App Store developer earnings surpass $70 billion

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Downloads have grown 70 percent over the last year.
Downloads have grown 70 percent over the last year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Developers have now earned over $70 billion from the App Store since it opened its doors in 2008. Apple says downloads have grown over 70 percent in the last year alone, thanks in part to “breakout hits” like Pokémon GO and Super Mario Run.

When iPhone made its debut in 2007, there were no native third-party apps; Steve Jobs wanted us to rely on web apps and the few titles that came pre-installed with what was then called iPhone OS. He later changed his mind, and in 2008, Apple gave us the App Store.

It launched on July 10 with 500 titles, which seemed impressive at the time, and the iPhone became an even more appealing device. Almost nine years later, the App Store is home to over 2.2 million titles and growing even more popular by the day.

Apple today announced that it has now paid out over $70 billion in revenue to iOS developers, while downloads have grown over 70 percent in the last 12 months alone.

“People everywhere love apps and our customers are downloading them in record numbers,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“Seventy billion dollars earned by developers is simply mind-blowing. We are amazed at all of the great new apps our developers create and can’t wait to see them again next week at our Worldwide Developers Conference.”

Given than Apple takes a 30 percent cut of every penny a developer makes, overall App Store revenue will have now surpassed $100 billion. During its last earnings call, Apple revealed App Store revenue grew 40 percent year-over-year.

The Gaming and Entertainment categories remain top dog — thanks to titles like those mentioned above — while lifestyle apps have grown 70 percent in the last year. The Photo and Video category is up a whipping 90 percent.

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