Mobile Apps Usage – Statistics And Trends

Mobile apps Usage have become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. No matter what you need, there’s a mobile app for it. Whether it’s online shopping, downloading content, checking the weather or comparing product reviews, there’s an app for it. With so many mobile apps around, there seems hardly any need to turn on one’s desktop at all. No wonder people around the world spend more time with their mobiles than with their desktops or any other device! Did you know that mobile apps now account for more than half (52%) of all the time spent on online digital media? Not at all surprising, we say.

Explosive Growth in Mobile Apps Usage:

The proliferation of smartphones has led to an exponential increase in mobile app usage. As of 2024, there are over 3.5 billion smartphone users globally, with each user spending an average of 4 hours daily on mobile devices. This trend is not just limited to personal use; businesses across sectors leverage apps to reach customers and streamline operations.

Check out our infographic, “Mobile Apps Usage – Statistics And Trends” for more such curious facts about how people are using mobile apps around the world.

Mobile Apps Usage

Mobile apps have become a part of how we consume digital content making up over half (52%) of our time spent on digital platforms. This significant role is highlighted by the fact that smartphone users dedicate 89% of their mobile screen time to using apps showcasing just how important they are in our daily online interactions.

In the world of online shopping mobile apps have proven to be incredibly impactful accounting for 42% of sales from the 500 retailers. This substantial influence demonstrates how mobile apps are effective in driving purchases and engaging customers in the marketplace.

Revenue Generated by Mobile Apps Usage

The revenue generated by apps has been on a steady rise over the years indicating the growing economic significance of this industry:
2014; $35 billion
2015; $45 billion
2016; $58 billion
2017; $77 billion

This upward trajectory reflects the increasing demand from consumers and ongoing innovations, within the mobile app landscape.

Mobile App Usage Across Age Groups

Mobile apps usage varies depending on age with differences in the number of apps used and time spent on them per month.

For individuals aged 18-24: They typically use around 28 apps and spend approximately 37 hours and 6 minutes per month.

For those aged 25-34: The average number of apps used is 29.5 with a monthly usage time of around 35 hours and 40 minutes.

In the age group of 35-44: Users tend to have an average of 29.3 apps spending 33 hours and 57 minutes each month.

People aged between 45-54: They use an average of about 25.8 apps dedicating approximately 25 hours and 26 minutes monthly to app usage.

Individuals aged over 55: On average, they utilize around 22 apps, allocating about 21 hours and 21 minutes per month for app engagement.

These statistics suggest that younger age brackets tend to utilize apps and invest more time in interacting with them compared to older demographics.

Gender Disparities in Mobile Usage

When considering usage based on gender both men and women exhibit a strong preference for mobile applications, over browsing through mobile websites.

• Men typically spend approximately 29 hours and 32 minutes using mobile apps each month as opposed to only 3 hours and 45 minutes spent on mobile web browsing.
• Women on the other hand spend around 30 hours and 58 minutes on mobile apps monthly but only 3 hours and 46 minutes on mobile web browsing.

The data shows that women tend to use apps more than men do while both genders spend only a small amount of time on mobile web platforms.

Rise in App Engagement

The overall engagement with applications has significantly increased, with people now spending 21% more time on their apps compared to last year. This increase reflects the growing reliance on apps for various aspects of daily life ranging from entertainment to productivity.

Time Allocation Across App Categories

Users divide their time among app categories with certain types receiving more attention.

• Games: 43%
• Social Networking: 26%
• Entertainment: 10%
• Utilities: 10%
• News: 2%
• Productivity: 2%
• Health & Fitness: 1%
• Lifestyle: 1%
• Others: 5%
• Gaming and social networking apps are the most popular making up a combined total of 69% of all app usage time.

Preference for Native Mobile Apps Usage

A large majority of users around 85% favor mobile apps, over mobile websites. This preference highlights the user experience and functionality that native apps typically provide.
The app categories that have seen growth in user engagement as measured by the increase in time spent include.

• Music: Showing a 79% increase
• Health & Fitness: Experiencing a 51% rise
• Social Networking: Witnessing a 49% uptick
• Travel: Seeing a 28% boost
• Entertainment: Notable with a 22% surge
• Sports: Marked by a 16% climb
• Games: Showing a 15% increase
• News: Reflecting a 14% growth

The rise in popularity of music and health & fitness apps suggests changing user preferences and the increasing range of features offered by these types of apps.

Moreover, there has been an improvement in app retention rates with the percentage of one-time app use decreasing to 20% down from the year's figure of 22%. On the hand, the percentage of mobile apps usage is more than ten times increased to 39% in 2014. This indicates enhanced user engagement and satisfaction with applications.

These numbers collectively depict a changing and dynamic mobile app landscape characterized by rising user involvement increasing revenues and shifting trends among various demographics and app categories.

Key Mobile Apps Usage Statistics

App Downloads: More than 200 billion apps are downloaded globally each year highlighting the robust growth, in mobile engagement.

Consumer Expenditure: The total spending by consumers on applications surged to an impressive $120 billion in the year 2023 with a notable portion allocated towards gaming, entertainment, and productivity applications.

