Mobile App Download Statistics & Usage Statistics (2024)

With over 6.3 billion smartphone users across the world, it’s no surprise that the mobile app industry is thriving. App usage and smartphone penetration are still growing at a steady rate, without any signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future.

Now factor in the 1.14 billion tablet talen.id users worldwide, which a number that’s grown about 36% over the past six years.

If you take a second to look up from your phone during the day, I’m sure you’ll notice that everyone else has their eyes glued to a mobile device as well.

In fact, studies show that the average American checks their phone 262 times per day! That’s once every 5.5 minutes.

We use our phones at work, at home, on the street, while we’re eating, in bed, and even in our cars. You might be reading this from a mobile device right now.

What’s everyone doing on their phones? Well, 88% of mobile time is spent on apps.

This is encouraging news for app developers, app publishers, and anyone who plans on developing an app. But in order to be successful in this space, two things need to happen.

1. Users need to download your app.
2. Users need to use your app.

These two seemingly simple actions are what inspired me to write this guide. Sure, we know that people are using apps more than ever before. But that’s just barely scratching the surface in terms of the available data on this usage. You can’t develop an app based on this information alone.

That’s like saying, “People like to eat, so I’m going to open a restaurant.”

If you want to compete and claim your share of this multi-billion dollar industry, you need to have a better understanding of exactly how people are downloading and using mobile apps.

Use the research that I’ve identified in this guide to help you develop or improve your mobile app.

Key Mobile App Statistics for 2024

• Mobile apps are expected to generate over $935 billion in revenue in 2024.
• The Apple App Store has 1.96 million apps available for download.
• There are 2.87 million apps available for download on the Google Play Store.
• 21% of Millennials open an app 50+ times per day.
• 49% of people open an app 11+ times each day.
• 70% of all US digital media time comes from mobile apps.
• The average smartphone owner uses 10 apps per day and 30 apps each month.

Mobile App Downloads

Apps can’t succeed without downloads.

It sounds simple, but all too often I app owners overlook this. You could have the best app on the planet, but if nobody is downloading it, you won’t make a dime.

So before you can get people to download your app, you need to take the time to conduct the proper research. To get you started, I’ve found the most relevant mobile app download statistics for 2024.

Global Downloads

People all over the world are using smartphones and tablets.

As mobile app usage grows in popularity, the number of app downloads worldwide increases as well.

We’re seeing growth in app downloads each year. This trend will continue in the coming years as well.

Last year, there were more than 218 billion app downloads. That’s roughly a 7% increase from the year prior.

As you can see from the graph, there was a 55% jump between 2016 and 2020. The year over year growth rate isn’t quite as sharp, but it’s still on the rise.

Free vs. Paid Downloads

When you’re creating a mobile app, one of the first things you need to figure out is your monetization strategy.

That’s why you’re building an app in the first place, right? To make money.

Charging for app downloads might be something that’s crossed your mind. But will people download your app if you make them pay for it?

Let’s take a look at the number of free vs. paid app downloads. The vast majority of global downloads are all free.

In fact, 98% of mobile app revenue worldwide comes from free apps. Just a fraction of people are willing to pay for downloads.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that you should completely dismiss the idea of launching a paid app. Depending on the type of app you have, there are benefits to both strategies.

If you charge for downloads initially, fewer mobile users will download the app. That’s because the majority of people are used to being offered free downloads.

Just look at your own mobile device. Do you have any apps that you paid to install? You’re in the minority if you do.

However, people who download paid apps are more likely to be engaged. They aren’t going to spend money on something and then never use it.

But you don’t need to charge for downloads to make money with your app.

For those of you who own an existing business and have an app as an extension of that business to improve the customer experience should definitely be offering free downloads.

Mobile app users don’t expect to pay for downloads. That’s because the vast majority of apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are offered for free.

Google Play vs. App Store Downloads

There are two places where the overwhelming majority of mobile users are downloading apps.

Users with iOS devices download iPhone apps from the Apple App Store, while Android app users download from the Google Play Store.

Look at how these two platforms compare to each other in terms of global app downloads.

Worldwide, there are more downloads coming from the Google Play Store. But as you can see, both stores saw an increase in the percentage of downloads from 2019 to 2020.

The Google Play Store downloads grew by 31%, while the Apple App Store had just a 2.5% growth rate.

In short, the Google Play Store has more downloads and is growing at a higher rate.