Google Play Store's app count plummeted by approximately 47% in 2024, dropping from 3.4 million to 1.8 million apps. This contrasts with Apple's App Store, which saw a slight increase. Google attributes the decline to stricter app quality standards implemented in July 2024, targeting low-quality, spammy, and non-functional apps. These new policies, along with increased verification and human review, resulted in blocking millions of policy-violating apps and thousands of developer accounts. While the EU's new trader status rule may have played a minor role, Google's proactive measures appear to be the primary driver of the significant app reduction.

Prepared by Jonathan Pierce and reviewed by editorial team.