National App Day

National App Day is the perfect day to celebrate the many amazing apps out there. From apps that help us stay connected to friends and family, to those that let us order groceries from home, stay healthy and fit, and even build successful businesses, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t use apps in some way.

History

National App Day was created by CJ Thompson, director of Platinum Edge Media, and is dedicated to app developers and users alike. Since 2017, apps have been downloaded over 175 million times! It’s likely that this number is even higher now due to ongoing advances in technology and functionality.

The mid-80s saw the release of the Psion Organizer, a primitive yet useful device that included a calculator, text editor, diary, and other functionalities. It helped pave the way for the development of mobile apps. Apple’s App Store, which saw downloads of 10 million apps within the first week of its launch in 2008, initially offered close to 500 different apps.

Interesting Facts

• Steve Jobs initially reacted negatively to third-party apps on the iPhone, believing they weren’t needed to improve the user experience. Art Levinson, a member of Apple’s board, convinced him otherwise.
• The word “app” was the most commonly used word in the United States in 2010.
• The highest download activity is seen in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Entertainment apps—particularly games—remain the most popular type, accounting for around 77% of all downloads.

How to Take Part

Discover new apps on National App Day and share your favorites with your friends. Delete any apps you don’t use to make room for new ones. Don’t forget to leave ratings and praise the developers—it’s the least you can do to show your appreciation!

When is National App Day in 2025?

National App Day is observed on December 11 each year.

Observations