Apple App Store Generates ₹44,447 Crore in Sales and Billings in India in 2024

The Apple App Store ecosystem in India facilitated an impressive ₹44,447 crore in billings and sales in 2024, according to a report published by Apple. The data is based on a study conducted by Professor Viswanath Pingali from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. This reflects the growing influence and expansion of the app economy in India.

Developers Reap Over 94% of App Store Earnings in India

The report highlighted that over 94% of the billings and sales generated through the App Store in India went directly to developers. Apple did not take any commission on these sales. This model has significantly empowered Indian developers, enabling them to benefit almost entirely from their creations and innovations on the platform.

Indian Developers See Global Earnings Triple in Five Years

The study further noted that the global earnings of India-based developers have tripled over the past five years. This demonstrates not only the growth of the domestic app market but also the increasing success of Indian developers on the international stage.

Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, expressed his enthusiasm, stating,

"The App Store has been an economic miracle for developers in India and around the world, and we’re thrilled to support their work. This study underlines the power of India’s incredibly vibrant app economy."

He also reiterated Apple’s commitment to investing in developers of all sizes as they continue to build impactful applications.

Breakdown of App Store Revenue in India in 2024

Professor Pingali’s study provided a detailed breakdown of how Indian developers generated revenue through the App Store in 2024:

• Physical goods and services sales: ₹38,906 crore

• In-app advertising revenue: ₹3,014 crore

• Digital goods and services revenue: ₹2,527 crore

This diversified revenue stream shows that developers are effectively capitalizing on multiple monetization models beyond just in-app purchases.

Indian Developers Active Across Multiple App Categories

Indian developers have shown tremendous versatility by focusing on a wide range of app categories. According to the report, the most popular segments include:

• Gaming

• Health and Fitness

• Lifestyle

• Utilities

This diversification has contributed to the strong domestic and international demand for apps created in India.

Global Success: 80% of Earnings from Outside India

Another key finding from the study revealed that nearly 80% of the App Store earnings of India-based developers came from users outside the country. Additionally, 87% of Indian developers were active on multiple storefronts globally.

This international presence underlines India's emergence as a global force in the mobile app development ecosystem.

Massive Growth in Global App Downloads from Indian Developers

In 2024, global users downloaded apps from Indian developers more than 755 million times through the App Store — twice as many downloads as recorded five years ago.

Furthermore, apps from India frequently appeared in the most-downloaded charts outside India, strengthening their global reputation.

Some notable highlights:

• Indian apps were among the top 100 most-downloaded apps in 70 different storefronts worldwide.

• India-based apps consistently gained visibility in competitive markets outside of Asia.

Conclusion: A Booming App Economy in India

The report reinforces India's dynamic role in the global app development market. With continued support from platforms like Apple's App Store and an increasing international user base, Indian developers are poised for even greater success in the coming years.

Apple’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and providing opportunities for developers promises a bright future for the Indian app ecosystem.