TikTok, the Most Downloaded App of 2021

TikTok was the most downloaded application globally in 2021. This short-form video platform surpassed several applications under the Meta holding company, namely Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

According to AppTopia research, TikTok recorded 656 million downloads in 2021. Instagram came in second with 545 million downloads. Facebook ranked third with 416 million downloads.

The messaging application WhatsApp ranked fourth with 395 million downloads, followed by another messaging application, Telegram, in fifth place with 329 million downloads.

TikTok's popularity was boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic situation forced people to stay home and seek entertainment. TikTok's global success is attributed to two strategies. First, its parent company, ByteDance, launched two versions of the application: one for the Chinese market (Douyin) and one for the global market (TikTok).

The second strategy involved TikTok's user-friendly app design. After downloading the platform onto their phones, users didn't need to follow other accounts first.