TIKTOK SURPASSED FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP TO BECOME THE MOST DOWNLOADED APP ON ANDROID AND IOS IN 2020

TikTok has overtaken Facebook to become the most downloaded app in 2020. Despite facing a hard time in its key markets India and USA, the viral short video app has shown immense growth number in the last two years. TikTok also leapt 15 spots to become the second highest revenue generating app for "consumer spend" behind Tinder. The app is expected to hit 130 billion iOS and Android downloads with global spending forecasted to hit $112 billion this year iOS.

As per App Annie's, TikTok has earned the most downloaded app followed by Facebook at the second spot. Compared to last year's ranking, TikTok has moved three positions upwards taking over WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Facebook. In 2019, four of the top five most downloaded Facebook-owned apps dominated the rankings, with TikTok finding a place at number four.

This year, though, Zoom has surprised everyone with its entry at number four, jumping 219 positions up the list. Last year's most downloaded app Facebook Messenger moved at number six where Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram held to their spots at number two, three and five respectively. However, Facebook’s apps still make up the top four apps in terms of monthly active users.

The report is based on combined results from App Store and Google Play till November 2020.

TikTok has shown immense growth in the last two years, but it has not come as easy for the Chinese company. While users around the world went berserk over the short video app, its country of origin has irked the state, especially in India and the US, the two key markets.

While the Indian government has banned TikTok in the country concerning national security, the Trump administration has put several hurdles citing privacy issues, which is now halted after Biden took over the presidency. TikTok's future in these countries look murky, but the report suggests that the app is still growing at a rapid pace globally.