Mobile continues to dominate as consumers spent a record 3.8 trillion hours on mobile in 2021, according to App Annie, the leading mobile data and analytics company helping brands and publishers create winning experiences. The company revealed several trends on how the world continues to move toward mobile in its State of Mobile 2022 report.
“Mobile is the Greatest of All Time and the go-to device of the future,” said Theodore Krantz, Chief Executive Officer. “The big screen is slowly dying as mobile continues to break records in virtually every category – time spent, downloads and revenue.”
2021 was record breaking as consumers continue to embrace a mobile lifestyle. In the top 10 mobile markets, a staggering 4.8 hours a day were spent on mobile. Consumers spent $170 billion on apps, which is up 19% from last year. Downloads continue growing at 5% year over year to reach 230 billion.
Around 2 million new apps and games were released in 2021 bringing the cumulative total to 21 million. Despite IDFA, the advertising spends were up by 23% year over year and clocked $295 billion, and is estimated to top $350 billion next year.
Fuelled by preference to hyper casual, the Mobile gaming sector grew to $116 billion an increase of 15%. The Apps earning more than $100 million in consumer spend grew by 20%.
Led by TikTok (an increase of 90% globally outside of China), 7 of every 10 minutes was spent on either social, photo and/or video apps. The worldwide consumer spend on dating apps surged past $4.2 billion (55% increase from 2019).
Time in shopping apps was up by 18% year over year, reaching 100 billion hours, led by fast fashion, social shopping, and by big box players.
Food and Drink apps hit a new milestone at 194 billion sessions in 2021 (up 50% year over year). Metaverse catapults leading avatar apps forward with 160% year-over-year growth.
“Mobile brings us closer together whether virtual or in person,” said Krantz. “The future will be based on an immersive entertainment experience you create. You won’t watch movies, you’ll star in them.”
This year’s State of Mobile report identifies macro trends for leading brands and publishers to perform optimally across gaming, fintech, retail, social, video and more.
Read the full report here.
