iOS Statistics By Market Share, Version and App Store Categories

Introduction

iOS Statistics: iOS, initially called iPhone OS, is a mobile operating system created just for Apple smartphones. Launched in 2007, it is built using Swift, Objective-C, C, C++, and assembly language. Apple frequently updates iOS with new features, and the latest version is iOS 17.4, which works on both iPads and iPhones.

As of February 2024, iOS 17 was installed on 66% of Apple devices that accessed the Apple App Store. iOS 16 was present on 23% of these devices, while earlier versions made up the remaining 11%.

In 2023, Apple held over 20% of the global smartphone sales market. Typically, the company sees an increase in sales during the fourth quarter due to the launch of new devices and the holiday shopping season. The demand for the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and Pro Max led Apple to announce sales of over 80 million units worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the first quarter of Apple’s 2024 fiscal year, iPhone sales contributed approximately 58.3% of the company’s total revenue.

Apple released the first iPhone and its operating system, iOS 1, in 2007, introducing a touch-based interface that allowed users to interact with their devices through direct finger navigation.

As of February 2024, iOS 17 accounted for 62.5% of all Apple mobile devices globally, while iOS 16 represented around 24%. Significant changes in iOS version market shares usually occur around September during the Apple Event when the latest iPhone is revealed.

Editor’s Choice

• The first iPhone, introduced in 2007, revolutionized the smartphone market with its touch interface.
• As of February 2025, Apple has a market capitalization of approximately $3.72 trillion USD. (Source : companiesmarketcap.com)
• Globally, Android leads with a 70.69% market share, while iOS has 28.58%.
• In the United States, iOS is more popular, holding a 60.77% market share, compared to Android’s 38.81%.
• iOS market share slightly decreased from 29.02% in 2023 to 28.58% in 2024, showing ongoing competition with Android.
• In China, iOS usage fell to 16% in Q1 2024, down from 20% in Q1 2023, due to strong competition from local brands.
• iOS remains strong in the US, reflecting regional preferences.
• Daily, about 1,327 new apps are added to the Apple App Store.
• A high 92.5% of iPhone users tend to purchase another iOS device.
• As of February 2024, iOS 17.2 is the most used version, with a 38.01% market share worldwide.
• By March 2024, the top categories in the Apple App Store are Games, Business, and Utilities.
• In February 2024, iOS 17 was installed on 66% of Apple devices accessing the App Store, while iOS 16 was on 23%, and earlier versions on 11%.
• Apple held over 20% of the global smartphone sales market in 2023.
• Apple historically sees an increase in sales during the fourth quarter due to the new iPhone release and holiday season.
• In Q4 2023, the iPhone 15 series led to Apple selling over 80 million units worldwide.
• In Q1 2024, iPhone sales made up about 58.3% of Apple’s total revenue.

General iOS Statistics

• On average, 92.5% of iPhone owners prefer to purchase another iOS-based device.
• iOS Statistics show that, on average every day 1,327 apps are released on the Apple App Store.
• Furthermore, out of 1,886,159 apps, there are 798,614 apps with 3-star ratings, on the other, 1,087,545 are without ratings.
• As of today, more than USD 1 billion of iOS devices have been sold around the world.
• 6% of iOS devices that were launched in the market were running majorly on iOS 14 and iOS 13.

Apple App Store Statistics

• Apple is a globally recognized company with a wide range of popular products, including devices, software, and online services. One of its most notable innovations is the Apple App Store.
• In 1983, Steve Jobs predicted a future where people could buy and download software directly from their computers. This vision became a reality in 2008 with the launch of the Apple App Store, following the success of the iTunes digital music store.
• The Apple App Store quickly became one of the first successful mobile app marketplaces, connecting millions of iOS users with millions of apps and games from developers worldwide.
• There are currently 2,038,502 apps available on the Apple App Store, making it one of the most popular app vendors in the world.
• A total of 856,281 app publishers have released apps on the Apple App Store.
• Out of the total apps, 1,800,740 are non-gaming apps, making up 88.34% of the App Store. The remaining 237,763 apps are games, accounting for 11.66%.
• The majority of apps on the Apple App Store are free, with 1,939,976 free apps available, which is 95.24% of all apps. Only 96,934 apps are paid, making up 4.76% of the total. However, many free apps include in-app purchases or require subscriptions.
• On average, 1,271 new apps are released on the Apple App Store each day.
• In CW33 week, 7,490 new apps were added to the App Store.
• In July month (2024), 40,523 apps were released on the Apple App Store.
• Currently, 41.81% of Apple App Store apps have been rated by users, totaling 852,204 apps. The remaining 58.19% of apps, or 1,186,298 apps, have not been rated yet.

iOS Statistics By Market Share By Version

Worldwide

(Reference: statcounter.com)

• As of February 2024, the iOS 17.2 version has the highest market share around the world contributing 38.01%. iOS 17.3 and iOS 16.6 have captured 16.29% and 6.65% market share respectively.
• Furthermore, versions 17.1, 16.7, and 16.1 have less than 5% market each.

