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MKBHD’s wallpaper app Panels is shutting down
MKBHD, the tech influencer, announced the shutdown of his wallpaper app Panels, launched in September 2024, due to low engagement and challenges in monetization. Despite initial success, the app garnered only 900k downloads and $95k in revenue. It will shut down on December 31, 2025, with refunds for active users, and user data will be deleted while the code will be open-sourced.
Key points
- MKBHD launched Panels in September 2024, aiming to monetize stunning wallpapers.
- The app struggled to maintain its user base after initial success, peaking at #1 on app stores.
- Factors for its failure included niche market challenges and changes in the development team.
- Panels achieved 900,000 downloads and generated $95,000 in revenue.
- The app will shut down on December 31, 2025, with plans for refunds and open-sourcing the code.
Why it matters
- The project reflects ongoing trends of influencers entering app development.
- Panels' challenges highlight the difficulty of monetizing digital content in a saturated market.
- This situation parallels other tech startups that fail to maintain user engagement post-launch.
The shutdown of MKBHD's Panels underscores the challenges even popular figures face in app development, particularly in monetizing niche services amidst strong competition.