Why the number of apps people use is going down while smartphone use goes up

For more insights and key statistics on the biggest trends in today's most disruptive industries, subscribe to our Chart of the Day newsletter.

The average number of smartphone apps used in the US will decrease over the next few years, following a pandemic-driven bump in 2020 that did not change the overall trend. This year, users will access an average of 20.4 apps each month, a figure that will drop to 19.7 in 2026.

Beyond the chart: A decrease in the number of apps used does not translate to a decrease in app use. In fact, average time spent with smartphones is on the rise in the US, up 4.1% from last year for a total of 3 hours and 19 minutes. But users are consolidating time to fewer platforms as apps go super and offer more services in their closed ecosystems.

"Behind the Numbers" Podcast