Africa

(Reference: statcounter.com)

• iOS Statistics 2024 show that version-wise 17.2 is the leading iOS version in Africa contributing 22.5%. Furthermore, iOS 17.3 its a share of up to 11.34% in the mentioned region.

Asia

(Reference: statcounter.com)

• Similar to other regions, iOS 17.2, and iOS 17.3 are the leading versions in the Asian market in February 2024. On the other hand, iOS 15.8 has the lowest market share contributing 5.07%.

Europe

(Reference: statcounter.com)

North America

(Reference: statcounter.com)

Oceania

(Reference: statcounter.com)

• Comparing the above markets including American, European, and Oceania markets, iOS 17.2 is the leading iOS version with 41.73% market share along with iOS 17.3.
• iOS Statistics 2024 states that be it in any region, version 17.2 has captured the largest market share compared to other versions.

Leading Operating System Market Share

(Reference: statcounter.com)

• As of 2024, android and Windows are the leading operating systems with the largest market share around the world resulting in 43.74% and 27.39% respectively.
• According to iOS Statistics, iOS holds third place for leading the global market with a 17.82% share.

You May Also Like To Read

• Linux Statistics
• Oracle Statistics
• Operating Systems Statistics
• MacOS Statistics

iOS Statistics By App Store Categories

(Reference: 42matters.com)

• As of March 2024, Games, Business, and Utilities are the top 3 leading Apple App Categories.
• There are 206,742 free and 14,751 paid versions of games. Overall majority of the apps are free to download.
• Other leading Apple App Store categories include education, lifestyle, food and drink, health, and fitness.

iOS Statistics By Versions

(Source: wikipedia.org)

iOS Version Adoption Rates

Mobile Devices Statistics

The values below are extracted from W3Schools’ OS Platform Statistics:

*iOS is the operating system for Apple mobile devices (like iPhone and iPad).

Apple iOS 18 Release Dates and Supported Devices

• Apple’s 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is set for early June. It will showcase iOS 18, the latest version of the iPhone’s operating system.
• iOS 18 is expected to be a major update, offering significant changes compared to iOS 16 and iOS 17, which focused on minor improvements and stability.
• The new update, internally called “Crystal,” is undergoing intensive development to ensure it is polished and feature-rich.
• A key feature of iOS 18 is a visual revamp, likely inspired by VisionOS, which might include circular icons and a translucent user interface.
• The revamped design aims to refresh the iOS experience with a more appealing and cohesive look.
• iOS 18 is also expected to introduce a redesigned Control Center and improved customization options for users.
• Apple is integrating AI into its ecosystem with iOS 18, enhancing native apps and services with AI capabilities.
• A new large language model named Ajax is being developed to improve Siri’s conversational abilities.
• AI-powered features might also enhance apps like Mail and Notes, providing functionalities like summarization and translation.
• The extent of AI integration across different iPhone models is still unclear, with some features possibly relying on cloud-based processing.
• iOS 18 might introduce new functionalities such as app sideloading, third-party payment gateways, and third-party default browser support.
• Over 20 iPhone models are expected to support iOS 18, but older models like the iPhone XS and XR may not be eligible. Eligibility might start from the iPhone 11 onwards.
• The anticipation for iOS 18 is high, with users looking forward to the new visual design, AI features, and additional functionalities that will enhance the iPhone experience.

Supported Apple Devices with iOS 18

iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (3rd gen), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Recent Developments

• iOS 18.1 Release: Apple is set to release iOS 18.1 on October 28, 2024, introducing the first set of features under the new Apple Intelligence system. This update will enhance user experience with AI-driven capabilities.
• Apple Intelligence Features: The upcoming iOS 18.1 will offer a contextually aware Siri and various other enhancements powered by on-device machine learning and large language models. These features aim to provide a more personalized and intelligent interaction on devices.
• Call Recording: iOS 18.1 will introduce a call recording feature that allows users to record phone calls with a simple tap. Recorded calls can be accessed through the Notes app along with AI-generated transcripts.
• Improved Safari: A new feature in Safari will allow users to summarize web articles in Reader Mode, making it easier to digest long content quickly.
• Photos App Redesign: The Photos app will undergo its most significant redesign yet, improving navigation and usability with a unified view and advanced filtering options.
• Accessibility Features: New accessibility options, such as Vehicle Motion Cues, will help reduce motion sickness by providing visual cues that correspond to the movement of vehicles.
• Battery Life Issues: Some users of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have reported excessive battery drain following the installation of iOS 18, leading to ongoing discussions and complaints within user communities.

Conclusion

iOS is the most popular and user-friendly operating system in the world. The almost yearly updates as stated in the iOS Statistics are making iPhone users stick to the same brand, while non-iPhone users are choosing Apple over others.

As we all know, Apple makes the most advanced devices to stay ahead in the competitive market. In the future, iOS will continue to perform better with newer updates added with advanced technological features.