Apple App Store sees AI‑driven surge in new apps as downloads stall

AI‑powered “vibecoding” tools are enabling people without programming skills to create and publish mobile applications on Apple’s App Store. The resulting influx has lifted the number of new apps by about 30 % last year to roughly 600 000, and the first half of 2026 saw almost double that amount, with an estimated 560 000 new submissions.

Despite the flood of new apps, total downloads have risen only modestly – about 3 % year‑on‑year to 35.4 billion last year and just 2 % to 17.6 billion in the first half of this year. Developers such as Marco Pérez, a former Chicago software engineer, have released modestly successful apps (InfoDrizzle: 1,300 downloads, $500 profit; Stampa: 20 000 downloads, $3 000 profit). Apple reports that 90 % of submissions are reviewed within 48 hours, but the surge is putting pressure on its review process.

The rapid increase in app supply without a matching rise in demand raises questions about future revenue for Apple, which takes a 15‑30 % commission on app sales and in‑app purchases, and could impact the overall quality and discoverability of apps on the platform.