Meta Platforms’ social media app Threads has surpassed Elon Musk-owned X in daily mobile usage, according to new data from market intelligence firm Similarweb, signalling a shift in how users engage with the rival platforms.
Similarweb data shows that as of January 7, 2026, Threads recorded about 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android, compared with 125 million daily mobile users on X. While X continues to dominate web usage, Threads’ mobile app has seen steady growth over the past several months.
The trend appears to reflect longer-term user behavior rather than a short-term reaction to recent controversies surrounding X. In recent weeks, the platform has faced scrutiny after users were found using its integrated AI tool, Grok, to generate non-consensual nude images, including of minors. The issue has prompted investigations by California’s attorney general, alongside probes in the UK, European Union, India, Brazil, and other regions.
The controversies have also driven increased app installs for rival social networking platform Bluesky, according to industry trackers.
However, analysts suggest Threads’ rising mobile engagement is largely driven by Meta’s ecosystem advantages. The app benefits from cross-promotion on Facebook and Instagram, a strong focus on creators, and a rapid rollout of new features. Over the past year, Threads has introduced interest-based communities, improved content filters, direct messaging, long-form posts, disappearing content, and has recently been spotted testing in-app games.
Together, these updates appear to be encouraging more habitual use of Threads on mobile devices.
Meta said in August 2025 that Threads had surpassed 400 million monthly active users, and later reported in October that the platform had reached 150 million daily active users. Similarweb previously noted that Threads was narrowing the gap with X on mobile after recording 127.8% year-on-year growth by mid-2025.
Despite Threads’ gains, X remains stronger on the web. Similarweb estimates that X currently attracts about 145 million daily web visits, compared with roughly 8.5 million daily visits across Threads.com and Threads.net combined. In the United States, X still leads Threads in daily active users, though the gap has continued to shrink over the past year.
