Top 10 Most Downloaded Apps in Google Play Store (August 2026 Update)

We pulled all-time download data from App Radar to rank the 10 most downloaded apps in Google Play history. The ranking covers unique consumer apps only: no preinstalled system software, OEM-bundled utilities, and lite or business variants of apps already on the list.

Each profile below shows all-time downloads, July 2026 downloads, ratings, and category rankings, plus one signal most download charts never include – how many US keywords each app ranks for in the Play Store.

TL;DR

• WhatsApp Messenger leads Google Play with 12.16 billion all-time downloads, followed by Facebook (11.95B) and Messenger (7.86B).
• Meta publishes the top 4 apps: WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. Combined, they account for 39.6 billion downloads, roughly two-thirds of the entire top 10.
• Google apps are excluded from the ranking: they ship preinstalled on nearly every Android phone, and their counters track device activations more than user choice. Counting them, Google would fill all 10 spots.
• WhatsApp ranks for 91,011 US keywords, the largest keyword footprint on the list, and holds the #1 spot in the Communication category.
• Facebook added 131.5 million downloads in July 2026 alone, the highest monthly total in the top 10.
• Ratings run from Messenger’s 4.71 with only 2% one-star reviews down to Telegram’s 3.85 with 22% one-star reviews, the best and worst scores sitting in the same category.

What are the 10 most downloaded apps in Google Play?

The table below ranks the 10 most downloaded unique consumer apps in Google Play history, based on App Radar all-time download data as of August 2026.

Why are Google apps not on this list?

Google apps account for 59.6% of all-time downloads across Google Play’s top 250 apps: 392.6 billion out of 658.9 billion. Ranked by raw downloads alone, Google would occupy the entire top 10, with YouTube first at 23.1 billion.

Those numbers measure something different from popularity. Google’s core apps ship inside the firmware of nearly every certified Android phone, and during initial device setup Google Play registers them to the account and pulls their first updates. Each new phone adds one more install to the counter, which is how Speech Recognition & Synthesis, an app nobody searches for, reached 22.9 billion downloads. A total like that roughly tracks how many Android devices have ever been activated.

Here is what the raw top 10 looks like with preinstalled apps included:

The line is not perfectly clean for our main ranking either. Facebook, Netflix, and Spotify come preloaded on some phones through carrier and OEM deals, and LinkedIn ships on certain Samsung models. The bulk of their installs is still organic, which is why they stay on the list, while apps distributed mainly through preinstallation, such as Microsoft’s Office suite on Samsung devices, do not stay on the list.

App #1 - WhatsApp Messenger (WhatsApp LLC)

WhatsApp Messenger is a free messaging and video calling app used by over 2 billion people in more than 180 countries. All chats and calls are end-to-end encrypted.

• Total all-time downloads: 12.16 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 91.4 million
• App category: Communication
• App seller: WhatsApp LLC
• Average rating: 4.63 stars
• Number of ratings: 240.8 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 91,011

WhatsApp currently ranks for 91,011 US keywords, the largest keyword footprint in this top 10, while running the shortest store listing of the group: an 18-character name, a 3-word short description, and a 2,277-character long description. Brand searches do most of the work at this scale. The app holds the #1 spot in the US Communication category, and its 240.8 million ratings average 4.63 stars.

Want to see this data for your own app? App Radar tracks keyword rankings, download trends, and competitor store listings across Google Play and the App Store. Start for free and pull up any app’s ASO profile in minutes.

App #2 - Facebook (Meta Platforms)

Facebook is Meta’s original social network, built around the Feed, Groups, Marketplace, and Reels. It launched in 2004 and remains the largest social platform in the world.

• Total all-time downloads: 11.95 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 131.5 million
• App category: Social
• App seller: Meta Platforms, Inc.
• Average rating: 4.56 stars
• Number of ratings: 184.5 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 70,136

Facebook added 131.5 million downloads in July 2026, the highest monthly total on this list. The app ranks for 70,136 US keywords, second among the social apps here, and currently sits at #3 in the US Social category behind TikTok and Instagram. Meta keeps in-app events running in the listing almost continuously as store promotional content.

