The mobile gaming industry is set to continue its growth in 2024 after leaving the recession in 2023 behind. Globally, mobile game app installations increased by 4% YoY in 2024, while the number of sessions experienced a limited decrease of 0.6%.
This shows that new strategies to increase user engagement are gaining more weight in the industry. Game developers and marketers who focus on increasing user engagement are reshaping in-app experiences.
Globally, the share of game apps in total revenue increased to 49%. This rate surpassed consoles’ 28% and PC’s 23%. It also maintained its position as the largest category on the App Store and Google Play. While mobile games continue to be the cornerstone of the gaming industry, the growth in the market also revealed regional development differences.
The MENA region led the way in mobile game installations in 2024 with 10%. The LATAM region followed with an 8% growth rate. A similar picture was seen in session increases; MENA increased by 7% and LATAM by 5%. These two regions have come to the forefront with the increased adoption of games and the rise of mobile platforms as the primary choice.
In contrast, both installs and sessions in North America have declined. Installs have decreased by 11% and sessions by 14%. In Europe, installs have decreased by 1% and sessions by 6%. In the APAC region, installs have increased by 4% while sessions have decreased by 3%. This data shows that there are problems with user retention rates in various markets.
In-App Tracking Transparency (ATT) approval rates increased from 37.5% in the first quarter of 2024 to 37.9% in the first quarter of 2025. Arcade games saw the highest increase at 59.3%, while sports games reached 54.1%, action games reached 45.9%, and casino reached 38.3%. Hyper-casual games saw a slight decline. While the MENA region stood out with an approval rate of around 50%, the rate in the US remained stable at 32%.
Performance differences were evident across game categories. Hyper-casual games had the highest global install share in 2024 at 27%. However, the session rate in this category remained at 11%. This difference indicated high churn rates.
Action games, on the other hand, had an install share of only 10% and a session rate of 21%. Users stayed in this genre for longer periods of time. The average session duration reached 45.15 minutes.
Strategy games showed the highest annual install increase at 83%. Casino and arcade games, on the other hand, showed high user engagement with 32% and 23% session increases, respectively. This data showed that users are shifting their preferences to categories that offer longer-term and deeper engagement.
As of 2025, several clear trends stand out in the mobile gaming ecosystem. AI-powered personalization technologies analyze user behavior and instantly shape the gaming experience.
This both increases user loyalty and provides efficiency in terms of lifetime value (LTV). Thanks to cross-platform support, users who switch between mobile, PC and console experiences stay in games for longer. This structure directly affects session duration and revenue potential.
Developers are increasing the variety in their revenue models. In addition to in-app purchases, subscription systems, ad revenues and hybrid monetization methods such as battle passes are used more. There is also a change in user acquisition methods.
Internet-connected television (CTV), influencer marketing and alternative app stores have been added to traditional digital advertising. These channels have transformed the way players encounter new games.
Data in the Mobile Gaming Apps Insights 2025 report published by Adjust reveals that the mobile gaming sector is growing at full speed and is being reshaped by new technologies.
Artificial intelligence deepens the user experience by personalizing it. Increasing adaptation in emerging markets affects the global balances of the sector. All these developments show that competition in the mobile gaming field continues with more sophisticated strategies.
