--- title: Pixalate’s Q1 2023 Abandoned Mobile Apps Report - Review description: In this blog, Pixalate reviews the Q1 2023 Abandoned Mobile Apps Report, which analyzed apps from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that have been “abandoned.” image: https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Q1%202023%20Abandoned%20Mobile%20Apps%20Report%20Review%20Cover.png --- [![pixalate-full-logo](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pixalate_Logos/pixalate-full-logo.jpg?width=150&height=60&name=pixalate-full-logo.jpg "pixalate-full-logo")](https://www.pixalate.com) Search **Menu** ** ** ![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/Blog%20photos/pixalate-blog-bg.png) [Mobile Apps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/mobile-apps) | [Abandoned Apps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/abandoned-apps) | 3 min read # There are nearly 2 million abandoned apps across Google and Apple’s mobile app stores as of Q1 2023 Written by [Pixalate](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/author/pixalate) May 31, 2023 12:30:00 PM Pixalate recently released the [Q1 2023 Abandoned Mobile Apps Report](https://www.pixalate.com/q1-2023-abandoned-mobile-apps-report), analyzing apps from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that have been “abandoned.” An app is considered abandoned if it has not been updated in at least two years. [![Download the Report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2364596/bb3fff56-5346-4bd6-ba0c-63f76554ba75.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2364596/bb3fff56-5346-4bd6-ba0c-63f76554ba75) We thought it would be beneficial to highlight some of the most interesting findings. ## **+16% YoY increase in abandoned apps across the Google Play and Apple App Stores in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022** **![](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-56-1827-PM.png?width=956&height=536&name=undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-56-1827-PM.png)** **Number of abandoned mobile apps QoQ between Q1 2022 and Q1 2023; as measured by Pixalate:** - **Q1 2022 **- **1.69M+** - **Q2 2022 **- **1.63M+ ***(-3% QoQ)* - **Q3 2022 **- **1.76M+ ***(+8% QoQ)* - **Q4 2022 **- **1.86M+ ***(+6% QoQ)* - **Q1 2023 **- **1.97M+**** ***(+6% QoQ)*   ## **603k+ “Super-Abandoned” Apps on Google and Apple App Stores (last updated 4+ years ago)** **![](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-56-5018-PM.png?width=992&height=555&name=undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-56-5018-PM.png)** **Length of time since last update across the last 5 years; as measured by Pixalate:** **6 Months** - **Google** - **29%** - **Apple** - **35%** **6 - 12 Months** - **Google** - **13%** - **Apple** - **15%** **12 - 18 Months** - **Google** -** 10%** - **Apple** -** 10%** **18 - 24 Months** - **Google** -** 9%** - **Apple** -** 8%** **2 - 3 Years** - **Google** -** 17%** - **Apple** -** 13%** **3 - 4 Years** - **Google** -** 12%** - **Apple** -** 7%** **4 - 5 Years** - **Google** -** 5%** - **Apple** -** 3%** **5+ Years** - **Google** -** 6%** - **Apple** -** 9%** ## **5.7k Abandoned Apps with programmatic ads across the Apple and Google App Stores have no detected privacy policy** **![](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-56-7535-PM.png?width=901&height=507&name=undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-56-7535-PM.png)** **Estimated number of abandoned apps with programmatic ads, as measured by Pixalate, that have no privacy policy detected; Q1 2023:** **Total** - **Google** - **12k** - **Apple** - **3.1k** **Has Privacy Policy** - **Google** - **8.3k** - **Apple** - **1.2k** **Has No Privacy Policy** - **Google** -** 3.7k** - **Apple** -** 1.9k**   ## **108k developers have not updated 90% of the apps in their portfolio in 4+ years** **![](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-57-0151-PM.png?width=963&height=540&name=undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-57-0151-PM.png)** **Estimated number of developers with abandoned apps not updated; as measured by Pixalate:** **Total** - **Google** - **1.1M** - **Apple** - **710k** **Developers with 90%+ of their apps not updated in 2+ years** - **Google** - **390k** - **Apple** - **121k** **Developers with 90%+ of their apps