We all have our favorite apps, and the great thing is that there are so many to choose from, so you're bound to find one that fits your needs. However, some apps are just the go-to for nearly everyone, and a recent report has revealed which ones top the list for Gen Z.
As the "mobile-first generation," Gen Z has a huge impact on app usage, shaping the app download charts. The report takes a look at the 50 most downloaded apps by Gen Z this year.
Due to privacy restrictions, the source couldn't get data for users aged 13 to 17, so it only provided download figures for those aged 18 to 24 in the US. This doesn't give the full picture, but it still offers a glimpse into the app preferences of the older Gen Z crowd.
From January to October, the most downloaded app in the US was Temu, the online marketplace that's become a go-to for pretty much anything you could need – often at steep discounts. Gen Z alone has downloaded the app 41.98 million times. On the other hand, Shein, its biggest competitor, saw just 14.68 million new downloads during the same period.
Not far behind Temu, TikTok secured second place with 33.23 million downloads. Maybe this comes as no surprise, considering the app is a huge hit with Gen Z thanks to its quick, digestible content. It's become so popular that it's even overtaken Google as a preferred search engine for many in this age group.
TikTok is Gen Z's second-favorite app. | Image credit – PhoneArena
YouTube still holds a strong spot, too, with 14.03 million new installs from Gen Z users between January and October. While that's not quite on TikTok's level, it still shows significant engagement from the younger crowd.
YouTube still holds its ground in the Gen Z world. | Image credit – PhoneArena
Additionally, Gen Z seems to be driving growth in the short drama app space. ShortMax, an app offering 1,000 short films across genres like drama, romance, and mystery, has gained major traction, with over 10 million installs from 18- to 24-year-olds in 2024 alone.
Gen Z isn't just sticking to shopping and video apps – they're also flocking to Meta's suite of apps. Leading the pack is Threads with 32.32 million installs, followed by WhatsApp at 28.42 million, Instagram with 26.29 million, Facebook at 20.58 million, and Messenger at 17.63 million. I think it's clear that Meta is still a major player in the app world for this generation.
Google is also holding strong in the Gen Z app scene, with its search engine app notching up 17.65 million installs this year. Other Google products aren't too far behind, with Chrome and Meet racking up 10.19 million and 9.63 million installs, respectively. Google Drive and Google Photos are still going strong, too, with 7.22 million and 6.79 million downloads. Overall, Google's ecosystem remains a key part of daily digital life for Gen Z.
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Another unsurprising finding is that OpenAI's ChatGPT is still a top pick for Gen Z, with 24.63 million installs. With many in this age group either in college or just starting their careers, ChatGPT has become a go-to tool. Another AI-driven app gaining attention is Gauth, a study companion developed by ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok). It's picked up 8.37 million installs.
OpenAI with its advanced AI models is apparently captivating Gen Z. | Video credit – OpenAI
Gen Z loves their photo-sharing and social media apps, so it's no surprise that these platforms are a big part of their daily life. Beyond Threads and Instagram, ByteDance's CapCut stands out as a favorite. The video editing app, known for its cool effects and filters, has made it super easy to create content for TikTok and other platforms, snagging 21.72 million downloads.
Lemon8, another app from ByteDance, has also gained attention, with 7.7 million downloads. While it's still finding its feet in the US, this Instagram clone is definitely catching the eye of Gen Z.
Other notable apps in the mix include Snapchat, which pulled in 19.16 million installs, Telegram at 13.12 million, Pinterest with 8.23 million, Reddit at 8.06 million, and X with 7.58 million. Lastly, it looks like Spotify is the go-to music streaming app for Gen Z, racking up 10.45 million downloads.
What I find really interesting about these stats is how they shed light on the shifting app landscape (for example, ByteDance is becoming an even bigger player in the US) and how people, especially younger generations, are evolving. For instance, AI is becoming an essential tool for them, and short-form video? Definitely here to stay – if you want to keep up with Gen Z, that's the way to speak their language.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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Gen Z loves their photo-sharing and social media apps, so it's no surprise that these platforms are a big part of their daily life. Beyond Threads and Instagram, ByteDance's CapCut stands out as a favorite. The video editing app, known for its cool effects and filters, has made it super easy to create content for TikTok and other platforms, snagging 21.72 million downloads.
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