Published on June 10th, 2025
The mobile app landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, with surprising winners emerging in unexpected categories. Our latest analysis reveals fascinating insights that could reshape how developers approach app creation and monetization in 2025.
From a $40 million storage cleaner market that’s flying under the radar to AI apps revolutionizing content consumption, May 2025 delivered some remarkable developments that every app developer, marketer, and industry observer should know about.
The $40 Million Secret: Storage Cleaner Apps Are Printing Money
An Overlooked Goldmine in Plain Sight
While everyone’s talking about AI and social media apps, there’s a quiet revolution happening in the storage cleaner category. This unassuming market generated nearly $40 million in revenue last month alone – far exceeding industry expectations.
Here’s what makes this opportunity particularly attractive:
- 1,500+ apps compete across both app stores
- 95% of revenue comes from iOS users
- 161 apps earned at least $1,000 monthly
- 42 apps crossed the $100,000 threshold
- 7 apps generated over $1 million each
Why iOS Dominates This Space
The revenue concentration on iOS isn’t accidental. Android devices come equipped with built-in storage management features, while iPhone users rely on third-party solutions. This creates a classic market opportunity that mirrors the early success of QR code scanner apps.
Key insight: When Android offers native functionality but iOS doesn’t, savvy developers can capitalize on the gap.
The Competition Landscape
Despite intense competition, success remains achievable. Top performers like Cleanup, Cleaner Guru, and AI Cleaner collectively earned $197 million in 2024 and are projected to double that figure in 2025.
The secret to success? A dual approach:
- Apple Ads campaigns targeting thousands of keywords
- Strong organic rankings through strategic app store optimization
- Strategic naming that captures search intent
Read More: 5 Benefits Of Using Mobile Apps In Education
Google’s NotebookLM Goes Mobile: 1 Million Downloads in 10 Days
The AI Tool That Turns Text Into Podcasts
Google’s NotebookLM has achieved something remarkable – transforming written documents into realistic-sounding podcasts. After operating as a web-only platform, the company quietly launched a mobile version that immediately caught fire.
Performance highlights:
- 1 million downloads in just 10 days
- 1.3 million total installs and growing
- Balanced adoption across iOS and Android
- Global appeal with strong performance in the US, Japan, and India
What Sets NotebookLM Apart
Unlike ChatGPT, Claude, or other general AI assistants, NotebookLM occupies a unique niche. It specializes in document-to-audio conversion, offering practical applications for:
- Knowledge base narration
- Technical article consumption
- Educational content delivery
- Accessibility improvements
As voice-based AI features become increasingly competitive, NotebookLM’s head start in this specialized area positions it well for future growth.
Nintendo Switch 2 App Downloads Surge 277% on Launch Day
When Better Features Drive Real Results
Nintendo’s approach to companion apps offers valuable lessons in user experience improvement. The original Nintendo Switch Online app, launched in 2017, was functional but clunky. Despite its limitations, it accumulated 39 million downloads over its lifetime.
The Game-Changing Redesign
For the Switch 2 launch, Nintendo completely overhauled the experience:
New features include:
- Automatic screenshot uploads
- Friend status and play history tracking
- Integrated voice/video chat via controller
- Game-specific sidekick features for popular titles
- Streamlined user interface
The results speak volumes:
- 49,000 downloads on launch day (June 5th)
- 277% increase from the previous day
- 123,000 downloads in the week leading to launch
- Higher than Christmas Day downloads in 7 of the past 8 years
Market Impact Beyond Gaming
The success demonstrates how thoughtful feature additions can dramatically boost user adoption. In Japan, the app jumped to #77 overall and #10 in Entertainment, while reaching #188 overall in the US market.
Global App Download Recovery: The Numbers Tell a Story
ChatGPT Maintains Its Crown
For the second consecutive month, ChatGPT claimed the title of most downloaded app worldwide, reaching 50 million devices in May. This achievement is particularly impressive given the increasingly competitive AI landscape.
Top 5 most downloaded apps globally:
- ChatGPT – 50 million downloads
- Instagram – 42 million downloads
- TikTok – 40 million downloads
- Facebook – Strong performance continues
- WhatsApp – Consistent growth trajectory
The Communication App Dominance
A striking pattern emerges when examining the top 10: only two apps (Temu and CapCut) aren’t primarily designed for communication or chatting. This trend highlights users’ fundamental need for connection and conversation tools.
Total impact: The top 10 apps collectively reached 313 million devices, representing a 4% increase from April and marking a positive reversal of the declining download trend.
Read More: The Best Ways To Monetize Mobile Apps
Revenue Surge: Apps Earn More While Downloads Plateau
The $1.4 Billion Success Story
May 2025 revealed a fascinating market dynamic: while downloads remained relatively stable, revenue exploded upward by 17% month-over-month.
