Report: Non-gaming apps drove cell spending progress in Q2

A brand new report from Sensor Tower reveals that non-gaming apps continued to drive international cell spending progress in Q2 2026 throughout iOS and Android, whereas gaming income declined 4.5% yr over yr. Here are the small print.

AI apps lead non-gaming progress as cell recreation spending declines

Last month, throughout Apple’s fiscal Q3 2026 earnings name, the corporate attributed a part of its Services income slowdown to weaker cell gaming efficiency and regulatory adjustments affecting the App Store enterprise mannequin.

Today, Sensor Tower printed its Q2 2026 Digital Market Index report, providing a better have a look at how cell app spending and downloads modified through the quarter.

According to the report, non-gaming income rose 14.6% yr over yr in Q2 2026, whereas gaming income declined 4.5% over the identical interval. In absolute phrases, non-gaming apps generated $24.4 billion in income and 25.5 billion downloads, in contrast with $19.2 billion in income and 11.3 billion downloads for video games.

The report additionally famous that U.S. IAP income declined 3% yr over yr, however the nation nonetheless led the world in spending at $14.8 billion. China got here in a distant second at $5.98 billion, regardless of seeing income develop 10% over the identical interval.

When it got here to the highest markets by app downloads, India remained in first place with 6.67 billion installs, up 4% yr over yr. The U.S. adopted with 3.08 billion downloads, down 0.2%, whereas Brazil ranked third with 2.43 billion, down 2%.

As for which app classes generated essentially the most income, right here’s what Sensor Tower stated:

Non-gaming genres maintained robust monetization momentum in Q2 2026, with 9 of the highest 10 classes posting optimistic YoY progress. Generative AI led this enlargement, doubling client spend with a 108% YoY surge. Market chief ChatGPT held roughly 60% class income share with 82% YoY progress, whereas opponents like Claude, Grok, and Gemini additionally noticed fast acceleration. Claude significantly stood out, climbing from No. 7 ranked Generative AI app in Q2 2025 to No. 2 globally in Q2 2026.

Dating & Social Discovery was the one high class to expertise a decline globally, falling 11% YoY primarily attributable to softness within the US market, which contracted 34% YoY. However, Latin American markets confirmed robust progress momentum, led by Mexico with a 41% YoY income acquire, alongside double-digit enlargement in Brazil (+19% YoY) and Argentina (+18% YoY).

Sensor Tower says the world’s most downloaded app for the interval was ChatGPT, adopted by TikTok and Instagram, whereas the highest IAP income apps have been TikTok, ChatGPT, and Google One.

Claude took the highest spot amongst breakout apps by IAP income progress, leaping 34 locations to No. 10 general, whereas PineDrama noticed the largest breakout in downloads, climbing 237 locations to No. 20 worldwide.

For Sensor Tower’s full Q2 2026 Digital Market Index report, follow this link.

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