Elon Musk’s social media platform X is facing mounting challenges as new data reveals a steep decline in Android downloads, raising fresh concerns about the company’s subscription revenue and overall growth trajectory. According to app analytics firm Appfigures, X experienced a staggering 44% year-over-year drop in new installs on Google Play in July 2025. The downturn was so severe that it dragged down the platform’s overall mobile performance despite growth elsewhere.
When combining both iOS and Android, the platform’s total installs were down 26% compared to last year. While this marked a slight recovery from June’s alarming 35% decline, the negative trend continues to weigh heavily on X’s growth strategy.
Interestingly, Apple’s App Store painted a very different picture. Downloads on iOS actually rose 15% year-over-year in July, providing a much-needed cushion for the company and easing some of the broader concerns about user growth.
Android app troubles at the core
The sharp Android slump appears linked to the platform’s troubled app performance. For years, X’s Android app has been criticized by users as buggy, unstable, and crash-prone, driving frustration among its core audience.
Acknowledging these issues, X’s newly appointed head of product, Nikita Bier, has pledged major changes. Bier, best known for creating viral apps such as Gas and TBH, announced the formation of an “Android Dream Team” dedicated to rebuilding the app from the ground up. In a recent update, Bier also noted that the iOS app had “a record week in installs,” suggesting the company is keen to highlight its brighter spots amid ongoing turbulence.
Rivals gaining mixed traction
Speculation has grown that disillusioned Android users may be migrating to competitors. However, the numbers tell a mixed story. Bluesky, a decentralized alternative, recorded just 119,000 downloads on Google Play in July, far below X’s scale. Meanwhile, Meta’s Threads has steadily grown its daily active users, raising concerns that it could be quietly chipping away at X’s mobile engagement.
Revenue under pressure
The Android slowdown also poses risks to X’s subscription business. In July, the platform generated $16.9 million in net revenue — marginally up from June’s $16.8 million but still below the March peak of $18.8 million. With downloads sliding and competition intensifying, analysts warn that sustaining subscription momentum could become increasingly difficult for Musk’s platform.