not updated in 4+ years** - **Google** -** 81k** - **Apple** -** 27k** ## **30k+ of likely child-directed apps in the Google Play Store are “Super-Abandoned” (not updated in 4+ years)** **![](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-55-9152-PM.png?width=957&height=535&name=undefined-May-31-2023-03-52-55-9152-PM.png)** **Estimated number of child-directed apps that are ‘super-abandoned’; as measured by Pixalate:** - **Google** -** 30k ***(10%)* - **Apple** -** 39k ***(27%)* For more *Q1 2023 Abandoned Mobile Apps* analysis, download a free copy of the report here: [![Download the Report](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2364596/bb3fff56-5346-4bd6-ba0c-63f76554ba75.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2364596/bb3fff56-5346-4bd6-ba0c-63f76554ba75) *If you are interested in more insights like the above, across desktop, mobile and CTV devices,  please reach out to us using this*[*contact form*](https://www.pixalate.com/scheduledemo)*.* ***Disclaimer*** *The content of this press release, and the Abandoned Mobile Apps Report: Q1 2023 (the "****Report****"), reflect Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes can be useful to the digital media industry. Pixalate’s opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees. Pixalate is sharing this data not to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but, instead, to report findings and trends pertaining to programmatic advertising activity across mobile apps in the time period studied.* ### Search Blog Search ### Follow Pixalate ### Subscribe to our blog *By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use ](https://www.pixalate.com/terms)and [Privacy Policy.](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) Previous Story [← Pixalate Releases Mobile Publisher Trust Index for April 2023: WeatherBug, The Weather Channel Top Ad-Supported Apps on Apple App Store & Google Play Store in North America](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/publisher-trust-index-mobile-april-2023) [** ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog) Next Story [Mobile App Manual Review under COPPA Rule: ‘Mario Kart Tour' →](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/app-review-series-mario-kart-tour) ## You May Also Like These Stories on Mobile Apps [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Abandoned%20Mobile%20Apps%20Report%20-%20blog%20cover.png) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalate-releases-may-2026-global-abandoned-mobile-apps-report) [Mobile Apps](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/mobile-apps) ### [Pixalate Releases May 2026 Global Abandoned Mobile Apps Report: “Draw In™” at the top on Apple App Store, “GUNSHIP BATTLE: Helicopter 3D” tops Google Play Store](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalate-releases-may-2026-global-abandoned-mobile-apps-report) Jun 24, 2026 9:00:02 AM | 3 min read [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog%20Media/2026%20Covers%20and%20Images/MONTHLY%20MOST%20COMMON%20MOBILE%20AD%20FRAUD%20TYPES%20GOOGLE%20-%20APPLE%20BLOG%20COVER.png) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalates-may-2026-most-common-mobile-app-ad-fraud-types) [Ad Fraud](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/ad-fraud) ### [Pixalate Releases May 2026 Most Common Mobile App Ad Fraud Types: ‘High Risk Device ID’ Most Common Type Across Google Play Store (32%); ‘High Risk IP’ Most Common on Apple App Store (48%)](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalates-may-2026-most-common-mobile-app-ad-fraud-types) Jun 9, 2026 9:00:00 AM | 2 min read [![](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog%20Media/2026%20Covers%20and%20Images/MONTHLY%20TOP%20MOBILE%20AD%20FRAUD%20TYPES%20GOOGLE%20-%20APPLE%20BLOG%20COVER.jpg) ](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalates-april-2026-most-common-mobile-app-ad-fraud-types) [Ad Fraud](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/topic/ad-fraud) ### [Pixalate Releases April 2026 Most Common Mobile App Ad Fraud Types: ‘High Risk Device ID’ Most Common Type Across Google Play Store (28%); ‘High Risk IP’ Most Common on Apple App Store (23%)](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/pixalates-april-2026-most-common-mobile-app-ad-fraud-types) May 18, 2026 9:00:00 AM | 2 min