Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Threads Surpasses X in Mobile Users Amid Controversies
Meta's Threads app has more people using it every day on their phones than Elon Musk's X app.
Threads has been growing steadily because it's easy to use and has lots of fun features.
Meanwhile, X has been having some problems.
People got upset when its AI tool, Grok, was used to make inappropriate pictures of real people.
Because of this, some people started using a different app called Bluesky instead.
Threads is now the more popular app for daily use on mobile devices.
Threads has 141.5 million daily active users on mobile, surpassing X's 125 million.
Threads' growth attributed to heavy promotion and regular feature updates.
X faces decline due to controversies, including Grok's misuse for inappropriate image generation.
Grok controversy led to investigations and restrictions on its features.
Bluesky saw a 50% increase in iOS installs following the Grok backlash.
- Who
- Meta's Threads and Elon Musk's X
- What
- Threads surpasses X in daily active mobile users
- When
- January 7, 2026
- Where
- Global, primarily on mobile devices
- Why
- Threads' steady growth and X's decline due to controversies
- Threads Daily Active Users
- 141.5 million (iOS and Android)
- X Daily Active Users (Mobile)
- 125 million
- Threads Growth
- 127% year-over-year
- X's Decline
- Controversies and content moderation issues
- Grok Controversy
- Non-consensual sexualized images of women, including minors
- Bluesky Downloads
- 50% increase in iOS installs post-Grok controversy
- Threads Features
- Interest-based communities, content controls, direct messaging, longer posts, disappearing content, in-app gaming
Sources
Elon Musk Calls For "Moral Constitution" For Grok After AI Misuse Backlash
How overworked is your ChatGPT? This X trend shows what your AI thinks of you
Meta's Threads Overtakes X In Daily Active Users On Mobile; Recent Controversies Blamed For Downfall
Elon Musk is hiring Indians to teach Grok AI Hindi and Bengali — no experience needed
UK mulls Australia-style ban on children using social media
WEF Davos 2026: Child safety is a major priority, says OpenAI’s Christopher Lehane amid Grok outrage
