The coronavirus pandemic has helped the App Store report record growth, according to data from App Annie. As consumers spend more time at home using their iPhones and iPads, the number of apps downloaded and services and subscriptions purchased has skyrocketed.
According to App Annie’s report, downloads of apps from the App Store and Play Store boomed in the first half of the year, jumping 10% compared with the second half of 2019, and 5% increase year-over-year in the same period. Global downloads reached new heights in April, representing a year-on-year increase of around 25% in that sales period.
Spending habits within apps changed during the coronavirus pandemic, too, which consumers spending more than $50 billion on apps and games in the first half of the year, up 10% on 2019.
Spending on apps peaked in May when $6.8 billion was recorded across both the App Store and Play Store, confirming consumers are valuing paid subscriptions more.
Games outperformed other categories during the period, reporting growth of 35% in April.
Speaking of the data, App Annie said: “During this difficult time, we reached for our smartphones. Mobile is our portal to connection, entertainment, exploration, information, and creativity.
“It is a critical time for mobile adoption in our everyday lives and companies should prioritize mobile features, updates, and launches to meet consumer needs – or risk losing out to a competitor who does.”
Did you use your phone more during lockdown? Have you been spending more on apps? Let us know and check back soon for more news and rumors on the App Store, right here.