saw a decrease in app availability. Since then, the number of applications has been continuously increasing.
What is causing this?
The Google Play Store is a very competitive marketplace. Some apps simply did not make the cut.
I do not anticipate another downward trend. The overall trend should continue to rise for the foreseeable future, based on the statistics during the last two years.
As we can see, Google Play Store installations are still increasing, despite the fact that the number of applications accessible for download has decreased slightly during the same time period.
Let’s connect this to our Apple conversation. The number of apps available in the Apple App Store grows annually, but the installation growth rate is smaller than the Google Play Store. Based on this data, I believe it is reasonable to infer that the quantity of apps accessible on each platform is unrelated to overall app download growth.
App Categories with the Most Downloads on Google Play
The penetration of an application category can be used to assess its success. These are all the application segments with the largest penetration level among Android users, according to Statista.
Tools — 99.81 percent Communication — 99.93 percent Business — 99.33 percent Video Players & Edit — 96.63 percent Travel & Local — 95.7 percent Social — 95.02 percent Productivity — 91.67 percent Music & Audio — 88.38 percent Entertainment — 83.85 percent News & Magazines — 81.11 percent Photography — 75.77 percent Books & Reference — 70.74 percent Lifestyle — 65.67 percent
A few of these categories should be viewed with caution. Take a peek just at the top spots on the list, for example. All Android devices are likely pre-loaded with those applications (such as communication apps).
Besides that, this list gives a decent idea of the kinds of apps that Android phones have installed (apps like Snapchat, Whatsapp, Tinder, Spotify, TikTok, and Netflix). However, simply having an app loaded on a device does not imply that it is being utilized. As we examine phone app usage statistics, we’ll go over this topic in further detail.
Use of Mobile Apps
Now that you’ve seen how individuals throughout the globe download apps, it’s time to look at how they use them.
The typical mobile user uses their device for 3 hrs and 10 mins every day. Apps take up roughly 2 hrs & 51 mins of this time (applications make for an estimated 90 percent of smartphone usage).
According to studies, the average smartphone has around 80 apps installed. However, not everyone is using all of the apps available.
On average, people use nine smartphone applications a day & 30 per month.
If the typical mobile consumer has 80 apps, this indicates that greater than 62 percent of those apps aren’t used on a monthly basis.
What exactly does this imply? It’s straightforward. People download applications but never use them. In reality, 25% of apps are only used briefly after being downloaded before being deleted.
As we progress through this article, we’ll delve further into app usage data.
Retention and Churn in Mobile Apps
App usage is not assured after a download, as you just learned. If your application has already been released, some of you may be aware of this.
You may have experienced an initial boom in downloads, but you’re having trouble making money since customers aren’t using the app. When I consult with app owners, I frequently encounter this issue.
But how can you tell if this is the case for you? Retention and churn are the best indicators of this.
Within the first ninety days of installing the app, 71% of users abandon it.
So, how does this affect you & your app?
Basically, you must keep track of these figures. Give consumers a reason to return to your app and utilize it in the future.
You’ll never have 100 percent retention, therefore you’ll have to constantly think of fresh strategies to generate new downloads. However, this does not imply that you should disregard existing users.
People are more likely to abandon your app if it performs poorly and contains bugs, UX issues, or glitches. There is no perfect app. Even the most popular apps have issues from time to time. However, it is your job to spot the mistakes. Improve the efficiency and user experience of your app by releasing updates and new versions.
The Most Important Apps
We already discussed app prevalence in terms of what’s accessible for installation, as well as category penetration.
However, just even though they are accessible does not imply that they are being utilized. In reality, simply because they are downloaded does not imply that they’re used. We’ve previously seen the evidence to support that allegation.
Now I’d like to show you which apps users claim they can’t live without.
It makes sense if you check the list. Every one of the top applications is useful for a variety of things and would be utilized on a regular basis.
For social media, there’s Facebook and Instagram.
Email communication via Gmail
For video content, go to YouTube.
Navigational maps
Online shopping at Amazon
Instant contact through WhatsApp and Messenger
Chrome is an internet browser.
I can’t say I encourage developing a new smartphone application that rivals any of these top applications to any of you who would like to create one.
There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to greatness. You may still have a lot of success with a smartphone commerce application for your company. However, if you intend your application to become the next Amazon, it’d be an uphill fight, to say the least.
Is it possible to create an app using GPS map services? Sure. Will it, however, trump Google Maps? Most likely not.
Global Spending on Apple and Android
As we’ve seen, there are distinct discrepancies in download and usage between Android & Apple smartphones. Why?
The users, however, are not the same. When comparing Apple and Android consumers, it’s clear that they act differently.
To begin, consider how people spend money on their mobile devices. Here’s the most recent information from Q3 2021:
Gross App Revenue on Google Play: $12.1 billion
$21.5 billion in gross app revenue on the Apple App Store
These figures reflect revenue generated by paid application installations, subscriptions, and in-app sales.
Apple users spend more money despite having a lesser mobile app market share. Apple users spend nearly twice as much on apps as Android users do.
