SensorTowerSensor Tower's Q3 2021 Data Digest: Worldwide App Downloads Totaled 35.7 Billion Last Quarter
Summary
Sensor Tower's Q3 2021 Data Digest analyzes global and regional app download trends, noting the continued normalization of pandemic-driven mobile adoption. Key highlights include TikTok becoming the fifth app ever to reach 3 billion downloads, shifts in the US mobile shooter game market after Fortnite's removal, and rapid growth of sports betting apps in the US. The report covers top categories like Games, Utilities, Photo & Video, and Entertainment, with year-over-year trends and publisher rankings by downloads.
You Might Also Like
SensorTowerGlobal Consumer Spending in Mobile Apps Reached $133 Billion in 2021, Up Nearly 20% from 2020
In 2021, global mobile app revenue reached $133B, up 19.7% Y/Y. TikTok led non-game revenue with $2.3B, while game spending hit $89.6B. Downloads stayed flat at 143.6B, with TikTok and Facebook leading installs.
AppsFlyerInside SKAN: Data & learnings from Apple’s SKAdNetwork
SKAdNetwork reveals advertiser-publisher connections, showing Social and Gaming apps drive 92% of paid installs. Privacy thresholds cause conversion value nulls, impacting optimization. Advertisers must adapt campaign structures to overcome NOI decline and leverage limited data for LTV predictions.
AppsFlyerThe consumer mobile landscape in the Nordics
The Nordics have high mobile usage, with increased app installs during the pandemic. Women dominate mobile gaming but men spend more. Poor UX and privacy concerns remain, though users welcome iOS 14 changes. Marketers should measure, invest in mobile, prioritize UX, and build trust.
AppsFlyerApp engagement and user retention: The definitive guide
App engagement is vital for retention and monetization. Key metrics include sessions, retention, and DAU/MAU. Strategies: effective onboarding, personalization, push notifications, and deep linking improve engagement and reduce churn.
AppsFlyerCHAPTER 1. Intro to ROX – and how it links to premium customer experience
ROX measures financial impact of customer experiences on campaigns, focusing on contextualized, personalized, and frictionless CX to boost engagement and LTV.
AppsFlyerMedia buying on autopilot: the ultimate guide to programmatic advertising
Programmatic advertising automates media buying using AI, enabling real-time ad sales and personalized targeting. It spans channels like display, video, and social, offering efficiency and lower costs.
SensorTowerTop 10 Worldwide Mobile Games By Revenue and Downloads in August 2026
August mobile gaming saw stable revenue at $6.57B and downloads at 3.76B. Honor of Kings led revenue through major events, while Tencent titles accounted for 5 of top revenue growth spots, driven by China. Download trends highlighted open-world crime games (Gangstar Mirage City), ASMR unboxing (Mystery Dumpling), and casual vehicle titles, with high growth in India, Brazil, and Turkey. For ad ops, seasonal events, limited-time cosmetics, and localized partnerships are key to engagement; emerging genres and fast-growth markets present new user acquisition opportunities. Live-ops pacing is critical for monetization.
SensorTowerJapan Gaming 2026: The Games, Strategies, and IP Defining a Global Powerhouse
Japan's mobile gaming market remains a revenue powerhouse, generating over $10B in IAPs in the past year despite a slight decline. Downloads are down, but engagement is stable, indicating a mature, high-value audience. Gaming ranks third in Japan's digital ad spend, with the ad market at record highs. Ad ops teams should align with major events and new releases for monetization spikes, balance casual puzzle UAC for volume with strategy/RPG for LTV, and consider cross-platform campaigns.
More from SensorTower
Top 10 Worldwide Mobile Games By Revenue and Downloads in September 2026
September mobile gaming softened overall but delivered clear live-ops wins. Global consumer spending hit $6.13B, down 7%...
Premium PC/Console Deep Dive: Growth, Engagement, and Ad Spend
H1 2026 premium PC/console revenue rose 5% to $13.8B, but growth is uneven. Steam premium hours climbed ~13%, led by Act...
Sephora, Ulta, and the New Playbook for Beauty Ad Spend
Retail beauty ad spend rose 23% YoY, with December and April peaks. Sephora (35% share) and Ulta (18%) dominate, but Ama...
Home Improvement Built Momentum on Retail Media
Home improvement retail media broke seasonal norms as July impressions rose 110% YoY to 1.1B, driven by Paint brands Beh...
State of Digital Advertising 2026: How AI Integration and Streaming Growth Reframe Marketing Strategies
US digital ad spend hit $201B (+15% YoY) with 19T impressions (+7%). Facebook remains the top US ad channel at $42.9B; S...
Top 10 Worldwide Mobile Games By Revenue and Downloads in August 2026
August mobile gaming saw stable revenue at $6.57B and downloads at 3.76B. Honor of Kings led revenue through major event...