ReportSensor Tower
Store Intelligence Data Digest: Q3 2020
1 Sept 202062 pages~48 min full read
Global mobile app downloads reached 36.4 billion in Q3 2020, a 22.8% year-over-year increase driven primarily by a 30.3% surge in Google Play installs.
See it on page 5Among Us achieved a historic milestone as the first title since 2018 to exceed 100 million global downloads in a single quarter, with 24 million of those installs occurring in the United States.
See it on page 20United States consumer spending reached a record $5.8 billion in Q3 2020, with Simulation and Casino genres serving as the primary growth drivers at 59% and 51% increases, respectively.
See it on page 46Google Play game downloads grew 36.4% globally, while the App Store experienced a 4.7% decline, heavily influenced by a 25% drop in game installs within the Chinese market.
See it on page 38Education apps maintained a 21% year-over-year download increase due to the essential nature of remote learning tools like Google Classroom.
See it on page 52The return of professional sports leagues drove a 13% year-over-year increase in European sports app downloads, while the NBA app in the U.S. saw its quarterly download volume quintuple.
See it on page 55Global mobile app performance in the third quarter of 2020 reflected a landscape profoundly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, with total downloads reaching 36.4 billion. This 22.8% year-over-year increase was primarily fueled by Google Play, which saw a 30.3% surge in installs. While TikTok maintained its position as the top non-gaming application globally, the gaming sector experienced a historic breakout with Among Us, which became the first title since 2018 to surpass 100 million global downloads in a single quarter. This title alone generated 24 million downloads in the United States, tripling the performance of its closest competitors and signaling a shift toward social-driven gaming experiences.
Market dynamics diverged significantly by platform and region during this period. While Google Play game downloads grew by 36.4% worldwide, the App Store saw a 4.7% decline, largely attributed to a 25% drop in game installs within the Chinese market. Despite these fluctuations, consumer spending in the United States remained at record levels, totaling $5.8 billion for the quarter. The Simulation and Casino genres emerged as primary growth drivers, increasing by 59% and 51% respectively. On the publishing side, Google remained the global leader with 850 million downloads, though hyper-casual specialist Voodoo achieved a milestone by becoming the top publisher on Google Play in Europe for the first time.
The pandemic also fundamentally altered seasonal trends for utility and lifestyle applications. Education apps sustained a 21% year-over-year increase in downloads as remote learning tools like Google Classroom became essential infrastructure. Simultaneously, the sports category underwent a volatile recovery; after a stagnant spring, the return of professional leagues drove a 13% year-over-year increase in European downloads. This resurgence was particularly visible in the United States, where the rescheduling of major events led the NBA app to achieve five times its typical quarterly download volume, illustrating a broader trend of digital platforms capturing pent-up demand for live entertainment.
