As the mobile app ecosystem continues to evolve, it's essential for app publishers to stay ahead of the curve by leveraging data-driven insights. With billions of users worldwide spending more time in apps than on the web, the potential for generating revenue through mobile has never been higher.

The Rise of Mobile

The average mobile phone user spends over 90% of their time on apps, against only 10% on web browsing. This staggering statistic highlights the immense opportunity for app publishers to capture their target audience and retain users while building a sustainable revenue stream from their app.

Essential Mobile App Monetization Statistics for 2026

Mobile Usage Statistics

  • Smartphone users worldwide have increased by 38.38% since 2022, adding 1.3 billion new smartphone owners.
  • Users spend an average of 3 hours and 46 minutes online using cell phones daily, with mobile accounting for 56.9% of daily internet time among users aged 16 and above worldwide.
  • Indonesians spend the most number of hours each day on their mobile phones (6.05 hours), followed by Thailand (5.64 hours) and Argentina (5.33 hours).
  • American individuals are expected to spend an average of 4 hours and 2 minutes each day on the internet via smartphones by 2026.

Mobile App Revenue Statistics

  • Apps are at the forefront of digital revenue generation, with verticals such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, and generative AI driving the game.
  • App revenue is predicted to reach $613 billion in 2026, up from $522.7 billion in 2024, and to rise even higher to $673.8 billion in 2027.

App Retention Rate Statistics

  • By day 30, iOS apps retain 3.7% of users, significantly outperforming Android, which stands at 2.1%.
  • Users who interact weekly with the app are 90% more likely to stick around in the long run.
  • The average app retention percentage lowers to 21% after the first 24 hours, 7.5% by day 10, and 1.89% after 90 days.

App Store Statistics

  • As of May 2026, Google Play has 2,026,274 apps, while the Apple App Store has 1,937,896 apps.
  • Users are expected to download 143 billion mobile apps from the Google Play Store in 2026, up from 111 billion in 2021.

Mobile Video Ads Statistics

  • Marketers have recognized how important smartphones are in reaching their audiences. Mobile ad spending in the US is expected to continue its upward trend.
  • The average iPhone user spends $12.77 per app, compared to $6.19 for each app on Android devices.
  • Users who interact weekly with the app are 90% more likely to stick around in the long run.

By leveraging these statistics, app publishers can make data-driven decisions to optimize their monetization strategies and capitalize on the immense potential of mobile apps.