How were mobile app habits, downloads, usage affected by lockdowns?

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With so many people in India, Southeast Asia and Oceania restricted by COVID-19 lockdowns, it is interesting to see how mobile app habits and usage were affected. A detailed survey by Apptopia has revealed some very interesting trends that, in many cases, buck the international trends.

Global trends, Q2 compared to Q1, showed a jump of 43.67% in banking and fintec app usage; 54.66% in health and fitness 54.66% and dating apps a whopping 398% jump. Understandably, travel and hospitality app usage dropped 14% and mobility app usage by 11.31%.

However, the broader Asia region had some surprising results summarised here.

Dating apps

Global rise in average session duration of dating apps in Q2 vs Q1 was 1.72but India led the trend in this with a whopping growth of 51.46% in average session duration. Southeast Asia and Oceania saw a fall of 5.57% in downloads but saw steady growth in average session duration at 6.7% in Q2 as compared to Q1, considerably exceeding the global average.

Fitness apps

There was a global rise in downloads of fitness apps in Q2 vs Q1 was 45.66%. The boost to global downloads of fitness apps in Q2 globally was driven majorly by India (156.73%), which translated to 58 million active users. Southeast Asia, Oceania and Middle East and North Africa followed the global upward trend in downloads (~ 50%).

As with downloads, the major boost to daily average users (DAU) in Q2 was driven by India. With a whopping 84% growth, that translated to 12 million users. Southeast Asia and Oceania (23.81%) and Middle East and North Africa (27.83%) closely followed the global upward trend in DAU.

According to the most recent Global Mobile Consumer Trends Report, SEA shows major wins for online pharmacy, health & fitness apps along with edtech and food delivery apps have seen steady growth as well. These industries have made a significant impact on all users and are frequently used. Here is a deep dive on these industries:

Online pharmacy on top

Offline pharmacies that turned to online businesses have onboarded millions of users in the last six months and have effectively maintained the numbers.

Health and fitness apps

There was an explosive Global rise in daily active users of fitness apps in Q2 vs Q1 at 24.04% while the downloads were at 45.66%.

The boost to global downloads of fitness apps in Q2 globally was driven majorly by India (156.73%), which translated to 58 million active users. India came out on top with a 17.82% growth in time spent on fitness apps.

Southeast Asia and Oceania (23.81%) and MiddleEast and North Africa (27.83%) closely followed the global upward trend in DAU.

Edtech apps keep up the momentum

Globally, edtech apps have seen an increase in DAU (22.39%), downloads (34.14%), frequency of usage (31.18%) and the average session duration (2.73%).

Southeast Asia saw the biggest jump in the average session duration (3.80%).

Food delivery keeps steady

Southeast Asia saw the highest increase in DAU and the frequency of usage, closely followed by the Middle East and North Africa.

Globally, apps in the food delivery industry have seen an increase in both new users (11.47%) and active users (3.28%). In fact, these apps have also seen a high average session duration (0.76%).

Related article: App usage reports point way for future healthcare apps, and others?

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