New data shows a sharp rise in mobile app releases, challenging predictions that artificial intelligence would render traditional apps obsolete. According to market intelligence provider Appfigures, worldwide app launches in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 60% year-over-year across Apple’s App Store and Google Play. On iOS alone, the growth was even steeper at 80%. In April 2026, total releases across both platforms rose by 104% compared to the same month last year, with iOS up 89%.
The findings come amid earlier speculation that AI chatbots and agents might cause users to abandon apps altogether. Industry figures such as Nothing CEO Carl Pei have promoted the idea of an AI-driven future with fewer app dependencies, while reports have explored whether new computing platforms like smart glasses or AI-enhanced wearables could replace smartphones. OpenAI’s collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive on an AI hardware device has further fuelled such discussions.
Yet the surge in new releases suggests a different trend. AI-powered development tools such as Claude Code and Replit may be lowering technical barriers, enabling individuals without coding expertise to create their own mobile applications. This could mark the beginning of a new wave of innovation driven by creators with ideas but limited technical skills.
Appfigures’ data shows that mobile games still dominate new launches globally, but other categories are rising fast. “Productivity” apps entered the top five for the first time this year, while “utilities” climbed to second place and “lifestyle” apps moved up to third. “Health and fitness” applications completed the top five.
The influx of new submissions may partly explain recent missteps by Apple in app review. This week, the company removed the rewards app Freecash after it had reached the top five of the App Store charts. Separately, a malicious clone of the Ledger Live cryptocurrency app slipped through and drained $8.5 million from victims’ accounts.
Apple says it blocked or removed more than 17,000 apps for bait-and-switch violations in 2024, rejected over 320,000 spam or misleading submissions, and prevented more than 37,000 potentially fraudulent apps from reaching users. Nevertheless, some analysts argue the company needs stronger proactive screening to catch scammy or high-grossing fraudulent apps before they gain traction.
If AI-assisted development is indeed fuelling the current surge, the need for vigilant oversight will only grow as more new apps enter the marketplace.
