Dubai, UAE – A newly released report has shed light on the mobile applications that garnered the most attention from UAE residents in 2024, with TikTok emerging as the undisputed leader.
According to Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile 2025 report, residents in the UAE spent a staggering 7.63 billion hours on the Chinese-owned platform throughout the year, averaging nearly two hours per day.
The report, which analyzed mobile app usage trends across the UAE’s 11.2 million residents, revealed that social media applications dominated user engagement. TikTok, in particular, saw unprecedented levels of activity, reaffirming its influence in the region.
Long Hours on TikTok
For many users, TikTok has become a significant part of daily digital consumption. Haleema Saud, a UAE-based student, admitted to spending up to eight hours a day on the platform when free.
“During the weekdays, I spend about three to four hours on TikTok, and on relaxed days, it can go up to eight hours,” Saud said. “I enjoy watching videos about cooking, baking, Islam, computer engineering, and working.”
Saud’s habits mirror a broader trend among UAE residents, who continue to dedicate extensive time to social media apps, with TikTok leading the pack.
The platform has consistently ranked as the most downloaded social media app in the country, outperforming competitors like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Messenger, and Telegram.
Global Concerns and Local Popularity
TikTok’s dominance in the UAE comes at a time when the app faces regulatory scrutiny worldwide.
In the United States, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order delaying a proposed ban on TikTok due to concerns over data security and potential spying allegations.
Despite such challenges, the platform remains widely used in the UAE, maintaining its position as the preferred social media app among residents.
Other Popular Apps in the UAE
While TikTok led the rankings, Dubai-based messaging platform Telegram secured the second spot, with residents spending an average of one hour per day on the app.
Other popular applications included WhatsApp Business, MX Player, Phone by Google, Google Maps, PLAYit, and Gmail.
Beyond social media, UAE residents engaged significantly with AI chatbots, software utilities, media and entertainment apps, and e-commerce platforms.
The demand for digital solutions across various sectors reflected the country’s growing reliance on technology for communication, shopping, and financial transactions.
Top Downloaded Apps of 2024
TikTok was also the second most downloaded app overall in the UAE, following VPN Proxy Master. Among financial apps, the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) app Tabby led the category, followed by digital wallets such as Taptap Send, C3Pay, and ADCB Hayyak.
In the shopping sector, Chinese e-commerce giant Temu topped the list of most downloaded apps in the UAE and 15 other major markets worldwide.
Known for its affordable pricing and direct-from-factory model, Temu capitalized on consumer demand for cost-effective alternatives amid inflation and economic uncertainty. Other leading shopping apps included Trendyol, Shein, Noon, and Amazon.
Conclusion
The Sensor Tower report underscores the increasing digital dependency of UAE residents, with social media and e-commerce apps shaping online behavior.
TikTok’s continued dominance highlights its role as a primary entertainment platform, while emerging financial and shopping applications reflect changing consumer priorities in an evolving digital landscape.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members