Khaberni - A new analysis from Appfigures, a market information specialist, showed that global app releases in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 60% compared to the same period last year, through both Apple and Google Play app stores.
According to the data, the iOS app store recorded an 80% increase, and by April 2026, the total number of app releases had risen by 104% in both stores compared to the same period last year, and 89% on the iOS system alone.
This increase comes amid fears that the rise of chatbots and AI-powered agents might lead to users shunning apps, according to some industry professionals, including Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing, which is developing a smartphone for the AI era.
Meanwhile, OpenAI, in collaboration with Apple’s famous designer, Johnny Ive, is working on an artificial intelligence device.
Appfigures data indicates that some app categories witness more new releases than others, with mobile games still dominating the majority of new global app releases.
"Productivity" apps have entered the top five this year, while the "Utility" category has climbed to the second position, and "Lifestyle" apps have moved from fifth place last year to third, while "Health and Fitness" apps complete the top five.
Despite this growth, Apple experts like John Gruber have argued that the App Store needs a "monitoring team" to oversee fraudulent or fake apps that are gaining popularity or generating high profits.
