Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Sensor Tower
Mobile gaming revenue experienced its first year-over-year decline in 2022, generating $79 billion from over 50 billion downloads as consumer spending dropped in major markets like the United States and Japan.
Android revenue fell by 30 percent year-over-year in 2022, while iOS revenue saw a modest 1 percent growth.
Entertainment apps have overtaken social networking in the United States, with revenue from platforms like TikTok, HBO Max, and Disney+ doubling 2019 levels to become the largest non-game category.
India, the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia lead global app downloads, with emerging markets in Africa expected to see rapid growth due to increasing smartphone penetration.
Utilities, specifically VPN apps in India, emerged as the fastest-growing app category, while Turkey recorded the sharpest adoption increase despite inflation-related constraints on consumer spending.
Venture capital funding for the mobile ecosystem contracted in 2022, creating uncertainty regarding the future emergence of new app disruptors.
Market diversification is increasing, evidenced by a manga-reader app becoming the top grossing application in Japan for the first time.
Mobile gaming revenue experienced its first year-over-year decline in 2022, generating $79 billion from over 50 billion downloads as consumer spending dropped in major markets like the United States and Japan.
Android revenue fell by 30 percent year-over-year in 2022, while iOS revenue saw a modest 1 percent growth.
Entertainment apps have overtaken social networking in the United States, with revenue from platforms like TikTok, HBO Max, and Disney+ doubling 2019 levels to become the largest non-game category.
India, the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia lead global app downloads, with emerging markets in Africa expected to see rapid growth due to increasing smartphone penetration.
Utilities, specifically VPN apps in India, emerged as the fastest-growing app category, while Turkey recorded the sharpest adoption increase despite inflation-related constraints on consumer spending.
Venture capital funding for the mobile ecosystem contracted in 2022, creating uncertainty regarding the future emergence of new app disruptors.
Market diversification is increasing, evidenced by a manga-reader app becoming the top grossing application in Japan for the first time.