Global internet users spent 5.3trn hours on apps and websites in 2025

• 5.3 trillion hours spent on the internet globally in 2025, translating to 603 million years.
• On average, 600 hours were spent by each person in 2025.
• 149 billion new application downloads were recorded during the year.
• Mobile users spent 2.5 trillion hours on social media apps in 2025, reflecting an increase in smartphone demand. 
• TikTok, WhatsApp, and Google Chrome topped the most downloaded social media apps in 2025. 

Global internet users on smartphones collectively spent 5.3 trillion hours across various applications and websites in 2025. This is according to a ‘State of Mobile 2026’ report by Sensor Tower, a leading source of mobile app insights. 

According to the report, the 5.3 trillion hours (excluding third-party Android in China and other markets) represent a 3.8% growth from the figure recorded in 2024. This shows the amount of time the world spends on mobile phones surfing the internet. 

In fact, the 5.3 trillion hours, in conversion, amounts to 605 million years. 

Specifically, the report noted that, on average, each person on Earth spent less than 600 hours online in 2025. This means that each user spent an average of 25 days on the internet during the year.

In addition, each user spent an average of 3.6 hours per day. This includes iOS & Android across 80 countries, excluding China.

While explaining its methodology, Sensor Tower noted that its market insights team compiled the download and in-app (IAP) revenue estimates using the company’s mobile app insights platform. It also noted that the figures gathered in the report were gathered from iOS App Store and Google Play download and revenue estimates for January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2025.

The report also revealed that 149 billion new application downloads were recorded during the year. While it reflects an 0.8% YoY growth, it translates to about 284,000 apps downloaded per minute in 2025. 

The data might be heavy numbers, but they reflect a trend of how often global internet users are installing news apps on their smartphones. It also indicates continuing demand for mobile experiences such as games, social media and other productivity tools.

For instance, the report shows that an average user uses 34 apps per month in 2025 (5.4% YoY growth), with such a user using an average of 10 unique apps each day.

Also Read: Nigerians used 1.2 million terabytes of data in November 2025.

Social media apps lead for internet users

Mobile users spent nearly 2.5 trillion hours on social media apps across iOS and Android in 2025, representing a 5% YoY increase. This is attributed to the increase in overall time spent on mobile following a period of rapid smartphone adoption and ‘pandemic-driven’ demand, according to the report.

Social Media apps that lead in the category are ByteDance’s TikTok, Meta’s WhatsApp Messenger, Google Chrome, JioHotstar, WhatsApp Business, and Google Maps. Others in the top 20 ladder board are Truecaller, Spotify, ChatGPT, PLAYit, Gmail, WEBTOON, Zoom and CapCut. 

Also, AI continues to make its mark on internet usage on mobile. The report noted that AI Assistants became a top 10 subgenre by time spent in 2025, a 426% YoY growth. 

This means that users are spending more time interacting with AI assistants on their mobile devices. In terms of impact, it indicates a shift in how users engage with their phones, relying on AI for tasks, info, and productivity.

“While AI Companions have yet to crack the top 20, they are gaining significant traction,” the report said, adding that “the subgenre now ranks 23rd globally following a robust 68% increase in time spent.”

While mobile users are also integrating AI into their daily lives, the report revealed that time spent in Generative AI apps reached 48 billion hours in 2025. This represents roughly 3.6x the total in 2024 and nearly 10x the level witnessed in 2023.

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