App #3 - Messenger (Meta Platforms)

Messenger is Meta’s standalone chat app, split off from Facebook in 2014. It covers text, voice, and video calls, and no longer requires a phone number to connect with Facebook friends.

• Total all-time downloads: 7.86 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 35.3 million
• App category: Communication
• App seller: Meta Platforms, Inc.
• Average rating: 4.71 stars
• Number of ratings: 113.4 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 49,174

Messenger has the best reputation in the top 10: a 4.71 average across 113.4 million ratings, with one-star reviews at just 2%. It also added 1,703 ranked keywords in the last 30 days, one of the biggest gains here, and sits at #3 in the US Communication category behind WhatsApp.

App #4 - Instagram (Meta Platforms)

Instagram is Meta’s photo and video sharing app, now centered on Reels, Stories, and creator content. Meta acquired it in 2012, two years after the app first launched on iOS.

• Total all-time downloads: 7.64 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 75.6 million
• App category: Social
• App seller: Instagram (Meta)
• Average rating: 3.99 stars
• Number of ratings: 168.7 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 63,247

Instagram carries 31.5 million one-star ratings, 18.7% of its total and the largest volume of negative reviews in this ranking. It is also the only app in the top 10 that lost keyword visibility over the last 30 days, down 1,062 ranked keywords. The app still holds #2 in the US Social category and ran multiple in-app events in July 2026, more store promotional activity than any other app on the list.

App #5 - TikTok (TikTok Pte. Ltd.)

TikTok is a short-video platform built around the For You feed, expanded over the years into LIVE streaming, shopping, and music discovery. It reached the top 10 faster than any other app here.

• Total all-time downloads: 4.59 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 57.0 million
• App category: Social
• App seller: TikTok Pte. Ltd.
• Average rating: 3.99 stars
• Number of ratings: 69.6 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 69,250

TikTok is the youngest app in the top 10 and the only non-Meta app in the top 5. Its store listing is the most built-out in the group: a 3,544-character long description, a 28-character name that nearly maxes out the limit, and 949 distinct keywords in the description text. The app ranks for 69,250 US keywords, second only to WhatsApp, and holds #1 in the US Social category.

App #6 - Snapchat (Snap Inc)

Snapchat is a camera-first messaging app built on disappearing photos, AR Lenses, and the Snap Map. It remains one of the few large social platforms outside the Meta family.

• Total all-time downloads: 4.20 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 44.5 million
• App category: Communication
• App seller: Snap Inc
• Average rating: 4.22 stars
• Number of ratings: 39.7 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 45,884

Snapchat ranks #2 in the US Communication category, ahead of Messenger and behind only WhatsApp. Its 4.22 average across 39.7 million ratings beats every non-Meta app here except Spotify, and the listing runs a steady stream of in-app events, including seasonal campaigns like International Friendship Day.

App #7 - Netflix (Netflix, Inc.)

Netflix is the only pure entertainment app in the top 10. The Android app streams series, films, live events, and a growing catalog of mobile games included with every subscription.

• Total all-time downloads: 3.53 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 31.0 million
• App category: Entertainment
• App seller: Netflix, Inc.
• Average rating: 3.98 stars
• Number of ratings: 15.4 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 35,761

Netflix ranks for 35,761 US keywords, the smallest keyword footprint in the top 10, and currently sits at #9 in the US Entertainment category, the lowest category rank on this list. A subscription business wins most of its customers outside the store, on TV screens and billboards rather than in Play Store search results, and the numbers reflect exactly that.

App #8 - Spotify (Spotify AB)

Spotify is the leading music and podcast streaming app, with audiobooks now folded into the catalog. The free ad-supported tier lets anyone install the app and start listening without paying.

