Research conducted by Pixalate found that over 1.6MM apps listed in the Google Play and Apple App stores haven’t been updated in over two years, with the number increasing on the Google Play Store but decreasing on the Apple App Store
Pixalate, the market-leading fraud protection, privacy, and compliance analytics platform for Connected TV (CTV) and Mobile Advertising, today released the Abandoned Mobile Apps Report: Q2 2022, showing that over 1.6 million apps between the Google Play Store and Apple App Store appear to have been “abandoned,” meaning that they haven’t been updated in over two years.
Pixalate’s analysis also found 306k+ “Super-Abandoned” apps (5+ years with no update), which are spread almost evenly between the two stores, with 141k in the Apple App Store and 166k+ in the Google Play Store.
1.1MM+ ‘Abandoned’ mobile apps available for download in Google Play Store, 500k+ in Apple App Store
Here are some of Pixalate’s key findings:
- Apple apps received more updates, Google’s app ecosystem became more abandoned: There were about 200k fewer abandoned apps in the Apple App Store compared to Q1 2022 (-28%), but 150k+ more abandoned in the Google Play Store (+16%).
- There are more abandoned apps (32%) than apps that have been updated in the last six months (30%).
- Apps registered in Russia and China are the most likely to be abandoned (42%) on the Google Play Store (among the top 12 countries based on number of apps).
- 23% of abandoned apps do not have a detectable privacy policy, compared to just 4% for apps updated in the last six months.
- 14k abandoned apps transmitted geo location in the ad bid stream, according to Pixalate’s data.
37% likely child-directed apps* are abandoned (81k in Google, and 75k in Apple).
Why tracking ‘Abandoned’ Apps important
- “Abandoned” apps may harbor serious privacy and security concerns.
- The most innovative apps regularly release new improved versions with bug fixes and security patches.
- With the growing awareness of consumer privacy concerns, this issue becomes even more important.
- Advertisers need to take notice of how frequently apps are updated before deciding to invest.
Download a free copy of the Abandoned Mobile Apps Report: Q2 2022.
*According to Pixalate’s COPPA methodology for determining the likely audience of an app.
