GenAI Apps Hit Record 1.7B Downloads and $1.87B Revenue

Generative AI Apps Soar in H1 2025

Sensor Tower’s H1 2025 report reveals that generative AI applications achieved record-breaking downloads and revenue growth, signaling mainstream adoption and increasing user engagement across mobile platforms.

H1 2025 GenAI Growth Highlights

GenAI app downloads surged to 1.7 billion in the first half of 2025, up from 1.0 billion in H2 2024. In-app revenue doubled to $1.87 billion, compared to $932 million in the prior half-year period.

User Engagement Skyrockets

Users spent over 15.6 billion hours on generative AI apps during H1 2025, up from 8.5 billion hours in H2 2024. Those interactions occurred across 426 billion sessions, underscoring growing user reliance on AI-driven experiences.

Regional Market Trends

Asia led global download share with 42.6%, driven by markets like India and China, and posted an 80% growth rate. Europe grew 51%, North America 39% in downloads, while Latin America topped in-app purchase growth, even as North America held a 40% revenue share.

ChatGPT’s Rising Stickiness

OpenAI’s ChatGPT dominated in-app revenue in nearly every market, with users opening the app on average more than 12 days per month in H1. Weekend usage climbed, reflecting adoption beyond work, and daily session length narrowed the gap with top search and browser apps.

The AI Label Effect

Over 100,000 app listings now mention “AI” in their descriptions. These apps saw a short-term boost in downloads after adding AI-related terms, particularly in categories like photo editing, content generation, and tutoring, though the lift often tapered within months.

Implications for AI Developers

For developers and product teams, these insights point to key success factors: prioritize regional launch strategies, optimize user retention patterns, and consider branding that highlights AI capabilities. Data-driven roadmaps can translate these trends into measurable growth.