Top 10 Most Deleted Apps of 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, the lifespan of an app can be fleeting.

Driven by changing needs, evolving tastes, or even security concerns, we frequently bid adieu to once-beloved applications. This ushers in a constant cycle of app adoption and abandonment.

The year 2023 witnessed a changing landscape as users said farewell to apps that once held sway over their digital lives and said hello to new platforms. Here’s a look into the top 10 most deleted apps of 2023.

The Most Deleted Social Media Apps 2023

Social media apps have become ingrained in our daily routines, shaping how we communicate, share, and connect with others. Their popularity has fuelled a competitive market, with new platforms constantly vying for user attention. As soon as one social media app gains popularity, another may fade into obscurity.

Because staying relevant in the fast-paced world of social media is a daunting challenge, many platforms struggle to keep pace with evolving trends. Consequently, social media apps have fallen victim to being some of the most deleted apps of 2023.

This may come as a surprise to some. After all, TRG Datacenters reports that a whopping 92.7% of internet users are active on social media, underscoring our dependence on these platforms.

And this dependence is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Social media will, in all likelihood, remain integral to our digital lives as it continues to evolve and adapt. The only thing that will change in this regard is what social media platforms we use.

We better get used to it being “out with the old and in with the new” with the social media apps we use. Speaking of which, as we bid farewell to outdated apps, time to explore the top app deletions of 2023.

Top 10 Most Deleted Apps 2023

1. Instagram

Instagram’s reign as the top deleted app of 2023 has been widely documented, with publications like LinkedIn reporting that over 1 billion users globally bid farewell to the platform.

This may come as a surprise. After all, Instagram is widely regarded to be used by people of all ages and demographics and the platform has even evolved beyond being a mere social networking site to becoming a vital hub for businesses and marketing endeavours. Moreover, 2023 also saw the launch of Threads, a new app built by Instagram to share text updates and join public conversations.

However, despite Threads’ initial success, with 100 million users flocking to it within five days of its launch, the user base plummeted by 80%, signalling troubling times for Instagram.

2. Facebook

Facebook is another social media app that has fallen victim to 2023, especially among younger people. In fact, publications such as TRG Datacentres rank Facebook at the forefront of app deletions, tallying a staggering 3.03bn removals.

This may be a little less surprising. While Facebook just celebrated its 20th birthday, many weren’t in the mood to join the party. Since its inception, the platform has come under almost constant fire for controversies, particularly concerning privacy issues.  Just last month, Mark Zuckerberg was forced to appear before a Senate committee to apologise to parents who attributed their children’s deaths to suicides or drug overdoses linked to the platform.

Perhaps the moment has arrived for Facebook to step aside and make way for newer, more conscientious platforms to take centre stage. Yet, given Mark Zuckerberg’s persistent drive for dominance, there’s little to no chance of that.

3. Snapchat

Snapchat is another app which seems to have been kicked to the curb into 2023. Despite its long-reigning popularity, especially among younger people, Snapchat continuously comes in as one of the most deleted apps of last year.

Launched in 2011, Snapchat surged in popularity during its first few years on the market, but it seems it is finally struggling to keep up with user trends.

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4. Twitter / X

Twitter, or X, spent all of 2023 splashing our headlines. Elon Musk rebranded the app to X which has, admittedly, struggled to catch on. Musk also spent a substantial part of last year evolving and updating X to fit it with new features. Nevertheless, despite Musk attempting to make X the new “everything” app, this hasn’t stopped a dip in user statistics over the past months.

5. WhatsApp

Although still in regular use and ranking a little lower in the deletion stats, WhatsApp still took a hit in 2023, with thousands of users binning the app over the year.

Nevertheless, WhatsApp remains one of the most popular messaging apps with billions of monthly users active globally, so the forecast for 2024 still seems relatively strong.

6. Telegram

Telegram lets you access chats from multiple devices. Since its launch in 2013, Telegram quickly become one of the fastest messaging apps on the market, connecting people via a unique, distributed network of data centres around the globe.

But despite its strong run over the last decade, it seems Telegram is yet another messaging platform that is struggling to dominate the social media market.

7. TikTok

TikTok reached almost unprecedented levels of popularity during the pandemic. It quickly became impossible to escape videos of TikTok dances or hearing songs made famous by the app on the radio. The rise of the app even ushered in a new type of celebrity: TikTokers.

But will this historic rise meet with a tragic end? 2023 saw this social media platform, which once dominated our screens, take a serious hit in users across the globe. Are we seeing the beginning of the end of TikTok’s reign?

8. WeChat

While lower in the statistical rankings, WeChat, a prominent messaging app, experienced a decline in users last year. However, the platform still boasts billions of users, primarily concentrated in China and other Asian nations. With its stronghold over Asian markets, WeChat is likely to maintain dominance in this region, paralleling WhatsApp’s influence in the West.

9. YouTube

YouTube has historically held a special place as a beloved video-sharing app. Who could forget the classic ‘Charlie bit my finger’ videos that once captivated audiences worldwide? YouTube has been synonymous with laughter and global entertainment for years.

Although still a powerhouse with thriving YouTubers, the emergence of rival video-sharing platforms like TikTok has challenged YouTube’s dominance. Despite its enduring popularity, YouTube faced some setbacks last year as competition intensified.

10. Facebook Messenger

Just as Facebook has faced a downfall, so too has its affiliated messaging app. Again, thanks to the burgeoning competition from a multitude of messaging apps, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger has been placed in a precarious position. The app evidently finds itself grappling to maintain relevance amidst the evolving landscape of messaging platforms.