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X’s declining Android app installs are hurting subscription revenue
Elon Musk’s X is facing a significant decline in Android app installs, dropping 44% year-over-year in July 2025, while iOS downloads grew by 15%. This decline is impacting X's subscription revenue, which fell to $16.9 million from $18.8 million in March. X aims to address app issues with a new 'Android Dream Team,' but competition from other platforms like Meta's Threads may be contributing to user loss.
Key points
- New installs of X on Android are down 44% year-over-year in July 2025.
- iOS downloads grew by 15%, indicating a disparity in platform performance.
- X's total mobile downloads decreased by 26% year-over-year, improving from a 35% decline prior.
- The app on Android is seen as buggy and crashes often, pushing X to hire a new team to improve the app.
- X's subscription revenue dropped from $18.8 million in March to $16.9 million in July 2025.
- Competitors like Threads are attracting users, possibly affecting X's Android installs.
Why it matters
- The decline in Android usage could reflect broader issues in mobile app engagement trends.
- Tech companies are increasingly focusing on user experience and app reliability amid fierce competition.
- Subscription models face challenges as platforms adapt to changing user expectations and preferences.
The decline in X's Android app installs not only highlights potential technical issues but also signals increased competition in the social media space, prompting the need for strategic improvements and innovation to retain and attract users.