All the apps that are in the 10 billion download club on the Google Play Store

The Google Play Store is home to many popular apps vital to your Android experience — so vital that they can sometimes be described as the beating heart of your new experience. Whether you own an app-centric device like a tablet or phone or a cloud-based machine like a Chromebook, ignoring the Play Store’s offerings would be a mistake (even if you aren’t keen on Google’s dominance).

As a result, many trusted apps are found here. Breaking 100 million downloads is impressive, but apps reaching the 10 billion downloads milestone are even more surprising and rare. To honor the apps that have reached that point, we’ve compiled a list of all the apps that have succeeded in receiving 10 billion downloads on the Play Store.

Related

Table of Contents

Toggle

5 reasons why the Google Play Store is better than other app stores

No one does it better than Google

12

Google Maps

A trusty navigation app to keep on hand

Google Maps is one of the most trusted navigation apps and services, if not the most. It’s installed on every Android device by default and offers plenty of helpful features while on the go. You can use Google Maps to locate nearby restaurants, remember your parking location, and even get directions for emergency shelters. Google Maps is exceptionally handy and becomes a must-have in almost any situation.

11

Google

A simplified search engine app

The Google app (also known as Google Search) is another app that has 10 billion downloads. Most people use Google as a web browser, even if this app focuses on performing searches. In other words, it’s helpful when you only want to search or look up news quickly. The app is simple and does the job, which is why many people have used it and still do. Moreover, it doesn’t leave out modern features like AI Overviews and Google Lens. The Google app is undeniably reliable and will remain that way.

10

Speech Recognition & Synthesis (Google)

Google’s tech for word and speech conversion

Google’s text-to-speech and speech-to-text technology is here in the Speech Recognition & Synthesis app. The app has built-in functionality that can convert on-screen text to spoken words using AI or convert your spoken words into text. The beauty of the app is that it works alongside other Google apps, such as Google Maps, Google Translate, Google Play Books, and other third-party apps. Essentially, the Speech Recognition & Synthesis app can work with apps that contain voice search functionality. Setting it up as the default option in your device’s settings is also relatively easy. Reaching the 10 billion download mark goes to show how widely used and effective these tools genuinely are.

9

YouTube

An online video-sharing platform

Another Google-owned app makes this list. Google acquired YouTube in 2006 after dumping $1.65 billion. According to data reported by DemandSage, YouTube has over 2.5 billion monthly active users. As of April 2024, YouTube became the second most popular social network worldwide. The YouTube app works on multiple devices, making it the go-to free and accessible video-watching and sharing platform for everyone. There’s no missing out on YouTube content, and that’s why it remains so popular even today.

8

Gmail

Google’s private and secure email app

Most users will likely already have a primary Gmail account registered with their Google account. But Gmail doesn’t gain the reputation it has just because it’s there to use. It is also considered one of the best email apps; you can set up spam filtering, create helpful rules to sort and organize, and even search through a messy, disorganized inbox to find what you need. The storage space is also generous (each Google account has a shared 15GB of storage). Setting up Gmail on your devices is simple, especially when most Android devices prefer connecting to a Google account. The app is practical and easy to manage, even using multiple accounts.

7

Google Photos

A front-runner photo management app by Google

Seeing Google’s photo management app on this list should not be a surprise. Google Photos functions more than just gallery storage; it is also where you can access AI editing tools using the Magic Editor and ask Photos’ smart search to locate your pictures using context. Google keeps transforming Google Photos into an all-in-one powerful photo management system, and we have already seen the fruits of its labor.

6

Android Switch

Top-tier transfer data tool built for Android

When you buy a new Android phone, transferring data from your old one is critical. The Android Switch is one of the best ways to do this (it comes pre-installed). The Samsung Smart Switch app works relatively similarly. It also works for transferring data with iOS. The Android Switch app is a great tool, making moving your data much less stressful than needed without requiring cables.

5

Google Drive

Google’s cloud-based service for storage and file-sharing

Google Drive is a vital backup and file transfer tool across multiple devices. It requires syncing a Google account, which most people should already have. Google Drive becomes an absolute must if you’re working off a Chromebook. Plus, sharing files through Google Drive makes sending Google Docs and Google Sheets between peers easy. Google Drive brings so much flexibility across Google apps, which is clearly reflected by the sheer number of downloads.

4

Facebook

Number one networking website and app

A social media app is bound to reach global popularity, but it will always be a race to see who gets there first. Facebook being the winner is to no one’s surprise. The app has steadily seen growth since the app’s release in 2010 (Android), thanks to the platform’s emerging popularity since the early-to-mid 2000s. The monthly active users stay in the billions; Statista reported over 3 billion users in July 2024. So, it’s no surprise that the app eventually reached over 10 billion downloads.

3

Android Accessibility Suite

Essential accessibility tools created by Google

Android Accessibility Suite is a collection of apps by Google that adds TalkBack, a Select to Speak function, and a revamped Accessibility Menu dedicated buttons for on-screen brightness, volume, power, and more. It’s directly integrated into the Accessibility options inside the settings. The Android Accessibility Suite is the go-to when you need to expand from the default options. There’s always been a demand for accessibility options in consumer tech, and this 10 billion downloads badge proves it.

2

Google Chrome

Google’s defacto web browser

Most people who own a smartphone will use it to browse the web. Google Chrome isn’t the default web browser for most Android phones. So, to see Google Chrome reach 10 billion downloads without it being forced as the default is impressive. Google Chrome competes with Samsung Internet, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox as a mobile web browser. Plus, there are other Chromium-based web browsers that people have opted into, such as Kiwi and Arc. Seeing Google Chrome remain a top choice when other browsers exist demonstrates Google’s dominance in the competition.

Related

10 best web browsers on Android in 2024

There are a lot of browsers out there, but only a handful we actually recommend

1

Gboard

A keyboard app worth keeping

The Gboard app is the default keyboard app for most Android users and a personal favorite to many. Google has done a lot of work since the app’s 2013 release. It includes notable features like offline voice typing and Google Translate support as well as fun creative options like emojis, GIFs, stickers, and the Emoji Kitchen. Gboard has come a long way since its initial release, and the recent 10 billion downloads badge shows that this app has plenty to offer.

Welcome to the 10 billion downloads club

Having an app join the 10 billion downloads club is quite a feat. Some extremely popular apps, like Instagram and Google Calendar (5 billion downloads), are inching closer but haven’t made it yet. Others, fighting for survival (but people still love), such as TikTok, have only reached over a billion. As you can see, it takes a lot to get there, but eventually, more will come.