Threads Overtakes X in Global Mobile Usage—Here’s What Changed
In a major shift for the social media landscape, Meta’s Threads has officially surpassed X (formerly Twitter) in daily mobile usage worldwide. As of early January 2026, Threads logged 141.5 million daily active mobile users across iOS and Android, outpacing X’s 125 million, according to market intelligence firm Similarweb. The crossover didn’t happen overnight—it followed months of steady growth for Threads and a sharp decline for X, especially in key markets like the United States. But while Threads dominates on mobile, X still holds a strong lead on the web, raising questions about what this milestone really means for the future of public conversation online.
How Threads Quietly Took the Lead
Unlike the explosive launch that brought 100 million users to Threads in its first five days back in July 2023, its recent ascent has been methodical. Between late October and early November 2025, Threads crossed a critical threshold: it began consistently drawing more daily mobile users than X globally. This wasn’t driven by viral hype or celebrity endorsements, but by incremental improvements—better moderation tools, faster performance, and a cleaner interface that prioritizes readability and real-time updates.
Meta also leaned heavily into its existing ecosystem. With over 2 billion Instagram users, the company made it effortless to migrate followers and maintain identity across platforms. For many users frustrated by instability and policy whiplash on X, Threads offered a familiar yet refreshed alternative—without requiring them to rebuild their audience from scratch.
X’s Mobile Decline Accelerates in the U.S.
While Threads gains traction worldwide, X is facing a steep drop in its most valuable market: the United States. Similarweb estimates that X’s daily active mobile users in the U.S. have plummeted to roughly half of what they were just one year ago. That’s a dramatic contraction for a platform once considered indispensable for journalists, politicians, and tech insiders.
Several factors appear to be at play. Persistent concerns over content moderation, frequent changes to verification and algorithmic feeds, and rising competition have all contributed to user fatigue. Meanwhile, Threads has maintained a relatively stable product experience, with Meta investing in AI-powered safety features and creator monetization tools that keep users engaged longer.
Notably, Threads hasn’t yet matched X’s depth of real-time news coverage or professional networking utility—but for casual users seeking low-friction social interaction, it’s increasingly becoming the default choice.
Web vs. Mobile: A Tale of Two Platforms
Despite losing ground on mobile, X remains dominant when desktop and laptop traffic are included. As of mid-January 2026, X attracted an estimated 145.4 million daily web visitors—more than 17 times Threads’ 8.5 million. When combining both mobile and web audiences, X still commands a larger total user base: roughly 270 million daily active users compared to Threads’ 150 million.
This split highlights a crucial divergence in how people use each platform. X continues to serve as a hub for professionals, researchers, and power users who rely on browser-based workflows, advanced search, and third-party integrations. Threads, by contrast, is designed almost exclusively for mobile-first, scroll-friendly engagement—a strategy that aligns perfectly with where digital attention is headed in 2026.
For Meta, that’s not a bug—it’s the feature. By optimizing Threads for quick, visual, and emotionally resonant interactions, the company is betting that the future of public conversation will happen on smartphones, not desktops.
Why This Milestone Matters Beyond the Numbers
The fact that Threads now leads in mobile usage isn’t just a vanity metric—it signals a broader realignment in social media behavior. Mobile devices account for over 70% of global internet usage, and platforms that prioritize thumb-scrolling, instant replies, and seamless media sharing are better positioned to capture attention in an increasingly fragmented digital environment.
Moreover, Threads’ rise reflects growing user demand for platforms that feel safer, more predictable, and less chaotic than X has become in recent years. While X leans into controversy and unfiltered discourse, Threads offers a curated, community-driven space that still allows for public debate—but without the toxicity that has driven many users away.
This doesn’t mean Threads is “winning” the social media war outright. But it does suggest that Meta has successfully carved out a sustainable niche in the post-Twitter era—one that could reshape how brands, creators, and everyday users think about real-time communication.
What’s Next for Threads and X in 2026?
Both platforms are far from finished evolving. Threads is expected to roll out enhanced creator tools, including expanded monetization options and improved analytics, later this year. Rumors also suggest deeper integration with Instagram Reels and WhatsApp status updates, potentially creating a unified “Meta feed” that spans multiple apps.
X, meanwhile, is doubling down on its vision of an “everything app,” pushing features like payments, long-form video, and AI chatbots. Yet these ambitions may struggle to gain traction if core user engagement continues to erode—especially among younger demographics who increasingly view X as outdated or overly combative.
The real test will be whether Threads can convert its mobile momentum into lasting loyalty. User retention, ad revenue, and content depth will determine if this lead is a temporary blip or the start of a new era in social networking.
Threads overtaking X in global mobile usage marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of social media. It’s not just about which app has more users on a given day—it’s about which platform best reflects how people actually want to connect in 2026. With its mobile-first design, emphasis on usability, and backing from Meta’s vast infrastructure, Threads has positioned itself as the calmer, more accessible alternative to X’s volatility.
That said, X’s enduring strength on the web ensures it won’t disappear anytime soon. Instead, we’re likely entering a period of coexistence—where two very different visions of public conversation compete for attention across different devices and user needs. For now, though, the momentum is clearly shifting toward Threads, and the rest of the industry is watching closely.
