The social media world is changing faster than ever, and a major turning point has now arrived. Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users, showing a clear shift in how people around the world use text-based social platforms. As of January 2026, new data confirms that Threads has moved ahead of X on mobile devices, where most users spend their time every day.
This milestone is important because mobile apps now shape online conversations more than desktop websites. With this shift, Meta’s Threads surpassing X in global daily mobile users highlights how user habits, platform design, and ease of use can reshape the social media rankings.
Threads Overtakes X on Mobile: What the Numbers Say
Recent data from Similarweb shows that Threads has reached around 141.5 million daily active mobile users across Android and iOS. During the same period, X recorded roughly 125 million daily mobile users worldwide.
This change did not happen overnight. Threads has been growing steadily throughout 2025, and its growth picked up speed toward the end of the year. By early 2026, the trend became clear: Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users, and the gap continues to widen.
Mobile vs Web: Where the Real Battle Is Happening
Threads Leads the Mobile Experience
The biggest reason Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users is its strong focus on mobile users. Threads was built mainly for smartphone use, with a clean layout and easy navigation. Many users find it simpler and less stressful than X.
Threads first moved ahead of X in mobile users in September 2025. From October to December, its daily usage continued to climb, helped by regular updates and new features that made the app more enjoyable to use.
A major advantage is Threads’ connection to Instagram. Users can sign in quickly and follow the same accounts they already know, which removes one of the biggest barriers to joining a new platform.
X Still Leads on Desktop
While Threads dominates mobile, X still performs better on the web. X attracts about 145 million daily web users, compared to Threads’ 8.5 million. This shows that X remains popular with journalists, professionals, and users who rely on desktop browsing for news and discussions.
Still, advertisers and creators are focusing more on mobile engagement. That makes Meta’s Threads surpassing X in global daily mobile users especially important for the future of online content and marketing.
Total Daily Users: The Broader Picture
When mobile and web users are combined, X still leads overall:
X: Around 270 million total daily users
Threads: Around 150 million total daily users
Even so, mobile growth matters more than ever. As smartphones continue to dominate internet use, Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users becomes a strong sign of where social media is headed.
The U.S. Market Tells a Slightly Different Story
In the United States, X still has more daily mobile users than Threads, especially for politics, breaking news, and live sports updates. However, the gap is shrinking quickly.
Reports suggest that X’s U.S. mobile user base has dropped to nearly half of what it was a year ago. At the same time, Threads’ U.S. mobile usage has grown by about 42% year over year. If this continues, Meta’s Threads surpassing X in global daily mobile users may soon be reflected in the U.S. market as well.
Why Threads Is Growing So Fast
Strong Support From Meta’s Ecosystem
Threads benefits from being owned by Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg. Launched in July 2023, Threads was designed as a text-based companion to Instagram, making it easier for users to join and stay active.
Key Reasons Behind Threads’ Growth
Easy sign-up using Instagram accounts
Built-in follower connections
New community features and better content controls
Improved messaging and creator tools
A calmer and more brand-friendly environment
These factors help explain why Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users and continues to attract new audiences.
X’s Struggles and Changing User Preferences
X, under the leadership of Elon Musk, has seen major changes in how it operates. New rules, subscription features, and content policies have pushed some users and advertisers away.
There is also a clear age gap between the two platforms. Younger users already spend much of their time on Instagram and short-video apps. For them, Threads feels familiar and easy to use. X, on the other hand, is often seen as more intense and better suited for older users or professional discussions.
This shift in preferences plays a big role in why Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users.
What to Expect in 2026
As 2026 moves forward, the competition between Threads and X will focus on making money and keeping users engaged. Threads has access to Meta’s advertising system, which makes it attractive for brands. X is exploring payment services and other features to expand beyond social posting.
If current trends continue, Threads could reach 200 million daily mobile users by mid-2026. This kind of change has happened before in the tech world, such as when Alphabet overtook Apple in market value, proving that no company stays on top forever.
Final Thoughts: A Clear Turning Point in Social Media
The fact that Meta’s Threads surpasses X in global daily mobile users sends a strong message about how online communication is changing. While X remains important for real-time news and desktop users, mobile users are clearly shifting toward Threads.