COVID-19 Pandemic Drives Record Growth for Social and Video Apps
The COVID-19 outbreak is causing massive spikes in downloads and usage for video chat and social networking applications as people remain quarantined at home. Apple also launches a new screening app built in partnership with the CDC.
The mobile app industry is experiencing massive shifts as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps people at home. Consumers now spend three hours and forty minutes per day using mobile apps, a figure that rivals traditional television viewing. This surge in screen time highlights how essential mobile applications are for both personal connection and global business.
Video chat and social applications are seeing explosive growth as users look for ways to stay connected during quarantine. Research shows Zoom installs jump from roughly 171,000 in mid-February to 2.4 million by late March, while apps like Houseparty, Discord, and Marco Polo also see incredible gains. In response to this increased demand, Google Duo expands its group calling limit from eight to twelve participants.
Apple steps directly into the public health crisis by launching a COVID-19 screening app developed in partnership with the CDC. Meanwhile, Facebook reports record usage across its suite of applications as people rely heavily on social networks to communicate with friends and family. These trends illustrate how the global health emergency rapidly reshapes user behavior across the entire mobile ecosystem.