The app usage patterns of US smartphone users altered significantly during 2Q 2020 in response to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, according to Strategy Analytics. App use increased by over 6 hours per month, the equivalent of 20 minutes per day, driven by strong growth in use of social networking apps, including Facebook and TikTok, and also mobile browsing.

The report tracks the usage of app categories and apps on a quarterly basis. Additional findings from the report includes the fact that the games category maintains top spot for monthly smartphone minutes, though minutes of use remained relatively static. Minutes of use of social media apps have increased 21% year-on-year, while time spent in video entertainment apps declined as customers defaulted to other devices with bigger displays and in some cases better user experience.

Apps in the Business & Finance category also increased minutes spent on apps in total.

“Our data illustrates on an on-going basis how smartphone behaviors are clearly shifting as users observe stay-at-home orders and adapt to new norms as a consequence of COVID-19. This includes strong declines in the use of apps in the transport category, where engagement declined 44% year-on-year, the travel and location app category which fell almost 35%, and a 68% rise in the business and finance category, which includes video conferencing apps like Zoom," said Nitesh Patel, Director at Strategy Analytics.

“While overall smartphone app usage has increased new behavior is being shaped not only by new restrictions, but also by consumers meeting their information, communication and entertainment needs through alternative devices like tablets, PCs, games consoles and smart TVs,” noted Barry Gilbert, Vice President at Strategy Analytics.