• Total all-time downloads: 3.07 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 37.3 million
• App category: Music & Audio
• App seller: Spotify AB
• Average rating: 4.34 stars
• Number of ratings: 36.1 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 53,579

Spotify holds the #1 spot in the US Music & Audio category. Its store listing uses nearly every character Google Play allows: a 79-character short description against an 80-character limit, a 3,868-character long description, and 1,049 distinct keywords in the description text, the most of any app in this ranking. The app ranks for 53,579 US keywords, and its 4.34 rating is the highest among the non-Meta apps here.

App #9 - Telegram (Telegram FZ-LLC)

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app known for speed, large group chats of up to 200,000 members, and an open API. Its store listing claims over 1 billion active users.

• Total all-time downloads: 2.93 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 32.6 million
• App category: Communication
• App seller: Telegram FZ-LLC
• Average rating: 3.85 stars
• Number of ratings: 17.1 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 52,376

Telegram has the lowest average rating in the top 10 at 3.85, with one-star reviews making up 22% of its 17.1 million ratings. Its direct rival Messenger scores 4.71 with 2% one-star reviews, the widest reputation gap between two same-category apps in this ranking. The keyword picture looks better: Telegram added 1,614 ranked keywords over the last 30 days and sits at #4 in the US Communication category.

App #10 - LinkedIn (LinkedIn)

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, covering job search, recruiting, and business content. Microsoft has owned the platform since 2016.

• Total all-time downloads: 2.39 billion
• July 2026 downloads: 29.2 million
• App category: Business
• App seller: LinkedIn
• Average rating: 3.91 stars
• Number of ratings: 3.5 million
• Ranked keywords (US): 49,692

LinkedIn is the only Business-category app in the top 10 and the fastest keyword climber on the list, up 2,243 ranked US keywords in the last 30 days to reach 49,692. With 3.5 million ratings against 2.39 billion downloads, it collects roughly 1 rating per 680 downloads. WhatsApp, for comparison, collects about 1 per 50, so LinkedIn users install the app but rarely stop to rate it.

What do the most downloaded Google Play apps have in common?

Communication and social apps fill 8 of the 10 spots. Netflix and Spotify are the only entries whose main job is consumption rather than connection, and even those two hold strong positions in their categories. Every app on the list is free to install, and every one of them makes money through ads, subscriptions, or both rather than paid downloads.

Meta dominates the ranking. WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram add up to 39.6 billion downloads, roughly two-thirds of the top 10’s combined 60.3 billion, and those 4 apps alone added 333.8 million downloads in July 2026.

Keyword visibility does not follow download counts. Netflix, with 3.53 billion downloads, ranks for less than 40% of the keywords WhatsApp does, while TikTok compensates for its shorter history with the most detailed store listing in the group. Ratings spread just as wide, from Messenger’s 4.71 down to Telegram’s 3.85 within the same category.

Quick round of questions and answers

What is the most downloaded app on Google Play?

WhatsApp Messenger is the most downloaded consumer app on Google Play, with 12.16 billion all-time downloads according to App Radar data from August 2026. Counting preinstalled system apps, YouTube leads with 23.11 billion downloads.

What is the most downloaded app in the world?

YouTube holds the highest raw download total on Google Play at 23.11 billion, but the number largely reflects preinstallation on Android devices. Among apps users choose to install, WhatsApp Messenger leads with 12.16 billion downloads.

Which company has the most downloaded apps on Google Play?

Google leads by raw volume, accounting for 59.6% of all-time downloads across Google Play’s top 250 apps thanks to preinstalled system software. Among consumer app publishers, Meta leads with the 4 most downloaded apps on Google Play: WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram.

What is the most downloaded game on Google Play?

Subway Surfers is the most downloaded game in Google Play history, with over 2.65 billion downloads. The full ranking is covered in our list of the most downloaded games in Google Play.

How many downloads does the average top 10 app have?

The 10 most downloaded consumer apps on Google Play average 6.03 billion all-time downloads each, ranging from LinkedIn’s 2.39 billion to WhatsApp’s 12.16 billion. Together they account for 60.3 billion downloads.