While your app should appeal to all users, iOS app users will be more likely to purchase other in-app purchases & premium upgrades.
App Use by Age Group
The use of technology varies with every generation. The use of mobile apps is no exception.
You’ve undoubtedly thought that younger generations use mobile apps more than older generations. If that’s the case, you’re right.
That isn’t to say you can’t market to different age groups. Individuals between the age of 45 to 54 spend roughly 1 hr & mins each day using mobile apps, as shown in the graph. That’s only 27 mins less than folks aged 25 to 34.
Even smartphone consumers over 65 years of age spend nearly an hour every day on mobile apps.
Device Usage of Mobile Apps
Not all mobile applications are made equal. Aside from operating system changes, people’s usage will vary depending on the sort of mobile device they use.
Use of Smartphone Apps
There are numerous ways to consume digital content.
Smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs, and laptops are all commonplace. Watches, Smart TVs, smart home gadgets, and smart vehicles can all-access content and apps.
However, certain sectors are dominated by the use of smartphone apps. These are the most common reasons why individuals use their smartphones.
Smartphones accounted for 96 percent of the time spent using maps in the United States. Smartphone apps were used to view 86 percent of digital weather content.
It makes sense logically. People require mobile access to maps and GPS services, thus a smartphone is a natural choice.
However, if you scroll down the page, you’ll notice some less obvious classifications.
Smartphone apps, for example, account for 47% of retail spending. Despite the fact that there are other ways to shop online, people continue to favor smartphones.
Another category that stands out to me is news and information. While smartphone usage is slightly over 40%, it is still high when compared to the various platforms and channels available.
Tablets vs smartphones
There are some distinctions between smartphones and tablets.
As previously said, there are twice as many smartphones as tablets on the planet (2.7 bn vs. 1.35 bn). However, tablet usage is catching up to smartphone usage.
On a monthly basis, people download more smartphone apps and use more mobile applications. However, as the diagram shows, tablets aren’t far behind.
Given that smartphones are virtually always within reach, it’s understandable that they would be utilized more frequently.
When it pertains to purchased applications or subscription purchases made through an app, tablets edge out smartphones by a hair. Tablets may continue to dominate this area for many years to come.
Use of Tablets
Tablets are used for certain reasons and are not as popular as smartphones.
Here are some of the most popular tablet app categories.
Another example of gaming being at the top of a usage list. When comparing this chart to the preceding one, it’s clear that a consumer is more eager to spend on gaming apps downloaded on a tablet.
The gameplay & user experience will be better because tablet screens are larger. This is likely why tablet consumers are inclined to pay a higher price for downloads & subscriptions.
Usage of Mobile Apps by Country
Location affects behavior, as it does almost everything else. The same principle applies to app usage.
We’ll look at and analyze how people utilize mobile apps in different regions of the world. You can use this data to learn more about the audience you’re targeting or to spot fresh market opportunities.
Downloads of Apps By Country
Here are the leading application store downloads by major countries throughout the world.
The amount of application installations in China has increased by 80% in the last four years.
However, other growing markets such as Indonesia, Brazil & India are all experiencing rapid expansion. India’s app installation growth rate during the same period is a stunning 190 percent, as shown in the graph. In the United States, only 5% of people are employed.
As technology evolves and becomes more accessible in emerging areas around the world, the possibility of addressing overseas consumers with an app may be attractive to some firms.
App usage per month (in hours)
Let’s look at how much time individuals spend using smartphone applications in different markets throughout the world.
This graph resembles the previous one in many ways. It stands to reason that as app downloads increase in India, consumers would spend much more time using applications.
There is one characteristic that everyone in these countries has in common. Each year, the amount of time spent on smartphone apps increases.
Consider a nation like Italy, which has a far smaller population than India. However, between 2019 and 2020, the average amount of time consumed using apps in both of these areas increased by 30%.
Downloads: Google Play vs Apple (Android vs. iOS) Worldwide
As the graph shows, we are approaching a 50-50 split in the United States. In Japan, Apple App Store subscriptions dominate, whereas Google Play Store downloads rule everywhere else.
The mobile app sector will have another banner year in 2022.
Despite the fact that smartphone consumption & penetration are at all-time highs, every bit of data we examined reveals that we are still on the rise.
This is excellent news for everyone who has or plans to develop a mobile app. However, you can’t simply create and operate an app without keeping up with the newest research and trends.
As a result, use this article as a guideline to better comprehend the mobile app business in terms of downloads and usage.
What statistics are you using to track your mobile app’s usage statistics? Let us know in the comment section below.
With over 15 years of expertise in personal branding, self-development, and financial literacy under her belt, Alisa has earned a reputation as an accomplished keynote speaker. She is also an expert on topics ranging from self-development, Business News to investment and gladly shares this knowledge with audiences through keynote speaking engagements as well as writing craft workshops for local writers' groups and book conferences. Out of her deep knowledge of writing craftsmanship, Alisa also offers online fiction courses to guide aspiring authors to reach success through story composition excellence.