Consumer spending on mobile games declined by 5 percent, reaching $109.5 billion in 2022, according to analytics firm Data.ai. The overall spending on apps also softened by 2 percent, totaling $167 billion. This shift marked a return to pre-pandemic levels for the mobile app market, after a surge in 2020 when lockdowns drove a 10 percent uptick in downloads and a 25 percent rise in in-app purchases (Data.ai).
Despite the slower growth in spending, the volume of new app downloads continued to rise in 2022, increasing by 11 percent to 255 billion downloads. Users spent roughly five hours daily in mobile apps, a 3 percent increase from the previous year, signaling sustained user engagement and the continued importance of mobile ecosystems (Data.ai).
Geographically, the largest share of new app downloads came from China, followed by India, the United States, and Russia. Russia’s position in the ranking reflects broader shifts in device adoption and market dynamics in recent years. Within this landscape, social platforms and entertainment apps dominate download counts, with globally popular services shaping the overall distribution of mobile activity. In a notable development, Instagram, a property of Meta, emerged as the world’s most downloaded app in terms of sheer volume during this period, despite varying regional restrictions and market conditions (Data.ai).
In another notable update, a mobile version of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge game saw a release on Google Play and the App Store just before January 11. The launch was exclusive to Netflix subscribers, illustrating ongoing strategic partnerships that influence how games reach audiences on major app marketplaces (Data.ai).
Looking ahead, analysts expect continued growth in mobile gaming as new devices, improved network speeds, and more inclusive monetization strategies expand the accessible audience. The evolving balance between ad-supported models, subscriptions, and in-app purchases will continue to shape revenue trajectories across regions and genres. For developers, this means prioritizing user retention, meaningful engagement, and cross-platform availability to sustain momentum as the market adapts to shifting consumer behaviors and regulatory environments (Data.ai).