Earlier expectations suggested artificial intelligence would lessen the importance of mobile apps. Instead, fresh figures indicate the reverse is unfolding. Activity across app marketplaces is climbing sharply, with AI helping spark a significant increase in new software being released.

Research cited by Tom’s Guide, drawing on data from Appfigures, shows global app launches rose by 60 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2026 across Apple’s App Store and Google Play. The increase was even stronger on Apple devices, where releases climbed by 80 per cent over the same period. Preliminary figures for April point to an even faster acceleration, with total launches up 104 per cent across both platforms and 89 per cent on iOS.

The jump in app output arrives despite earlier concerns that AI chatbots and automated agents might replace conventional applications altogether. Some industry figures had predicted that users would move towards conversational tools, reducing reliance on standalone apps.

Photo by Rob Hampson

What is actually happening is quite different. AI-driven development tools are making it far easier to create software, even for those without formal programming experience. These platforms are lowering technical barriers and allowing individuals to convert ideas into working apps at a much faster pace.

This shift is also visible in the kinds of apps being introduced. Games still make up a large share of releases, but there is growing momentum in areas such as productivity, utilities, and lifestyle. Health and fitness apps are also seeing notable expansion.

The renewed pace of development highlights a wider change in how software is produced. Rather than replacing apps, AI is speeding up their creation, opening the door to what many see as a new phase of rapid growth in the app economy. For companies such as Apple and Google, this trend reinforces the importance of their platforms and creates additional opportunities through app distribution and in-app spending. For developers, it offers greater freedom to experiment and innovate at scale.

At the same time, the surge presents challenges. A flood of new apps raises the likelihood of low-quality, misleading, or even harmful software reaching users.

For consumers, the growing volume of apps brings both benefits and risks. On one hand, there is a wider selection of tools and more advanced features powered by AI across productivity, communication, and entertainment. On the other, it becomes harder to separate trustworthy apps from those that may be unreliable or unsafe. Recent cases of fraudulent or malicious apps slipping through review processes underline the need for tighter oversight.

Looking ahead, the number of app releases is expected to continue rising as AI-assisted development becomes more widespread. This may prompt platform owners such as Apple to strengthen review procedures and introduce stricter monitoring systems.

The next stage of the app market will depend on striking the right balance between rapid innovation and maintaining quality. AI is clearly enabling a fresh wave of creativity, but ensuring user trust and safety will remain essential as the ecosystem grows.