Revenue leaders:
- TikTok: $380 million (adding $51 million in new revenue)
- ChatGPT: $180 million (22% increase from April)
- YouTube: $142 million (8% growth)
- Tinder & Disney+: Maintaining strong positions
What This Trend Means for Developers
The revenue-download divergence signals a maturing market where users are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for quality experiences. This shift benefits developers who focus on:
- Subscription-based models over one-time purchases
- Premium features that justify higher price points
- User retention rather than just acquisition
- Value-driven experiences that command loyalty
Key Takeaways for App Developers and Marketers
Opportunity Identification
The storage cleaner market exemplifies how overlooked niches can generate substantial revenue. Successful developers should:
- Research platform gaps where one OS offers native features but another doesn’t
- Analyze revenue distribution across different platforms
- Consider specialized markets rather than only following mainstream trends
Marketing Strategy Evolution
Success in today’s app market requires a comprehensive approach:
- Combine organic and paid strategies for maximum visibility
- Invest in App Store Optimization alongside advertising campaigns
- Focus on user experience improvements that drive genuine engagement
- Target specific geographic markets where your app category performs well
Future-Proofing Your App Business
The rapid success of apps like NotebookLM and the Nintendo Switch companion demonstrates the importance of:
- Specialization over generalization in crowded markets
- Feature innovation that addresses real user pain points
- Cross-platform consistency while leveraging platform-specific advantages
- Timing market entry with hardware launches or industry shifts
The Road Ahead: What to Watch in 2025
As we move deeper into 2025, several trends are worth monitoring:
AI Integration: Beyond chatbots, specialized AI tools like NotebookLM show the potential for niche applications that solve specific problems.
Platform Arbitrage: The iOS-Android feature gap continues to create opportunities for developers who can identify and exploit these differences.
Revenue Optimization: The increasing revenue-per-download ratio suggests users are becoming more discerning but also more willing to pay for quality.
Hardware Synergy: Nintendo’s success demonstrates how software can amplify hardware launches when executed thoughtfully.
The mobile app industry’s evolution continues to surprise and reward those who look beyond surface trends to identify genuine opportunities. Whether you’re a developer seeking your next project or a marketer planning campaign strategies, these insights provide a roadmap for navigating the complex but rewarding app ecosystem of 2025.
Read More: 7 Trends In The Fast-Growing Mobile Apps Market
Mobile App Industry Q&A
Revenue & Market Trends
Q: Which mobile apps made the most money in May 2025?
A: TikTok led with $380M in net revenue, followed by ChatGPT ($180M) and YouTube ($142M). The top 10 apps generated $1.4B collectively, marking a 17% month-over-month increase despite declining download numbers.
Q: Are mobile app downloads increasing or decreasing in 2025?
A: Downloads are trending downward overall, but May 2025 showed a 4% recovery compared to April. The top 10 most downloaded apps reached 313M devices, bucking the declining trend as summer approaches.
Q: What’s the current state of AI app revenue?
A: ChatGPT has solidified its position as the second-highest earning app globally with $180M in May 2025, representing a 22% increase from April. It’s also the most downloaded app worldwide for two consecutive months.
Specific App Categories
Q: How profitable are storage cleaner apps for iOS developers?
A: Storage cleaner apps generated nearly $40M in revenue last month, with over 95% coming from iOS. 161 apps earned at least $1,000, 42 earned over $100K, and 7 earned over $1M. The top performers are projected to double their 2024 revenue of $197M.
Q: Why do storage cleaner apps make more money on iOS than Android?
A: Android devices come with built-in storage cleaning features, while iOS lacks native photo organization tools. This creates a significant opportunity for iOS developers, similar to how QR code scanners thrived on iOS before becoming native.
Q: How successful was Google’s NotebookLM mobile app launch?
A: NotebookLM reached 1 million downloads within 10 days of its mobile launch and currently sits on 1.3M devices. Downloads were balanced between iOS and Android, with the US leading followed by Japan and India.
Gaming & Hardware
Q: How is the Nintendo Switch 2 affecting app downloads?
A: The Nintendo Switch companion app saw explosive growth, with downloads jumping 277% to 49K on launch day (June 5th). The week leading to launch saw 123K downloads, up 116% from the previous week, exceeding Christmas Day downloads from seven of the past eight years.
Q: What new features does the Nintendo Switch 2 app offer?
A: The revamped app includes automatic screenshot uploads, friend status tracking, play history, and sidekick features for games like Zelda titles. Voice and video chat are now integrated directly into the Switch 2’s operating system.
Social Media & Communication
Q: Which social media apps are most popular for downloads in 2025?
A: ChatGPT leads with 50M downloads, followed by Instagram (42M) and TikTok (40M). Interestingly, only two apps in the top 10 (Temu and CapCut) aren’t primarily for communication or chatting.
Q: How is TikTok performing financially compared to other platforms?
A: TikTok remains the highest-earning mobile app globally, adding $51M in new revenue in May 2025 to reach $380M total. This significantly outpaces YouTube ($142M) and other social platforms.
Industry Insights
Q: What makes a successful storage cleaning app in 2025?
A: Success requires both App Store Optimization and paid advertising. Top earners run Apple Ads campaigns targeting thousands of keywords while also ranking organically for thousands of terms. Competition is fierce but profitable niches still exist.
Q: What’s the revenue vs. download trend in mobile apps?
A: There’s a clear divergence: downloads are declining while revenue increases. This suggests users are spending more money on fewer, higher-quality apps, with subscription and premium models driving growth.
Q: How competitive is the AI app market in 2025?
A: While ChatGPT dominates, competition is intensifying. Claude and Grok are pushing voice features, and NotebookLM has carved out a unique niche in document-to-podcast conversion. The market shows room for specialized AI tools beyond general chatbots.
Developer Opportunities
Q: What app categories offer the best opportunities for indie developers in 2025?
A: Storage cleaning apps on iOS present significant opportunities, with proven demand and revenue potential. Categories where Android has native features but iOS doesn’t (like photo organization) represent particular opportunities for developers.
Q: Is it worth entering the competitive storage cleaner market?
A: Despite intense competition, many apps still generate substantial revenue. The key is finding the right positioning and marketing approach, as users often download the first app they see due to low brand loyalty in this category.
