Threads Has Officially Overtaken X in Daily Mobile Users

Threads Overtakes X in Daily Mobile Users as Social Media Habits Shift

Meta’s Threads has reached a major milestone in the ongoing race for social media dominance. New data shows that the app has officially surpassed X (formerly Twitter) in daily mobile users, signaling a notable shift in how people engage with text-based platforms on smartphones.

According to fresh figures from digital market intelligence firm Similarweb, Threads now records approximately 141.5 million daily active mobile users, edging ahead of X, which logs around 125 million across iOS and Android. The data, published in January 2026, points to a steady change in usage patterns rather than a one-off surge driven by a viral moment.

While both platforms remain culturally influential, the numbers highlight the growing importance of mobile-first engagement in shaping the future of social media.

By the Numbers: Threads vs X on Mobile

The comparison focuses strictly on daily active mobile users, measuring how many people open and use each app on smartphones every day. Desktop and web traffic are not included.

• Threads: ~141.5 million daily mobile users

• X: ~125 million daily mobile users

These figures are based on anonymised Android and iOS usage data compiled by Similarweb. Although the gap may seem modest, in a competitive market where daily engagement drives advertising revenue, creator reach, and cultural relevance, even a difference of a few million users can be significant.

Why Threads Is Growing Faster on Mobile

Threads’ rise is closely tied to Meta’s broader ecosystem. From launch, the platform benefited from deep integration with Instagram, allowing users to sign in seamlessly, follow existing contacts, and share posts across apps. This low-friction experience is especially powerful on mobile, where convenience often determines which platforms users return to daily.

Beyond integration, Threads has continued to roll out updates designed to improve everyday use. Enhanced content discovery, improved moderation tools, and the gradual introduction of community-style conversations have all contributed to increased time spent on the app. These changes reinforce Threads’ positioning as a mobile-first social platform.

By contrast, X’s product changes over the past year have not consistently translated into higher mobile engagement. While the platform remains central to real-time discussions and breaking news, its mobile user numbers suggest that many users are now spreading their attention across multiple apps rather than relying on a single hub.

Regional and Behavioural Insights

Similarweb’s data also reflects broader global trends. Mobile phones remain the primary gateway to social media, particularly outside North America and Western Europe. In regions where desktop access is limited, daily mobile users offer a clearer picture of real engagement than total registered accounts.

This distinction matters. Installing an app is easy; opening it every day is a stronger signal of relevance. Threads’ growth suggests it is becoming part of the regular digital routine for millions of users worldwide.

The shift aligns with changing content consumption habits: shorter sessions, frequent check-ins, and algorithm-driven discovery now favor platforms that feel lightweight and familiar on mobile devices. Threads’ design and Instagram integration place it squarely within this pattern.

A Broader Shift in the Social Media Landscape

Threads overtaking X in daily mobile users does not signal the collapse of one platform or the total dominance of another. Instead, it reflects a fragmented social media ecosystem where users maintain multiple accounts for different purposes.

X continues to command strong engagement on the web, particularly around politics, live commentary, and breaking news. At the same time, Threads’ mobile momentum shows how Meta is steadily carving out space in text-based social networking. Alongside emerging platforms such as Bluesky, competition for attention is no longer centered on a single dominant app.

The key takeaway is clear: daily mobile users are becoming the defining metric of platform health. As social media habits continue to evolve, mobile engagement is likely to remain the most reliable indicator of which platforms are truly holding users’ attention day after day.