Global mobile in-app purchase revenue reaches $43.6 billion in Q2 2026

Consumers spent approximately $43.6 billion on mobile in-app purchases during the second quarter of 2026, according to new market data, representing year-on-year growth of roughly 5.3 percent. The broader app ecosystem generated about 36.8 billion downloads during the period, but the mix between games and non-game applications continues to change. Mobile-game downloads were reportedly down around 12 percent year over year while non-gaming downloads increased.

That does not mean mobile gaming is shrinking proportionally in revenue terms. Instead, mature games increasingly monetise established audiences while the acquisition of entirely new players becomes more difficult. India remained an enormous source of installations, with around 6.5 billion app downloads during the quarter. For game publishers, the data reinforces why retention, reactivation and direct-to-consumer sales have become strategically important.

Generating another million installs is less valuable if those players leave immediately, while a smaller long-term audience can produce sustainable revenue for years. The $43.6 billion total also demonstrates how economically significant app payments remain even as regulators and publishers challenge conventional app-store fee structures.