Threads overtakes X in daily mobile users, signals shift in social media usage

The Meta platform has crossed 141.5 million daily mobile users, as of January 7, 2026; in comparison, X stood at around 125 million daily active users

by e4m Staff
Published: Jan 20, 2026 1:13 PM | 2 min read

The global social media landscape is witnessing a significant shift as Meta-owned Threads has overtaken X in daily active users on mobile devices. According to media reports citing data from market intelligence firm Similarweb, Threads recorded 141.5 million daily active users across iOS and Android as of January 7, 2026. In comparison, X stood at around 125 million daily active users on mobile platforms.

The development marks a notable milestone for Threads, which has achieved this scale within roughly 18 months of its launch. The data indicates that the change is the result of long-term usage trends rather than a short-term surge linked to recent controversies surrounding X. While X continues to dominate web usage, with significantly higher daily web visits than Threads, the battle for daily engagement on mobile devices is clearly tilting in Meta’s favour.

Threads’ growth on mobile has been gradual and consistent, reflecting a deliberate focus on product development and distribution. Media reports suggest that Meta’s extensive cross-promotion of Threads across Facebook and Instagram has played a central role in driving adoption, allowing the platform to tap into an already massive user base. At the same time, Threads has rolled out new features at a rapid pace and sharpened its focus on creators, strengthening its appeal as a daily-use platform.

Although X has faced regulatory scrutiny and investigations in multiple regions following issues linked to its integrated AI model, Similarweb’s data shows that Threads’ upward trajectory began well before these developments. This suggests that the shift is less about reactionary user migration and more about changing consumption habits in a mobile-first social media environment.

The data underscores a broader reality for digital platforms: dominance is increasingly determined by execution, user experience and ecosystem strength, particularly on mobile, where daily engagement is becoming the most critical metric.