India’s mobile app downloads rebounded strongly in 2025, reaching an estimated 25.5 billion for the year, driven by rising interest in artificial intelligence tools and short drama entertainment formats, according to industry data. The growth reflects how user behaviour in the country continues to evolve with greater engagement in emerging content categories and mobile experiences.
The 2025 total marked an increase from about 24.6 billion app downloads in 2024. This rebound comes after a softer performance in previous years and underscores India’s position as one of the largest global markets for mobile application consumption. While the country has not traditionally ranked among the top markets for consumer app spending, its sheer scale of downloads and usage has maintained its prominence in global app trends.
Data from analytics firm Sensor Tower shows that user engagement also increased, with total time spent in apps rising significantly. Indians spent more hours on mobile applications in 2025 compared with the previous year. This engagement was supported by strong interest in AI-assisted apps and micro-drama platforms that encouraged frequent usage throughout the day.
AI assistant applications were among the key drivers of growth during the year. These included apps that offer generative AI features, conversational interfaces, and productivity enhancements. Sensor Tower data indicates that AI assistants recorded hundreds of millions of downloads in 2025, contributing to the overall rebound. Generative AI applications, in particular, saw a notable increase in traction, far exceeding downloads in the previous year.
Several widely used AI and generative platforms contributed to this trend. Apps such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity, and other assistant-style tools were among the most downloaded in India. These applications benefit from growing consumer awareness of AI capabilities, as well as from the availability of free or discounted premium features aimed at stimulating user adoption.
In addition to AI, micro-drama apps emerged as another major growth category. These platforms host very short episodic video content that can be watched on mobile devices in quick bursts. User interest in micro-drama formats expanded sharply in 2025, with certain platforms achieving significant download milestones. Several Indian micro-drama apps ranked among the top entertainment offerings in the country, reflecting how consumption habits are shifting toward bite-sized, mobile-first formats.
Industry reports show that micro-drama applications have crossed hundreds of millions of cumulative downloads, and some now feature prominently in free entertainment charts. This rapid uptake mirrors patterns seen in other short-form video content segments, where users are drawn by accessible storytelling that fits into shorter viewing sessions.
The rebound in overall app downloads also highlighted shifts in category leadership. Traditional staples like social media and messaging apps saw relatively slower growth in 2025, while newer categories associated with AI and short-form entertainment expanded their share of user attention. Food delivery and quick-commerce applications also maintained strong download figures, reflecting continued demand for convenience services.
Analysts say that the growth of AI-related applications reflects broader trends in digital behaviour, as users increasingly adopt tools that assist with productivity, content creation, communication, and entertainment. India’s massive population of smartphone users and its status as a predominantly mobile-first market have amplified these trends, particularly among younger demographics.
Despite strong growth in downloads and engagement, consumer spending on apps in India remains modest compared with global markets. India’s mobile ecosystem continues to generate large volumes of downloads and usage but trails many developed markets in revenue from in-app purchases and subscriptions. This pattern suggests that while demand for mobile experiences is high, price sensitivity and free usage models remain influential in shaping the market.
The rebound in app downloads came as other major markets experienced slower growth or plateaued in 2025. India’s resilience in app consumption made it one of the few large countries to post year-on-year increases. Experts attribute this outcome to a combination of factors including affordable internet access, widespread smartphone adoption, and the emergence of new content and utility categories such as AI tools and micro-drama platforms.
Looking ahead, industry observers expect Indian app consumption patterns to continue evolving. AI-driven features and content formats are likely to remain central to mobile engagement, while monetisation strategies may gradually adapt to capture more value from a large and diverse user base. The expansion of data services, improvements in device performance, and ongoing innovations in app design are also expected to influence how Indian users interact with mobile platforms over time.
The broader context of this rebound highlights India’s role in shaping global mobile trends. With its massive population of internet users and rapidly changing digital habits, the country remains a key market for app developers, technology companies, and content platforms seeking scale and engagement opportunities. The growth in AI and micro-drama downloads in 2025 reflects both consumer appetite for fresh experiences and the increasing integration of advanced technologies into everyday mobile use.