Meta’s Threads has officially crossed a major threshold in the social media rivalry with Elon Musk’s X. As of January 7, 2026, Threads recorded 141.5 million daily active users on iOS and Android mobile apps worldwide, edging out X’s 125 million daily active mobile users. This overtake, based on estimates from market intelligence firm Similarweb, marks the first time Threads has pulled ahead in daily mobile engagement since its launch in July 2023.
This shift is significant for anyone following social platforms, app trends, or digital habits in 2026. While X still commands a massive overall audience (over 270 million combined daily users when including web), Threads’ consistent mobile growth shows how Meta is capitalizing on cross-promotion from Instagram and Facebook, plus rapid feature rollouts. For tech-savvy users, creators, and marketers, this highlights a growing preference for mobile-first, text-based conversations in a post-Twitter era.
Mobile Dominance for Threads, Web Still X’s Stronghold
Here are the key figures as of early January 2026:
- Threads daily mobile users (iOS + Android, global): 141.5 million (as of January 7)
- X daily mobile users (global): 125 million
- Threads daily web visitors: ~8.5 million (across Threads.com and Threads.net, as of January 13)
- X daily web visitors: 145.4 million (as of January 13)
- Combined daily users:
- Threads: ~150 million
- X: >270 million
Threads’ lead is purely on mobile apps, where most social media time happens today. The overtake happened gradually between late October and early November 2025, driven by steady growth rather than a single viral moment.
Why Threads Is Winning on Mobile
Threads’ rise has been building for months. Key factors include:
Heavy cross-promotion from Meta’s flagship apps (Instagram and Facebook), making it easy for users to discover and try Threads.
Rapid addition of features that make the platform more engaging and useful (e.g., improved feeds, search, and creator tools).
A mobile-first focus that aligns with how younger users (especially Gen Z) consume social content.
No major drama or controversy driving a sudden exodus from X—instead, a slow, organic shift as people open Threads more regularly.
In contrast, X has faced challenges with declining US mobile users (down to roughly half of last year’s levels in some reports) and a heavier reliance on web traffic, where it still dominates.
Broader Trends: What This Means for Social Media in 2026
This milestone fits into larger 2026 patterns in the social landscape:
- Mobile-first dominance continues, with apps capturing the majority of daily engagement.
- Text-based platforms remain relevant even as video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) rules short-form content.
- Rivalry intensifies between Meta and Musk’s ecosystem, with Threads positioning itself as a calmer, more creator-friendly alternative to X.
- Web vs mobile split highlights different user behaviors—X retains power users who browse via desktop, while Threads appeals to on-the-go scrollers.
Threads’ combined daily users (~150M) still trail X’s total (>270M), but the mobile overtake is a psychological and strategic win for Meta. It shows the platform is becoming a daily habit for many, not just an occasional check-in.
Key Takeaway: Mobile Habits Are Shifting – Threads Is Becoming the Go-To App
In 2026, daily mobile usage is the battleground that matters most, and Threads has claimed an early victory by surpassing X on iOS and Android. While X holds strong on the web and overall reach, this data proves user behavior is evolving—quietly but steadily—toward Meta’s text-focused challenger.