In 2025, India witnessed a remarkable resurgence in mobile app downloads, reaching 25.5 billion, fueled by the growing popularity of AI assistants and microdrama apps. According to a recent report by Sensor Tower, India, known for its high app downloads globally, experienced a rebound in app installations, outpacing most other markets in download growth.
The surge in app downloads in India was accompanied by increased user engagement, with the total time spent in apps rising from 1.13 trillion hours in 2024 to 1.23 trillion hours in 2025. This uptick in engagement can be attributed to the rising adoption of AI assistants and microdrama apps.
While categories like social media and security apps saw a decline, the demand for AI assistants, microdrama apps, video editing tools, social discovery platforms, and food delivery services increased. Notably, short drama app downloads increased significantly by over 350 million, alongside a 346 million rise in AI assistant downloads, reflecting a global trend towards these technologies.
The adoption of generative AI apps also saw a substantial increase in India, with downloads jumping from 198 million in 2024 to 602 million in 2025. This growth was further propelled by companies offering premium AI services for free to Indian users, aiming to capture a larger market share.
Source: TechCrunch