Meta Platforms Inc.’s Threads has overtaken Elon Musk-owned X in daily mobile users, marking a notable shift in the global social media landscape as X grapples with mounting regulatory and ethical scrutiny.
According to data from Similarweb cited by TechCrunch, Threads recorded 141.5 million daily active mobile users across iOS and Android as of January 7, 2026, surpassing X, which stood at 125 million daily active mobile users. The figures highlight Threads’ growing traction on smartphones, even as X continues to maintain a strong presence on desktop web.
Despite losing ground on mobile, X still dominates web-based usage. Similarweb data shows X attracting 434.1 million monthly new website users globally, compared with Threads’ 737,505 monthly new users. Threads remains largely an app-first platform, while X continues to benefit from its long-established web ecosystem.
TechCrunch noted that the rise in Threads’ mobile usage reflects a longer-term adoption trend, rather than a short-term reaction to controversies surrounding X. However, the timing coincides with intensified scrutiny of X’s AI chatbot, Grok, which has been accused of generating and circulating non-consensual sexualised images of women and content that appeared to involve minors. The controversy has prompted the California attorney general to open an investigation into the chatbot’s use and safeguards.
Amid these developments, rival microblogging platforms are also seeing increased interest. Bluesky, positioned as an alternative to X, recorded a sharp spike in iOS downloads as reports of AI-generated deepfakes on X began to surface, according to Appfigures.
The contrast between X and Threads is particularly stark in India. Similarweb data for October to December 2025 shows X accounting for 99.9% of social microblogging web traffic in the country, while Threads — which does not yet offer a full web experience — commands just 0.1%.
Meta has aggressively promoted Threads through cross-posting and integration with Facebook and Instagram, enabling the platform to scale rapidly. In October 2025, Meta said Threads had crossed 150 million daily active users globally, driven by frequent feature updates and deeper integration across its social platforms.
While X remains dominant on the web, Threads’ lead in mobile usage underscores changing user behaviour and signals intensifying competition in the microblogging space, particularly as concerns around AI safety and content moderation continue to shape platform choices.
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