ReportSensor Tower
Store Intelligence Data Digest: Q3 2023
1 Sept 202329 pages~23 min full read
Global mobile app downloads reached 35.1 billion in Q3 2023, a 0.7% year-over-year decline driven by a 2% drop in Google Play installs despite a 6.1% increase on the Apple App Store.
See it on page 4Meta dominated the quarter as Instagram secured the top global download spot, while the July launch of Threads generated nearly 40 million installs on its first day to become the fifth most downloaded app globally.
See it on page 6India remains the world's largest mobile market by volume with 6.6 billion downloads, more than double the volume of the United States.
See it on page 21Garena Free Fire reclaimed the top global position in mobile gaming with 60 million installs, displacing Subway Surfers, while Monopoly Go saw 44% quarter-over-quarter growth in the U.S.
See it on page 11Temu outperformed competitors like Shein and Amazon in download velocity to lead the e-commerce category across the United States and Europe.
See it on page 7Brazil emerged as a key growth market for the Apple App Store, recording a 24% year-over-year increase in downloads, even as other major Google Play markets like Indonesia saw declines.
See it on page 22This analysis examines global mobile application performance during the third quarter of 2023, covering downloads across the Apple App Store and Google Play. Total worldwide downloads reached 35.1 billion, representing a slight 0.7% year-over-year decline. While App Store installs grew by 6.1% to 8.7 billion, Google Play downloads fell by 2% to 26.4 billion. The data, compiled via the Sensor Tower Store Intelligence platform, focuses on unique, per-user installs and excludes pre-installed apps and third-party Android stores.
Meta emerged as the dominant publisher, driven by the July 2023 launch of Threads. The new social platform garnered nearly 40 million installs on its launch day and became the fifth most downloaded app globally for the quarter. Instagram secured the top global spot, fueled largely by the Indian market, which accounted for 51% of its new installs. In the United States and Europe, the e-commerce platform Temu maintained its leadership position, significantly outperforming competitors like Shein and Amazon in terms of download velocity.
The mobile gaming sector saw Garena Free Fire reclaim the top global position with 60 million installs, surpassing long-time leader Subway Surfers. Monopoly Go showed the most significant momentum in the U.S. market with 44% quarter-over-quarter growth. Regionally, India remained the largest market by volume with 6.6 billion total downloads, more than double that of the United States. While the U.S. and China continued to lead App Store activity, Brazil showed the most robust growth on that platform with a 24% year-over-year increase. Conversely, major Google Play markets like Brazil and Indonesia saw single-digit declines in download volume during this period.
