Neither WhatsApp nor Instagram: these are the applications most downloaded by Generation Z in 2024

It is no surprise to anyone that Generation Z exerts a great influence on the use of applications on a global scale.

And even though older generations have gradually integrated smartphones into their lives, younger Gen Zs – which include those born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s – tend to be those who spend the most time time using smartphones on screen.

They are also those who have been exposed to technology, the internet and social media from a young age, which is why they are often called “digital natives” .

But, given the wide variety of apps that exist today, which ones does this specific group of people tend to download the most?

A report commissioned by the technological site TechCrunch upon signing appfigures sought to resolve this question.

The study highlights that data from young people aged 18 to 24 from the United States was used, so it is possible that they do not represent a complete view of reality, and that for confidentiality reasons, users between 13 and 13 years old were excluded and 17 year olds. Beyond that, the report can provide insight into the trends young people follow when using their cell phones.

These are the most downloaded apps by Gen Z so far in 2024 according to the report prepared by Appfigures.

According to data from iOS and Android users in the United States, The application that is gaining popularity among generation Z is not Instagram, but Temu .

Founded in 2022, this famous Chinese platform dedicated to e-commerce has managed to accumulate 41.98 million downloads only from January to October this year.

We must not forget that Temu is characterized by attracting its customers with products at very low prices and usually motivates them through coupons, rewards and free gifts. The curious thing is that it has also attracted criticism for promoting trendy fashion, which Gen Z generally worries about.

The second place for the most downloaded applications went to TikTok, owned by the company ByteDance.

With 33.23 million downloads In recent months, the short video social network has proven to be a favorite among users aged 18 to 24. This could be due to several reasons, and one of them is probably Provides quick-to-consume content .

The report indicates that young people are also massively installing applications from Meta, the conglomerate led by Mark Zuckerberg.

The one who tops the list is Topics who was born to compete with Meta and who accumulates 32.32 million downloads This year. Then follows the instant messaging network, WhatsApp who wears 28.42 million facilities, and Instagram with 26.29 million .

According to the Appfigures report, Generation Z has a deep desire to include artificial intelligence in their daily lives. The reason? ChatGPT It has over 24.63 million installations in 2024.

The tool, developed by the giant OpenAI, promises to solve queries on a wide variety of topics, write complex texts and translate them, which is why it has recently become a concern both in schools and in universities.

Another area that is growing in popularity among Gen Z is video editing. And that’s it CapCut owned by ByteDance, has had more than 21.72 million downloads in these months.

The platform focuses on video editing and offers a wide variety of effects, filters and sounds, allowing the edited content to be later shared through other networks such as TikTok or Instagram.

Snapchat also appears on young people’s download lists. This instant messaging application, created by Evan Spiegel, is characterized by the exchange of photos, videos and messages that disappear after being viewed.

According to the report, Snapchat has managed to accumulate 19.16 million installs.

The most popular search engine in the world, Google Search recorded a total of 17.65 million downloads in recent times, making it one of the most downloaded platforms.

This is a surprising result since, according to an Adobe survey, many young people choose to use TikTok as a search engine.

Netflix could not be missing from the list of popular applications among Generation Z.

The streaming giant has largely succeeded in attracting people between 18 and 24 years old, managing to have 15.61 million downloads .

Online fashion and lifestyle store Shein managed to make it into the top 10 downloads among young people, although far behind its competitor Temu.

This platform had 14.68 million new downloads in 2024. However, the report emphasizes that this figure does not mean that there is less interest in it, but rather that it is possible that this group has had it on their smartphones for a long time.

Even though young people show a predilection for the short, easy-to-digest videos that TikTok offers, YouTube has also managed to find a place on the list.

The network that allows you to publish, view and comment on videos from around the world 14.03 million new downloads This year.