Technology Desk: Smartphone is no longer just a medium for calling, chatting and watching videos. People are now studying, searching for jobs with the help of mobile apps and are also making their work easier with Artificial Intelligence (AI). This is the reason why the trend of downloading apps is changing rapidly in India. Someone is asking questions to AI, while someone is enjoying short stories and short dramas on mobile. On the other hand, there has been a decline in downloads of social media apps.

According to the 2026 report of Sensor Tower, the download of generative AI apps in India increased by 205 percent on an annual basis during the year 2025. At the same time, downloads of apps to education and job increased by 39 percent. Media and entertainment apps also registered a growth of 20 percent. In contrast, total downloads of social media apps declined by 17 percent.

AI apps become the first choice of people, increase in downloads by 205%

AI technology is no longer limited to tech experts only. Students, working people and content creators are also using it. With the help of AI apps like ChatGPT, people are trying to find answers to questions, understand difficult topics, write articles, generate new ideas and make everyday tasks easier.

The 205 percent increase revealed in the Sensor Tower report shows that interest in generative AI apps has increased rapidly in India. However, high downloads do not mean that all users use these apps daily.

Craze of short stories on mobile, entertainment apps also ahead

Changes are also being seen in the world of mobile entertainment. Now users are not only liking long films and web series, but also stories and short dramas shown in episodes of a few minutes.

According to Sensor Tower data, downloads of media and entertainment apps in India will increase by 20 percent in 2025. Short episodes and fast-moving stories are becoming an attractive option for those who want entertainment in a short period of time.

17% decline in downloads of apps like Instagram and WhatsApp

On one hand the demand for new apps is increasing, while on the other hand there has been a decline in the download of social media apps. According to the report, total downloads of social media apps will decline by 17 percent in India during 2025.

However, it would not be right to consider this as a sign of the end of popularity of Instagram, WhatsApp or other social media platforms. The decline in downloads does not mean that users have stopped using these apps. These apps are already installed on many people's smartphones, so there is no need to download them again.

Demand for education and job apps also increased

Smartphones are now being used for entertainment as well as for making a career. According to the report of Sensor Tower, downloads of education and job apps in India increased by 39 percent.

Through these apps, users can take online courses, learn new skills and get job information. This trend shows that mobile apps are also playing an important role in the way people learn and look for jobs.

After all, what does the new trend of app download say?

It is clear from the data of Sensor Tower that the choice of users in India to download apps is changing. AI apps are becoming popular to make work easier, entertainment apps are attracting people through short content and education and job apps are fulfilling career- needs.

At the same time, the decline in downloads of social media apps cannot be considered as direct evidence of their decline in popularity. Overall, smartphones are no longer just a means of entertainment but are also becoming an important medium for learning, working and adopting new technology.