Threads Pulls Ahead of X in Global Daily Mobile Users

Threads has passed X in daily mobile active users around the world. The Meta-owned app hit 320 million active users by January 2026, while X saw its numbers fall. This shift comes from Threads' steady growth and X's struggles with user retention and ad losses.

Background

Threads launched in 2023 as a text-based app tied to Instagram. It started as a response to X's changes under new ownership. Early on, Threads drew millions quickly, reaching 100 million sign-ups in days. But daily use took time to build.

X, once known as Twitter, has been the main spot for short posts and real-time talk since 2006. After Elon Musk bought it in 2022, the platform saw big shifts in rules, staff cuts, and fights with advertisers. Users started looking elsewhere. Threads filled that gap with a familiar feel from Instagram.

By mid-2025, Threads showed real speed. In June, it had 151.1 million daily mobile users, up 127.8% from the year before. X dropped to 132 million in the same measure, down 15.2%. The apps swapped leads a few times through late 2025. On September 5, Threads took the top spot for the first time with 128.7 million daily mobile users against X's 127.1 million.

Growth kept going into late 2025 and early 2026. Threads added over 30 million users in December 2025 alone. X's daily active users fell 11.9% year-over-year in January 2026. Threads jumped 38% in the same period. Monthly active users on Threads reached 350 million by early 2026, from 320 million just months earlier.

Key Details

User Numbers and Platforms

Worldwide, Threads now leads in mobile daily active users. As of recent checks, Threads hit higher marks on iOS too, with 62.5 million daily users against X's 56.6 million. Android time spent is lower on Threads—34 minutes per month versus over five hours on X—but it's rising fast, up 50% in recent months.

In the U.S., X still holds a small edge with 21.2 million daily mobile users to Threads' 19.5 million. Web use tells another story. X gets 145.8 million daily web users, while Threads has just 6.9 million. Threads built itself for phones first, with web added later.

Threads lets posts go up to 500 characters and includes 10 media items per thread. X sticks to 280 characters and four media per post. These differences help Threads keep talks going longer.

Growth Drivers

Meta pushes Threads hard inside Instagram. Users see prompts to join right in their feeds. This cross-promotion brings in steady traffic. The app rolls out features fast, like music sharing and better tools for clear posts.

X deals with backlash over content rules and leadership moves. Ad money fell to $2.5 billion in 2024, down 13.7% from before. Brands pull back, seeing Threads as safer for ads. Meta opened global ads on Threads after tests in the U.S. and Japan.

"Threads' growth shows people want a stable place for talks without the drama," said a Meta spokesperson.

Other apps like Bluesky grow too, up 372.5% year-over-year, but stay small at 4.1 million daily mobile users.

What This Means

Threads' lead in mobile daily users points to big changes in social media. Mobile is where most people log on now, so this matters for reach and money. Meta eyes ad growth, with Threads popular in high-spend spots like the U.S. and Japan. Projections see it pulling in strong revenue as users stick around.

X keeps strengths in web traffic and U.S. mobile use. Users there spend more time overall. But global mobile shifts favor Threads. If trends hold, Threads could take more ground soon.

Advertisers watch close. X's ad woes push money to Threads. Meta's full ecosystem—Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp—gives it tools X lacks. Brands test Threads for better returns.

Users pick based on ease and feel. Threads offers calm talks linked to photos and stories from Instagram. X stays raw and fast, drawing news breakers and debates. Both pull crowds, but Threads gains steady.

Competition heats up. Threads went from zero to leader in under three years. X's long run faces new tests. Daily mobile users shape who wins eyes and dollars next.