Types of Applications: While gaming apps continue to lead in terms of downloads and earnings there has been growth in health and fitness, educational and financial apps showcasing evolving consumer preferences.

Trends Impacting Mobile App Usage

Emphasis on Health and Wellbeing: Apps centered around physical wellness are witnessing heightened engagement levels. Features such as activity monitoring, guided meditation, and tailored health advice are gaining popularity.

The emergence of 5G: The introduction of 5G technology is enriching app functionalities by facilitating downloads superior streaming quality and enhanced gaming experiences.

Integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR technologies are being incorporated into apps to provide interactions in areas like shopping, education, and entertainment.

Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce): As more individuals opt for shopping experiences e-commerce apps are advancing with the integration of AR features, artificial intelligence (AI) and voice search capabilities.

Infographic by GO Globe website design company in Hong Kong

Geographical Insights, on Mobile App Utilization:

Asia Pacific Region: The region is leading in app downloads due to the penetration of smartphones in countries like China, India, and Japan.

In North America users are at the forefront of app spending in subscriptions and in-app purchases.

In Europe, app users tend to prefer privacy-focused apps influenced by data protection laws such as GDPR.

Challenges and Opportunities: While the future of apps appears promising there are hurdles to overcome;

Privacy and Security: As mobile apps handle more sensitive data developers face the task of improving security measures.

Market Saturation: With millions of apps available, standing out in the app market is becoming increasingly challenging. Effective marketing strategies and unique functionalities are crucial.

User Retention: Keeping users engaged is just as difficult as attracting them. Developers need to update their apps with new features and ensure smooth performance.

Mobile Apps with Most Downloads

• On shopping app usage, Android users interact with their app at 22.6% on the first day of download. However, this number falls to 6.6% after a week of use.
• For iPhone users, app-based shopping engagement starts at 25.6% on the first day of the app download.
• In the U.S., social media and communication apps dominate in popularity, followed by email apps and web browsers.
• A significant 61% of users aged 18 to 34 prefer using an app with just one hand, prioritizing ease of use in shopping apps.
• Among the 23 to 38-year-old demographic, 49% report frustration with apps that consume too much battery power.
• 70% of users who abandon apps do so because they are too slow, which is a key reason for app deletion.
• Younger users between 11 and 26 spend more time on app-based shopping, averaging 4.1 hours monthly, which is 20% more than older age groups.
• Heavy mobile data usage can deter users from downloading certain apps, especially those aged 23 to 34.
• 73% of people aged 23 to 34 engage in mobile shopping at least four times a week, showcasing the importance of using shopping apps for this group.

Most Downloaded Apps on Android

Impact of Mobile Apps Usage on E-commerce Market

Mobile applications have made a revolution in shopping today. Buying things seems easier and faster as they can be purchased online now. In fact, with increased usages of shopping mobile applications, it is more easier for people to shop using their cell phones. Below are some shopping apps statistics showing how the mobile applications affect e-commerce:

• M-commerce had been booming with its sales of $2.52 trillion expected for 2024 and will go as high as 16.3% which is more than its sales in 2023. It clearly shows that the behavior of the customers is changing over shopping apps.
• Mobile shopping could grow even stronger till 2027 with its sales worldwide reaching $3.44 trillion.
• People are using shopping apps from their mobiles 48% more than other applications, which again turns out to be an important fact for online shopping through mobile shopping apps.
• 76% like to shop on the phone as it saves time. This shows the strong mobile commerce trend.
• 67% of online shoppers would rather use a website or mobile retail apps that are user-friendly. This means a smooth mobile experience is really crucial.
• Mobile shopping applications are 1.5 times faster than normal websites which is very efficient for shoppers.
• 78% of people like it more to purchase products or services through an app rather than through a web-optimized mobile site. Thus, the mobile shopping application forms an integral part of all the online stores.
• Mobile shopping in the US was at about $431 billion in the year 2022, whereas it is estimated that this would rise to about $4.5 trillion by 2024, which is 70% of all online shopping.
• Mobile shopping now generates 65% of the total online traffic. This demonstrates how much consumer behavior on shopping apps has changed.
• By 2023, mobile shopping has already generated 43% of all sales online. In fact, some experts predict that it could be as high as 53%.
• A user spends 90% of their mobile for using apps. It indicates how much people rely on shopping and other related things using apps.
• Almost 49% of mobile users compare prices on their phones; this shows how mobile commerce trends lead to purchases.
• Mobile-friendliness is the way to go. Almost 70% of users confirm their purchase within an hour via mobile shopping apps after their market research.

Most Popular Mobile Shopping Apps on iOS

Below is the list of some of the most popular shopping apps for iOS devices:

Most Popular Shopping Apps on Android

While some of the top mobile shopping apps for Android devices are the same as for iOS devices, below is the list of more: 

Conclusion

The landscape of mobile app usage is constantly changing with advancements and shifting consumer behaviors. Businesses must stay updated on these trends. Adjust their strategies accordingly to fully harness the potential of mobile apps, for customer engagement and business growth.