read ** ### Subscribe to our blog *By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use ](https://www.pixalate.com/terms)and [Privacy Policy.](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) ![pixalate-logo-red-small](https://www.pixalate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2018NewTemplate/pixalate-logo-red-small.png?width=208&name=pixalate-logo-red-small.png "pixalate-logo-red-small") ** By entering your email address and clicking Subscribe, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) Products [Analytics](https://www.pixalate.com/products/analytics) [Blocking](https://www.pixalate.com/products/blocking) [Media Rating Terminal](https://www.pixalate.com/products/mrt) [Publisher Trust Indexes](https://www.pixalate.com/rankings/?group=app&reportId=publisherTrustIndex) [Seller Trust Indexes](https://www.pixalate.com/rankings/?group=app&reportId=publisherTrustIndex) [IoT Device Rankings](https://www.pixalate.com/rankings/?group=app&reportId=iotDeviceReach) Resources [Blog](https://blog.pixalate.com/) [Press](https://www.pixalate.com/press) [Careers](https://www.pixalate.com/jobs) [Team](https://info.pixalate.com/pixalate-leadership-team) Contact Email [** sales@pixalate.com ](mailto:sales@pixalate.com) [** privacy@pixalate.com ](mailto:privacy@pixalate.com) US: [** +1 888 749 2528 ](tel:+1%20888%20749%202528) EU: [** +44 (0)800 011 2050 ](tel:+44%20(0)800%20011%202050) Slack: [Join ATSAPI Slack Channel ](https://atsapi-pixalate.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-10dtow5cj-OEtlNr5yzJkrZMQUqcEEow#/shared-invite/email) Offices Global Offices US 1775 Greensboro Station Place, Suite 425, McLean, VA 22102 UK 20 North Audley Street London, W1K 6WE, United Kingdom EU 10 Earlsfort Terrace Dublin 2, D02 T380, Ireland Singapore 10 Anson Road, #22-02 International Plaza, Singapore 079903 [![facebook](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/facebook.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/pixalate) [![x](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/twitter-x.png) ](https://twitter.com/pixalateinc) [![linkedin](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/linkedin.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pixalate) ![wechat](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/wechat.png) [![slack](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/footer/icons/slack.png) ](https://atsapi-pixalate.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-10dtow5cj-OEtlNr5yzJkrZMQUqcEEow#/shared-invite/email) [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy) [GDPR Compliance](https://www.pixalate.com/gdpr) Disclaimer Copyright © 2025 Pixalate [Back to top **](https://www.pixalate.com/blog/q1-2023-abandoned-mobile-apps-report-review#) # Disclaimer Disclaimer: The content of this page reflects Pixalate’s opinions with respect to the factors that Pixalate believes can be useful to the digital media industry. Any proprietary data shared is grounded in Pixalate’s proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate’s opinions are just that - opinion, not facts or guarantees. Per the MRC, “'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes. Also per the MRC, “‘Invalid Traffic’ is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic.” ** ** *By clicking Download and entering your email address, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and have read and acknowledge our [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/2024-08-20_Pixalate_Privacy_Policy.pdf). *Copyright © 2025 Pixalate** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * × ## Subscribe to the Pixalate Blog The first step in ad fraud prevention. Loading... By entering your email address and clicking Submit, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy). ![pixalate-logo-white](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_V2_08_26_2016/logo/Pixalate_Logo_WHITE.png) ##### Contact Us12 Loading... ![pixalate-logo-white](https://www.pixalate.com/hubfs/Blog_V2_08_26_2016/logo/Pixalate_Logo_WHITE.png) ##### Download GSTI Loading... Schedule your demo today Please complete all fields Loading... By entering your email address and clicking Submit, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.pixalate.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.pixalate.com/privacypolicy). * * * * *