Threads Overtakes X in Daily Mobile Usage, Data Shows
Meta’s Threads has officially surpassed X in daily mobile engagement, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing competition between the two social platforms. New data from market intelligence firm Similarweb confirms that Threads now commands a larger daily active user base on mobile devices than Elon Musk’s platform.
As of January 7, 2026, Threads recorded 141.5 million daily active users across iOS and Android, edging out X, which trailed with 125 million mobile daily users. While X continues to maintain a substantial lead in web-based traffic, the mobile-first nature of modern social consumption highlights a sustained shift in user preference toward the Meta-owned app.
Drivers Behind the Growth
The rise of Threads appears to be rooted in long-term behavioral trends rather than a sudden reaction to recent controversies surrounding X. Meta has aggressively integrated the app into its ecosystem, utilizing cross-promotions on Facebook and Instagram to drive adoption. Additionally, the platform has accelerated its development cycle, introducing several key features to retain users:
- Interest-based community discovery
- Improved content filtering tools
- Direct messaging capabilities
- Support for long-form text and disappearing posts
- Ongoing testing of integrated gaming features
These updates have transformed Threads from a niche alternative into a regular daily habit for millions. Meta previously reported reaching 400 million monthly active users in August 2025, followed by 150 million daily active users in October of the same year, reflecting a consistent growth trajectory.
The Web vs. Mobile Divide
Despite these mobile gains, X remains the dominant force on desktop browsers. Similarweb data from the week of January 13 shows X generating approximately 145.4 million daily web visits, compared to 8.5 million for Threads across its web domains. While X maintains a stronghold in the U.S. web audience, the gap is narrowing compared to previous years.
The transition in mobile usage coincides with increased scrutiny of X’s AI model, Grok. Issues involving the generation of non-consensual deepfake imagery have triggered investigations by regulators in the U.K., the EU, India, Brazil, and California, where the state’s attorney general has launched a formal inquiry into the platform. Amid these developments, other social networking startups, such as Bluesky, have also reported spikes in new app installs.