SensorTowerThe Top Mobile Apps, Games, and Publishers of Q1 2018: Sensor Tower's Data Digest
Summary
In Q1 2018, global mobile app installs on Apple's App Store and Google Play grew 7.6% to 25.4 billion, with first-time downloads on the App Store outpacing Google Play (13% vs 5.4%). Netflix led worldwide app revenue, while Facebook-owned apps dominated installs. TikTok became the No.
1 iOS app in Asia. In gaming, Tencent's PUBG Mobile was the most installed game, and Honor of Kings led game revenue. Tencent also led overall mobile app revenue and mobile game revenue, while IAC (Tinder owner) led non-game app revenue.
Facebook was top for overall and non-game downloads, while Tencent led game installs.
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AdjustMeasure installs across more app stores | Adjust
Adjust has expanded store detection and verification across multiple app storefronts, making Store Type the primary dimension for identifying where an install originated rather than relying on platform or OS alone. For ad ops teams, this means campaign performance can now be analyzed at the store level across Huawei AppGallery, Xiaomi GetApps, Samsung Galaxy Store, Vivo Appstore, and Google Play variants, with independent verification of install origin. Newly detected stores are flagged in AppView with a direct route to configuration, and store-level data flows automatically into reporting, raw data, callbacks, and CSV exports, plus Conversion Rules via Store Rule conditions.
SensorTowerTop 10 Worldwide Mobile Games By Revenue and Downloads in September 2026
September mobile gaming softened overall but delivered clear live-ops wins. Global consumer spending hit $6.13B, down 7% MoM, with the US at 28.7%, China iOS 15.7%, and Japan 12.4%. Downloads reached 3.56B, down 5.2%, led by India at 16.2%. ROBLOX topped downloads and revenue growth; Honor of Kings stayed strong via seasonal content; Candy Crush and Pokémon GO used music, celebrity, and event-driven engagement. For ad ops, prioritize event-aligned UA/retargeting, IP collaborations, seasonal battle passes, and localized creatives for US/India/Brazil. Monitor launch spikes from Bus Fever Party!, Honor of Kings Chess, and Brain Puzzle 3 to time bids and creative refreshes.
AdjustJapan’s finance app growth in 2026 | Adjust
Japan's finance app category is outperforming, with H1 2026 installs up 8% YoY and sessions up 40%—nearly 5x the install growth and well ahead of global figures (5% and 29%). Stock trading is the standout subvertical: installs +90% YoY and average session length climbing to 11.7 minutes, driven by NISA reforms and a retail investor resurgence. Retention is improving across the full 30-day curve (D1 17% to 19%, D30 7% to 8%). For ad ops teams, the takeaway is clear: prioritize measurement depth, re-engagement, and channel-level quality over top-of-funnel volume alone.
AppsFlyerWeb Gaming: The untapped path to lower CPI and boost ROAS
Mobile CPI and app store fees are eroding ROAS, making web gaming a viable acquisition channel. Full Unity-to-HTML5 ports now deliver 30-50% lower CAC and avoid 15-30% store revenue cuts via web payments. Measurement parity is here: AppsFlyer enables independent attribution, conversion signals, and unified reporting. Retention can improve; one strategy title jumped from 6-7 minutes mobile to 70+ minutes web. Best fit: deep RPG, strategy, puzzle, story games, not hypercasual. Action: audit catalog, pilot web ports, link accounts cross-platform, and use owned media to drive high-intent web users.
SensorTowerARKit-only Apps Surpass 13 Million Downloads in First Six Months, Nearly Half from Games
ARKit-only apps on iOS have surpassed 13 million installs since Sep 2017. Games lead with 47% share, followed by Utilities and Lifestyle. Top apps include AR Dragon, CamToPlan Pro, and The Machines.
AdjustHalloween app trends: Insights for your 2026 campaign | Adjust
Adjust's Halloween 2025 data across six weeks shows the holiday window opens well before October 31 and differs by category and market. Entertainment installs peaked the weekend before Halloween (up 42–44% vs. summer baseline), with OTT/streaming and video content installs up 120% on October 25 and 300% YoY. Photo and video sessions instead spiked on Halloween night itself (+6% global vs. the four prior Fridays; Canada +15%, Germany +13%, U.K. +11%, U.S. +9%, Mexico +7%). Single global send dates miss market-level peaks, so ad ops should time creative, push, and budget shifts per market—especially in Mexico, where activity runs through Día de los Muertos.
AppsFlyerCreative optimization: Why your best video ad fails as a static image
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SensorTowerPokémon GO Revenue Hits $1.8 Billion on Its Two Year Launch Anniversary
Pokémon GO earned $1.8 billion in two years, averaging $2M daily. Top markets: US (34%) and Japan (28%). Google Play leads revenue (58%). Ranks No. 9 in June 2018, with planned China launch.
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